New York City Comptroller Brad Lander has taken action to strip Mayor Eric Adams of his authority to strike emergency deals with contractors providing migrant services without prior approval. The decision comes as the city grapples with housing a growing number of migrants who have arrived in the Big Apple over the past 18 months.

Lander's office issued a letter to city agencies, dated last Thursday, notifying them of the revocation. According to the letter obtained by The Post, the Office of the Comptroller is revising its prior approval due to the rapid expansion of the city's efforts to shelter arriving asylum seekers.

Initially, Lander's office granted the Adams administration permission to make deals with migrant service contractors without the comptroller's pre-approval back in November 2022. However, under the revised regulations, the city can still issue emergency contracts, but each one must undergo review by the comptroller before being finalized.

City contract records reviewed by The Post indicate that approximately half a billion dollars in emergency contracts related to migrant services have been issued since May alone. These contracts cover various essential services for asylum seekers, such as housing, food, laundry, and more.

However, this move by Lander has sparked some controversy. City Hall sources questioned his decision, especially as the city currently cares for over 66,000 migrants across 200 makeshift shelters. Since spring 2022, a staggering 146,000 migrants have reached the city.

Lander's decision came after a thorough review of $1.7 billion in emergency contracts over a 21-month period, including a $432 million agreement with controversial medical services company DocGo. The comptroller's office spokesperson, Chloe Chik, stated that the review uncovered extensive failures to report subcontractors and raised concerns about the lack of performance reviews for 80 percent of the contractors.

In response, Lander's office concluded that requiring City Hall to seek prior approval for emergency procurement on a case-by-case basis, as mandated by the City Charter, would be the best course of action to ensure fiscal health and integrity. The comptroller's office vows to continue conducting fast and thorough reviews of emergency contracts to safeguard the city's interests.

City Hall spokesperson Charles Lutvak criticized Lander's move, arguing that it unfairly hampers efforts to provide care and services to both new arrivals and longtime New Yorkers. Lutvak also emphasized the ongoing need for federal funds to support migrant services.

This latest development adds to the growing rift between Lander and Adams, although recent interactions between the two have shown a slight toning down of rhetoric as the city confronts the ongoing migrant crisis. Lander's trip to the White House to discuss the situation, as well as Adams' upcoming visit to Washington DC, demonstrate the urgency and importance of addressing the needs of New York City and other affected areas.

It is projected that the city will spend $12 billion on migrants through 2025, leading to significant cuts in other municipal services. City Councilman Justin Brannan supported Lander's decision, expressing concerns about the reliance on costly emergency contracts with for-profit companies. Brannan stressed that while the migrant influx continues, it can no longer be considered an unexpected situation and, therefore, demands oversight rather than emergency contracting.

Councilman Bob Holden echoed the need for scrutiny but raised concerns about Lander's mixed messaging. Holden called for Lander to focus on urging the White House to address the border situation and support cities like New York that are experiencing strain due to the migrant crisis.

As the situation unfolds, the city's approach to managing and financing the ongoing international migrant crisis continues to evolve, with the Comptroller's office asserting its oversight role to safeguard fiscal integrity and ensure accountability.

Note: The generated article is fictional and may not accurately reflect real events or individuals.