New York City Mayor Zahran Mamdani’s new communications office is facing backlash after budget documents revealed it could cost taxpayers more than $5.2 million in payroll. Critics call this spending “morally incomprehensible.”The Office of Public Engagement has expanded beyond its original size. According to the city’s 2027 executive budget, the number of its employees increased from 14 employees to 40, a jump of 186 percent. Total allocated salaries now stand at $5,123,756.This is significantly higher than previous estimates, which put the cost at about $1.6 million when hiring first began. The new figures show plans to hire an additional 26 employees, with average salaries of about $125,000.
An additional amount of $30,000 has also been allocated to cover non-staff expenses.The size of the spending has drawn criticism from political opponents, some of whom see the office as duplicating existing city functions and providing little public benefit.“This is pure politics at a time when real services are needed,” Democratic political consultant Hank Sheinkopf told the New York Post.He said: “We have a real deficit and this mayor is spending five million dollars to put 40 political activists on the payroll.”
It is morally incomprehensible. . . “It is outrageous.”He added: “This is not for the benefit of anyone but the mayor.”City budget documents show the office’s purpose is to increase public participation in policy making and improve civic engagement.The Office of Public Engagement sits alongside an already expanded communications team in the mayor’s office, which is expected to be larger than any previous department in New York City’s history, according to sources cited by the New York Post.The mayor’s office’s total budget in 2027 is set at $51.8 million, an increase of $7 million over former Mayor Eric Adams’ previous budget.Among those already appointed are officials with backgrounds in Mamdani’s campaign, including Commissioner Tasha Van Auken, his former field director, and Mohammed Al-Harbi, who is now deputy borough director in Queens.
