NEW ORLEANS, LA – At its regular meeting today, the City Council adopted several pieces of legislation, including an amended ordinance to increase sanitation fees to offset rising collection costs and bring sanitation revenues more in line with service expenses. Additionally, the Council adopted an amended ordinance to impose a Carnival Gap Adjustment and Parades fee, among other measures.
Before the meeting began, the Council recognized Susan Larson for her retirement as the radio host behind WWNO's The Reading Life and Bookmark programming. Council members praised Larson as a staunch advocate and champion of literature and cited her book The Booklover's Guide to New Orleans as the definitive literary travel companion for our beloved city. While Larson could not attend in person, Paul Maassen and Joanna Sternberg of WWNO received the proclamation on her behalf.
Paul Maassen and Joanna Sternberg of WWNO received Susan Larson's proclamation on her behalf, pictured with Councilmembers Hughes, Green, and Harris.
Council Adopts Sanitation Fee Ordinance
The Council adopted Ordinance No. 35,384, as amended. The amended ordinance raises monthly sanitation fees to $32.25 for residential customers and $64.50 for non-residential customers from October 1, 2026, through December 31, 2027. The increases are intended to keep pace with higher collection expenses and bring sanitation revenues more closely in line with the cost of providing services. Beginning January 1, 2028, a new fee structure based on service costs will take effect.
The ordinance retains protections for low-income residents age 65 and older, allowing eligible households to receive an annual exemption from sanitation charge increases above the applicable historical rate.
Carnival GAP Fee Ordinance
The Council adopted Ordinance No. 35,495, as amended. The amended ordinance establishes a Carnival Gap Adjustment for Parades Fee (GAP Fee) to help offset the City's costs associated with all aspects of Carnival parades. The amendment replaces the original $850-per-float fee, capped at $45,000 per organization, with a three-tier flat fee based on the number of pull units used in a parade:
- 14–27 pull units: $4,250
- 28–36 pull units: $6,500
- 37–45 pull units: $8,500
The GAP Fee must be paid by April 30 following the parade, and carnival organizations must submit a sworn attestation confirming their pull-unit count. Organizations may prepay the fee beginning September 1 based on their previous parade's pull-unit count. If the actual parade places the organization in a higher fee tier, the organization must pay the difference by April 30.
Ordinance Strengthens Oversight of Public Project Contractors
The Council adopted Ordinance No. 35,543, as amended. The amended ordinance requires contractors working on public projects to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. It creates a fair process for the City to disqualify contractors that lack the necessary qualifications, experience, or capacity to complete publicly funded work. Contractors must also provide key disclosures during the bidding process and may face penalties for violations.
Resolution Supports Renovation and Expansion of Affordable Housing
The Council adopted Resolution R-26-362, which expresses the Council's support for assigning and extending an existing Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement for River Garden Apartments II in the Lower Garden District to help finance a nearly $10 million renovation.
River Garden Apartments II includes 310 mixed-income rental units and 25,000 square feet of commercial space. The redevelopment would increase affordable units from 124 to 153.
Motion Requires SWBNO to Develop $13 Million Repayment Plan
The Council adopted Motion M-26-368, which directs the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) to develop and approve a plan to repay $13 million it owes to the City of New Orleans.
Given the City's ongoing budget deficit and efforts to increase revenues and collect outstanding debts, the motion requires SWBNO's Board of Directors to approve a repayment proposal by October 1, 2026. SWBNO representatives must then present the proposal to the City Council at a meeting scheduled by the Council President.
To view the meeting agenda, click here.
To view the meeting, click here.