NEW ORLEANS, LA – At its regular meeting today, the City Council adopted several pieces of legislation, including an ordinance to create a special fund relating to the Caesar’s New Orleans Casino. The Council also adopted a resolution to consider revising the integrated resource plan rules regarding Distributed Energy Resources (DER).
The Council closed the meeting with two special orders of business. The first special order recognized National Water Safety Month. Representatives from the New Orleans Health and Human Services Department, the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORDC), and the Department of Code Enforcement presented to the Council on the importance of water safety and swimming education, especially for youth.
Representatives spoke before the Council regarding the importance of National Water Safety Awareness Month.
The second special order of business was to honor Dwayne Johnson Jr. of St. Augustine High School for winning his third consecutive LHSAA State Gymnastics Championship this past April. Johnson was accompanied by family members and his gymnastics coach. The Council congratulated Johnson on his accomplishments and strong work ethic and wished him luck in his future endeavors, both inside and outside of gymnastics.
Dwayne Johnson Jr., along with members of his family and coach, with the New Orleans City Council.
Council Creates Caesars Casino Sale Proceeds Fund
The Council adopted Ordinance No. 35,432, creating the “2026 Caesars Lease Rent Strip Sale Proceeds Fund.” This dedicated City fund will hold proceeds from the sale of future lease payments from Jazz Casino Company, L.L.C., related to Caesars New Orleans Casino. The City expects the sale to generate at least $100 million in immediate capital to address New Orleans’ ongoing fiscal crisis, rebuild depleted reserves, and strengthen long-term financial stability without taking on additional debt or reducing services.
This ordinance requires the City’s Finance Director to deposit all sale proceeds into a separate, interest-bearing fund that the Director administers. The City Council must approve any spending or transfer of funds by ordinance. Interest and investment earnings will remain in the fund and be subject to the same restrictions. Additionally, this ordinance establishes annual reporting requirements to ensure transparency.
Council Appropriates $5,000 Health Outreach Grant
The Council adopted Ordinance Nos. 35,435 and 35,436, which amend the Operating Budget and Revenues and Expenditures, respectively. These ordinances appropriated a $5,000 grant to the Health Department to support community outreach staff working to promote healthy behaviors and improve access to high-quality healthcare.
Wexford Jail Healthcare Contract Extended Through 2027
The Council adopted Motion M-26-199, which authorizes the New Orleans City Council President to sign a one-year extension of the City’s contract with Wexford Health Sources, Inc. to continue providing comprehensive healthcare services for inmates at the Orleans Parish jail. The contract extension runs from June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2027, with a maximum City cost of approximately $24.3 million.
Sheriff Michelle Woodfork appearing before the City Council.
New Docket Launched to Update Entergy IRP Rules on Distributed Energy
The Council adopted Resolution R-26-220 (Docket No. UD-26-01), which establishes rulemaking to consider revising Entergy New Orleans' (ENO) Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) rules related to Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), such as solar, battery storage, and other decentralized energy technologies. Council advisors and Entergy provided recommendations and comments that prompted the review, which cites significant technological and market changes since the IRP rules were last updated in 2017.
The resolution establishes Docket No. UD-26-01 appoints a hearing officer and sets a procedural schedule through August 2026. It also directs Entergy, Council advisors, and stakeholders to participate in technical discussions and to submit proposed rule changes on how DERs are incorporated into energy planning and demand-side management analyses.
To view the meeting agenda, click here.
To view the meeting, click here.