New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s new communications office is facing criticism after budget documents revealed taxpayers could lose more than $5.2 million in salaries. Critics are calling this spending “morally incomprehensible”.The Office of Mass Engagement has expanded far beyond its original size. According to the city’s 2027 executive budget, its workforce is expected to increase from 14 employees to 40, an increase of 186 percent. The total salary allocation is now $5,123,756.This is much higher than earlier estimates, which put the cost at around $1.6 million when recruitment first began. The new data shows there are plans to bring on an additional 26 staff members, whose average salary will be about $125,000. An additional $30,000 is also set aside for non-employee expenses.The scale of the spending has been criticized by political opponents, some of whom argue that the office duplicates existing city functions and provides only 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 keep 40 political operatives on the payroll. It’s morally incomprehensible… It’s outrageous.”He added, “This is not for anyone’s benefit but for the mayor’s benefit.”City budget documents show the office aims to increase public participation in policymaking and improve civic engagement.According to sources cited by the New York Post, the Office of Mass Engagement sits alongside an already expanded communications team in the mayor’s office, which is expected to be larger than any previous administration in NYC history.The total budget for the Mayor’s Office in 2027 is set at $51.8 million, $7 million more than former Mayor Eric Adams’ previous budget.Those already hired include officials with Mamdani’s campaign background, including Commissioner Tascha Van Auken, her former area director, and Mohammed Alharbi, who now serves as deputy borough director for Queens.