Financial Update from the CAO
Members of the administration, including CAO Joe Giarrusso, gave a presentation before the committee providing updates on the City's current financial situation.
The presentation highlighted that although the City is operating within its 2026 budget, significant cash flow challenges persist due to inherited financial obligations, delayed reimbursements, and reliance on one-time revenues, among other factors.
Over the past ten months, the administration and City Council have implemented cash management strategies that have generated approximately $131,500,000 in available cash and pushed the projected cash shortfall to August 2026. Despite revenues exceeding expenditures by $103,671,139 through June, only $38,700,000 in cash was available at the end of July due to debt repayments and timing differences.
The administration estimates the City still needs approximately $110,500,000 to operate through the end of the year and projects a potential $125 million structural budget gap in 2027. The presentation emphasized that ongoing spending reductions, recurring revenue growth, and continued collections of outstanding reimbursements will be necessary for long-term financial stability.
To view the full presentation, click here.
Drone Usage Reporting Ordinance
The committee recommended approval of Ordinance No. 35,523, as amended, which would amend the City Code to expand the NOPD reporting requirements related to its drone program. In turn, the ordinance would increase transparency and Council oversight of the department's use of drone technology.
Under this ordinance, NOPD would be required to provide quarterly updates on significant drone activity, including changes in drone usage, policy compliance, safety or equipment concerns, and deployment equipment, in addition to existing quarterly public safety oversight meetings.
The ordinance also strengthens monthly data reporting requirements by requiring NOPD to submit drone flight logs to the City Council and publicly publish detailed drone deployment data. This would include flight locations, purpose, duration, operational outcomes, personnel involved, and whether deployments were part of the Drone as a First Responder program alongside existing public safety datasets.
The amendment expands the proposed police drone reporting requirements by increasing transparency around who is requesting and overseeing drone deployments. It requires the New Orleans Police Department to include, in its quarterly reports, all agencies, offices, and City departments that requested drone deployments.
It also adds two new monthly public reporting requirements for each drone deployment: the identity of the supervising officer and the agency, office, or City department that requested the deployment.
Appointments for Boards and Commissions
The committee discussed and voted on several Board and Commission appointments. The committee favorably recommended Arkebia Matthews to the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA). Cressida L. Rhodes-Polk was favorably recommended to the New Orleans Public Library Board.
LaTanja Silvester and Earl Williams' appointments to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board were deferred to a later date.
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