Steven R. Winters-Bona

The Audit Committee meeting focused on an audit report from KPMG, which concluded with an unmodified clean opinion on the financial statements, with no identified significant deficiencies or material weaknesses. The committee reviewed financial results, including debt issuance activities and construction management projects. The committee also discussed the adoption of GASB Statement 105, investment portfolio updates, and the upcoming requirement to file reports with the Office of the State Controller. A resolution was passed to recommend the approval of the financial statements to the full board.

The board meeting included the appointment of new members to the audit committee, a review and approval of financial statements, and the adoption of the annual investment report and authorities budget office report. Discussions also covered several financing transactions, including PIT sales tax bonds, Northwell Health obligated group financing, and a lease transaction for NYSARC. Leadership updates were provided, including the announcement of a new managing director of construction.

The committee discussed the authorization for issuing up to $2.5 billion in tax-exempt or taxable bonds for the City University of New York, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the State University of New York, and community colleges. Additionally, the committee reviewed and recommended approval for an $800 million bond issuance for Northwell Healthcare to support construction and renovation projects, as well as a $27 million tax-exempt leasing program transaction for the ARC New York to finance motor vehicles and other capital equipment.

The board discussed and authorized financing resolutions for New York University bond refunding to achieve interest rate savings. The President's report highlighted recent public finance activities including bonds issued for Columbia University, ongoing school district pool financing, and various campus visits and community development initiatives across New York state, such as infrastructure upgrades supported by the New York Swims and New York Bricks programs. Leadership updates were announced, including promotions for the Chief Diversity Officer and the Director of the Opportunity Programs Group, as well as the retirement of the Managing Director of Construction.

The committee discussed a financing request for New York University involving a bond issuance not to exceed $500 million for a term of up to 20 years. The proceeds are intended for refunding existing bond series to achieve interest rate savings, estimated at approximately $39.2 million in net present value. The committee reviewed the university's recent financial and enrollment data, including positive net income margins and growth in unrestricted net assets, before moving to recommend the financing proposal to the full board.