The calls for more funding were echoing off of the City Hall steps. Advocates for immigrant communities were demanding millions more in funding for their programs.

It’s that time of year—budget season.

“Right now, it’s so important that we make it clear we need a budget for this program,” Councilwoman Sandra Ung said, who joined the advocates on Thursday.

Councilwoman Carmen De La Rosa was also there.

“It’s about prioritizing those most in need — marginalized communities across the city,” she said.

On Thursday, the council’s budget team was behind closed doors for hours trying to solidify the last deal with the new mayor. The mayor proposed a 99.7 billion dollar budget in April. At issue now is a $215 million cut at the Department of Education.

“It’s a concern and making sure that folks understand what those cuts look like and why they are happening and how it’s based on a formula is important and I think City Hall has to articulate that,” Justin Brannan, Finance Committee Chairman said.

An Adams administration official says the funding decrease is because of a drop in enrollment in schools during the pandemic. This funding cut is about right sizing these budgets. Late Thursday the school’s chancellor, David Banks, issued this statement: “Our Administration has been clear from the beginning—we are going to do what is best for young people at every turn. The majority of a school’s funding is tied to enrollment, and over the past two years, we’ve been able to shield schools from a decrease in funding due to federal aid. That aid ends in two years and we owe it to our current and future students not to impose steep, drastic reductions in funding when it runs out. We are supporting schools in this transition by cushioning the impact on schools both this year and next year using the remainder of federal funds, while keeping every school at 100% of Fair Student Funding as promised.”

But it’s at least one issue that was holding up a final deal on Thursday.

“The general consensus is that there are a ton of resources within the Department of Correction,” Councilwoman Carlina Rivera said, the chair of the criminal justice committee at the council. “It’s a question of mismanagement and really making sure what’s already there. So our discussions, including the department of corrections and the hiring of more officers, is certainly one of the deal breakers within the discussion itself.”

Elsewhere sources say the council is fighting a push by the Adams administration to add 578 new correction officers. It’s unclear if the council will agree to increase headcount at the Department of Correction.

“We want to make sure no New Yorker is left out of the recovery that goes to everything from schools, and making sure we have summer youth employment programs, making sure our tourism and cultural sectors are healthy and alive and making sure we’re doing basic services, like sanitation and public safety and much more,” said Councilman Keith Powers.

Sources tell NY1 the council is also pushing to increase trash pickup and for a property tax rebate.

There is still time to come to a final agreement. The budget is not due until the end of the month.