NEW ORLEANS, LA — New Orleans City Council Budget Committee Chair
Councilmember Lesli Harris announced today that the City of New Orleans will
receive $5 million in cash reserves from the Municipal and Traffic Court of New
Orleans, following collaborative work between the Council and the Court.

The transfer of these funds will provide an important boost to the City’s finances as
leaders work to navigate ongoing fiscal challenges while maintaining essential
services for residents.

Councilmember Harris worked with the Council fiscal staff and the Municipal and
Traffic Court led by Judge Bobby Jones to identify the available cash reserves and
facilitate the return of these funds to the City’s budget.

“At a time when we are carefully evaluating every dollar in the City’s budget, securing
these funds is an important step in strengthening our financial position,” said
Councilmember Lesli Harris, Chair of the City Council’s Budget Committee. “I’ve
said repeatedly that the City needs to shake every couch cushion we can find to
make sure we are using our resources responsibly. This is a perfect example of that
approach, working collaboratively to identify funds that can be returned to the City
and put to work for our residents.”

The $5 million will help support the City’s broader financial planning efforts and
assist in maintaining services that residents rely on.

As Budget Chair, Councilmember Harris has focused on strengthening financial
oversight, identifying available resources, and ensuring the City is positioned to
address its current budget challenges while continuing to invest in neighborhoods
across New Orleans