|
NEW ORLEANS - On Wednesday, August 13, 2025, the Budget, Audit, and Board of Review Committee met to discuss several key revenue topics, including trash collection contracts in the French Quarter and Downtown Development District, the Wisner litigation, the Orleans Parish School Board litigation, and more.
The Committee also recommended several ordinances and amendments to service agreements for approval. Additionally, the Committee recommended resolution R-25-437 and motion M-25-436 for approval. R-25-437 will provide for the incurring of debt and the issuance of $45 million of Taxable Limited Tax Revenue bonds. M-25-436 would approve amendments to the Classified Pay Plan for the Sewerage and Water Board, creating a new job series with four positions.
Finally, the Committee received a budget report for the period ending June 30, 2025, from the Chief Administrative Office (CAO) and Finance representatives.
Budget Committee Discusses Trash Contracts, Wisner Litigation, and More
Representatives from the CAO's office and the City Attorney, Donesia D. Turner, spoke with the Budget Committee about several key revenue topics. The first was the administration's stance on trash contracts in the French Quarter and the Downtown Development District. While Committee Chair Giarrusso recused himself from the discussion, Committee member Morrell voiced concerns about the Council defending itself against Henry Consulting and asked the City Attorney for assistance. Turner assured Morrell she would investigate the request but expressed concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
City Attorney Donesia D. Turner with CAO office representatives speaking before the Budget Committee.
Next, the Committee discussed the administration’s stance on aligning itself with the City Council in the ongoing Wisner Trust litigation. Members pressed representatives on issues such as the status of the millions of dollars the City is supposed to receive from an escrow related to the Wisner trust, and why the administration would align with the Wisner heirs if it meant the City would receive less money from the litigation.
The Committee then discussed the administration's position on aligning itself with the City Council in the Orleans Parish Board litigation. A topic of discussion among the Committee was the passing of ordinance No. 30,291, which prohibits the City from collecting certain ad valorem and sales tax revenues on behalf of the Orleans Parish School Board following the dispute that led to Orleans Parish School Board v. City of New Orleans. Despite this ordinance passing, the Finance Department has still collected those fees. The City Attorney stated that the fee was continuing to be collected due to the ongoing litigation. Committee Chair Giarusso stressed that all parties must reach an accommodation and that it would be preferable to come to that decision together as opposed to allowing the court to decide.
The Committee had several more key discussions, and those interested in further information can view the full meeting on the New Orleans City Council YouTube.
Budget Committee Recommends Several Pieces of Legislation for Full Approval
During the Budget, Audit, and Board of Review Committee meeting, members of the Committee recommended various pieces of legislation for full approval by the City Council. The Committee recommended for approval several amendments to City Service Agreements, including agreements with Archon Information Systems, LLC, Sher Garner Cahill Richter Klein & Hilbert, LLC, and Thompson Consulting Services, LLC.
The Committee also recommended several ordinances for full approval, many of which grant, appropriate, or transfer funds to different areas within the City. For a full breakdown of these ordinances, follow the link to view the online agenda for the meeting.
In addition to the ordinances recommended for approval, the Committee recommended resolution R-25-437 for approval. This resolution provides for the incurring of debt and the issuance of a maximum of $45 million of taxable limited tax revenue bonds of the City of New Orleans. These bonds would help pay legal judgments, settlements, and issuance costs and are backed by the City’s existing 12-mill property tax.
The Committee also recommended motion M-25-436 for approval as part of the Civil Service Pay Plan and Rule Amendments. If approved, this motion would authorize the creation of a new Sewerage and Water Board job series, effective August 24, 2025, establishing four “Utility Program Relations” positions—Liaison I, Liaison II, Lead, and Supervisor. These roles would manage both field and administrative public relations work for the Water Program Division, aiming to improve responsiveness and customer service, with funding confirmed by the Chief Administrative Office.
Committee member Jean-Paul "JP" Morrell speaking to representatives during the Budget Comittee meeting.
Finance Representatives Provide Budget Report Details
To end the Committee meeting, Chief Economist of the City of New Orleans, Matthew Cooper, and other representatives from the administration spoke with Committee members about revenue collection reports for the period ending June 30, 2025. Committee Chair Giarrusso expressed surprise that sales taxes only saw a 1% increase from last year and questioned if that number should be higher, given public events such as the Sugar Bowl, Super Bowl, and others taking place in 2025.
Cooper explained that, while there is between $8 and $10 million that the city can attribute to hosting the Super Bowl, there is a general long-term decline in the amount of revenue collected due to declining population, declining commerce, declining visitor spending, and inflation. Director of Finance, Romy Samuel, noted that Super Bowl revenue is continuing to come in as of August 13, 2025, and assured the Committee that they should see that number increase as the year continues.
|