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NEW ORLEANS, LA - Beginning on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, the City Council held the first of several 2026 Proposed Budget Hearings. The Council conducted two additional hearings on October 15 and 16 during the first week of the 2026 budget season. Throughout this initial week, Council members met with representatives from the Department of Finance, the Chief Administrative Office, the Louisiana Legislative Auditor, Michael J. Waguespack, and others. The Council also received presentations on the Capital Budget and the Five-Year Capital Plan, beginning on the third day of hearings.
Day One
Representatives from the Department of Finance delivered a presentation to the Council covering several key topics related to the 2026 budget. They first reviewed the department’s 2025 goals across revenue, treasury, accounting, procurement, and retirement. The Department of Finance had completed most of its goals, with some progress still required on a few remaining objectives. Representatives also outlined the department’s goals for 2026, which include completing the FY2025 audit by June 30, 2026, and establishing and publishing procurement timelines to identify potential delays, among other objectives. To view the full presentation, click here.
Members of the Chief Administrative Office (CAO) also presented before the Council, detailing the status of department goals for 2025 and 2026, as well as budget summaries for 2025 and budget requests for 2026. Overall, the 2026 proposed budget for the Chief Administrative Office, Office of Budget, and Internal Audit and Management was $1,187,745—down $363,227 from the 2025 adopted budget. The CAO’s presentation, available here, concluded with a discussion of potential impacts the department may experience in 2026.
Day Two
On Day Two, the Council received a budget presentation from the Orleans Parish Communications District (OPCD), which detailed the agency’s 2025 accomplishments and 2026 goals. Among these goals were completing the Fire Station Alerting Project and developing and implementing a two-way, AI-driven language translation system to assist callers who do not speak English as their primary language. The OPCD requested a FY2026 budget of $22,213,494, formulated based on personnel and operating costs not covered by 9-1-1 fees. To view the full presentation, click here.
The Council also received a presentation from Louisiana Legislative Auditor Michael J. Waguespack, CPA. Waguespack informed the Council that the projected deficit for the 2025 budget is approximately $160 million. However, he noted that the city ended the previous year with about $206 million in unspent funds. While these funds could help offset the deficit, doing so would leave little in reserve for future needs. Waguespack emphasized the importance of transparent communication between the administration and the City Council, noting that monthly revenue and expenditure reports from the administration will be crucial throughout 2026. To see the full presentation, click here.
Day Three
To begin Day Three, Council members received presentations on the proposed 2026 Capital Budget, the Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan, and capital projects. The 2026 Capital Budget presentation also addressed the 2025 bond propositions that will appear on the November 15 ballot. These propositions—approved by the Council via resolutions in August—include the following: Affordable Housing, $45 million in general obligation bonds; Stormwater and Drainage, $50 million; and Infrastructure, $415 million. Should voters approve these measures, the bonds would be essential for maintaining city projects and infrastructure, including street repairs, drainage improvements, and related initiatives critical to New Orleans’ long-term resilience.
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