|
NEW ORLEANS, LA - On Thursday, August 27, 2026, the City Council held a Joint Budget/Audit/Board of Review & Public Works, Sanitation and Environment Committee Meeting to discuss and vote on several Civil Service Pay Plan-related motions. The joint committee also received a presentation from the Chief Administrative Office (CAO). Additionally, the committee discussed an ordinance to reform and provide for the sustainability of the City’s sanitation services by amending and reordaining sections of the City Code.
Financial Updates from CAO’s Office
The June 2026 Budget Reports show that the City remained in a favorable year-to-date financial position through June 30. Actual revenues totaled approximately $458.1 million, exceeding the $419.4 million budget and $443.3 million collected during the same period in 2025. Revenues were generally performing as expected or better, although sales tax collections were slightly below the prior year.
Personnel and other operating expenditures totaled approximately $354.4 million, representing 44.3% of the annual adopted budget, while June overtime spending was about $1.2 million below projections due to continued spending controls.
Overall, revenues exceeded expenditures by approximately $103.7 million year-to-date, while other financing activity in June resulted in a $48.2 million net increase in fund balance. The City had a 4% vacancy rate, with 214 budgeted positions unfilled, although the report notes that temporary Summer Youth positions partly influenced the decrease in vacancies.
Due to the hiring freeze, most vacancies are expected to remain unfilled except for essential or revenue-generating positions. As of June 30, the unaudited General Fund Consolidated year-to-date surplus, combined with the audited 2025 year-end balance, totaled approximately $278.4 million; however, the report cautions that this figure should not be used to project the full-year 2026 ending balance based on partial-year spending.
To view the full presentation, click here.
Civil Service Pay Plan Motions
The joint committee recommended approval for the following motions:
- Motion M-26-40 Health/EMS – Revised Special Rates of Pay for EMS
- Motion M-26-198 Health/EMS – Emergency Medical Services Series
- Motion M-26-355 Chief Administrative Office – Amendment to Civil Services Rules (Annual Merit-based Payments)
- Motion M-26-44 Chief Administrative Office – Centralized Adjudication Bureau Administrator
Items A-M, O-S, and T were deferred to the Budget meeting scheduled for October.
Discussion on Ordinance Regarding Sanitation Services
The joint committee discussed an amendment to Ordinance No. 35,384, which would establish an interim sanitation fee structure from October 1, 2026, through December 31, 2027. This ordinance would charge $32.25 per residential service location and $64.50 per non-residential location per month, plus an annual litter abatement charge of $125 or $5 per unit, whichever is greater.
Fees will be collected through water and sewer bills and are subject to a 15% late-payment penalty. Certain properties, including hotels, bars, restaurants, buildings with five or more units, and locations exceeding waste-volume limits, must use private waste collection and provide annual certification.
The ordinance exempts qualifying private collectors and low-income seniors, sets limits on City-collected waste, and requires annual publication of the fee methodology. The City will oversee enforcement, collection, and audits, while the Sewerage and Water Board is not responsible for unpaid sanitation charges. The interim fee structure expires December 31, 2027, with amended sanitation regulations taking effect January 1, 2028, subject to future Council amendments.
To view the presentation detailing the full list of changes, click here.
|