Committee approves requirement that fiscal impact statements be coordinated with the CFO, forwards ordinance to council

The Ordinance Committee on May 19 agreed to forward a revised financial-disclosure ordinance to the full Norwalk City Council after adopting a minor but key edit: fiscal impact statements must be completed in coordination with the city's chief financial officer.

"The fiscal impact statement or the written statement explaining that no fiscal impact statement could be prepared shall be completed in coordination with the chief chief financial officer or their designate," Councilmember Jaylen Seed said as he displayed the late change introduced after a conversation with Finance Director Jared Schmett.

Resident Diane Lorecella, speaking during public comment, said the proposal was a "terrific attempt" but urged safeguards so cost analyses remain politically neutral and publicly accessible. Committee members said the CFO coordination requirement is intended to ensure finance staff are engaged early to avoid last-minute omissions. The committee voted to forward the ordinance to the full council as amended; members indicated unanimous support.

The full council will consider the revised ordinance at its next regular meeting; staff said the change is procedural and intended to improve accuracy and transparency in fiscal analyses attached to proposed ordinances.