Independent Budget Office for New York City

The Independent Budget Office is a publicly funded agency dedicated to enhancing understanding of New York City's budget by providing non-partisan budgetary, economic, and policy analysis for the residents of the city and their elected officials. IBO is an independent city agency. It does not report to one particular entity or group of entities, but instead is responsible to the people of New York City. Our principle users are the Comptroller, the Public Advocate, the members and committees of the City Council, the Borough Presidents, the city's 59 community boards, the media, and the civic and community organizations of New York. IBO regularly produces policy and fiscal briefs on critical issues confronting the city. These informative briefs have covered important topics such as city spending on schools, the cost of welfare reform, the tax burden on city residents, financing sports stadiums, and reporting on business retention incentives. IBO also publishes three annual reports required by the City Charter. Our Fiscal Outlook, issued prior to the upcoming fiscal year, provides an independent forecast of revenue and spending for the upcoming year. IBO's Analysis of the Preliminary Budget offers a comprehensive and detailed review of the Mayor's proposals, and we follow up with an Analysis of the Executive Budget that highlights changes from the preliminary plan.