NEW ORLEANS, LA — Councilmember Lesli Harris was unanimously selected as Chair of the Budget, Audit, and Board of Review Committee on January 12th, and will serve as the Council’s voting representative on the Revenue Estimating Conference (REC). Harris will lead the Council’s budget work at a pivotal fiscal moment for the City of New Orleans over the next four years.
While Harris did not serve on the Budget Committee during her first term, she consistently attended budget meetings and asked detailed questions to prepare herself for this role. She enters this moment fully aware of both the seriousness of the city’s fiscal challenges and the responsibility this position carries.
“Considering the budget crisis our city is facing, I understand how important this role is,” said Councilmember Harris. “I’m committed to working alongside my Council colleagues to ensure the budget process is transparent, accessible, worthy of the public’s trust, and most importantly, help New Orleanians regain confidence in the City’s financial oversight.”
As Budget Chair, Harris will oversee the Council’s budget process, including monthly budget hearings and the continuation of weekly payroll meetings, ensuring close oversight of city finances and day-to-day operations.
Harris’s approach centers on strengthening collaboration, improving communication, and expanding the role of professional staff in supporting the Council’s work.
A key component of her tenure will be working closely with former Council colleague and Budget Chair Joe Giarrusso, who now serves as Chief Administrative Officer.
“Having served together on the Council, the CAO and I share institutional knowledge and a working relationship that puts us in a strong position to stabilize city operations and improve coordination across departments,” Harris said. “That collaboration will be especially important as we navigate a challenging fiscal moment.”
Under Harris’s leadership, the budget process will place a greater emphasis on inclusion of Central Staff throughout every phase, ensuring Councilmembers benefit from their technical expertise and analytical support.
“Serving as Budget Chair is a serious responsibility,” Harris added. “My goal is to demystify the budget and make sure every Councilmember has the tools and information they need to fully understand how city dollars are allocated and spent.”
Her priorities as Budget Chair include:
- Clarify the city budget so all Councilmembers and the public can better understand how funds are allocated and spent
- Increasing the involvement of Central Staff to enhance transparency and strengthen Council oversight
- Leveraging central staff expertise to help Councilmembers ask stronger questions and make more informed decisions
- Providing clear communication about tradeoffs, timelines, and fiscal constraints
- Establishing a process that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and public understanding
- Consistently meet with oversight agencies for insights and accountability
- Meet with fellow district councilmembers regularly to ensure their priorities are addressed to the best of our abilities, despite budget constraints
“This isn’t just about balancing numbers,” Harris said. “It’s about building a budget process that is accessible, honest about our challenges, and focused on making smart decisions that reflect our shared values as a Council and a City.”
More information about upcoming budget hearings and public engagement opportunities will be announced in the coming weeks.