Budget/Audit/Board of Review Committee Meeting – June 15, 2026

The Budget/Audit/Board of Review Committee of the New Orleans City Council met on Monday, June 15, 2026, at 1:00 P.M. Chairperson Lesli D. Harris presided, with all committee members present (Harris, Willard, Morrell, McCarron, King). Councilmember Eugene Green also attended. The committee considered a contract amendment, approved nine budget ordinances, heard presentations on the city's financial position and investment policy, and deferred a set of Civil Service pay plan amendments.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (May 19, 2026): Approved unanimously (5-0).
• Cal. No. 35,457 (Capital Budget Amendment): De-appropriated $522,688 and appropriated $3,404,091 across multiple departments for FEMA, Permanent Revolver, HMGP, State Aid, and Bonds. Approved 5-0.
• Cal. Nos. 35,458 & 35,459 (Health Department – Packard Foundation): Transferred $300,000 from Intergovernmental Revenues (Fund 6699) to Private Grants (Fund 4900) for the Family Connects Visiting Home Program. Approved 5-0.
• Cal. Nos. 35,460 & 35,461 (Sewerage & Water Board Power Plant): Transferred $5,000,000 from Intergovernmental Revenues to the Louisiana Dept. of Administration for capital outlay. Approved 5-0.
• Cal. No. 35,462 (Inspector General – Personnel): Transferred $100,000 from Other Operating to Personal Services within the OIG. Approved 5-0.
• Cal. Nos. 35,463 & 35,464 (Fire Department – Urban Search and Rescue): Transferred $250,000 to the Fire Department for Louisiana State Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 1. Approved 5-0.
• Cal. Nos. 35,465 & 35,466 (Workforce Development – Strengthening Community Colleges): Transferred $75,000 from Intergovernmental Revenues to the Department of Labor. Approved 5-0.
• Cal. Nos. 35,467 & 35,468 (Health Department – Tulsa Community Foundation): Transferred $47,658 from Intergovernmental Revenues to Private Grants for community health improvement planning. Approved 5-0.
• Cal. Nos. 35,469 & 35,470 (City Council – Legal Services): Transferred $340,000 from Intergovernmental Revenues to the General Fund for Wisner litigation and general legal costs. Approved 5-0.

Discussion Items

• Motion M-26-250 (Force 1 Protection Contract Amendment #5): The committee suspended its rules to add and consider a contract amendment between the Department of Public Works and Force 1 Protection for security at DPW facilities. Finance representative Kyle explained that the amendment covers sites transferred to NOPD and is needed to pay outstanding invoices; funds were already budgeted. The motion was approved 5-0.
• CAO/Finance Budget Presentation: Chief Administrative Officer D'orio and Deputy CAO Alyssa Beckens presented the city's financial status. Highlights:
  • Cash management fund balance: $65.3 million (originally targeted at $100 million, but deposits have reached ~$120 million; a $8 million assessor payment expected in July).
  • Infrastructure bond sale closed; the city received a $7 million premium.
  • Caesars proceeds held in a separate account have accrued over $225,000 in interest.
  • The 2025 audit is on track for completion by June 30, 2026, and will be shared with council upon filing.
  • Revenue collections: property taxes at 93% of budget, sales taxes at 39% (up from ~20-21% earlier).
  • April budget report: year-to-date revenues ($334 million) exceeded expenditures by $106 million; personnel expenses totaled $137.1 million; overtime spending in April was $1.8 million, significantly below the $4.19 million spent in April 2025.
  • City vacancy rate: 7% (331 vacant positions out of 4,782 budgeted).
  • CAO stated the mayor's goal to end furloughs in the 2027 budget.
  • Councilmembers asked about sales tax relief for businesses affected by Decatur street construction, dashboard transparency, and the timeline for ending furloughs. CAO noted ongoing work on relief options and projected that a decision on furloughs could be clearer by September or October.
• Investment Policy Changes: Sean Gannon of PFM Asset Management presented recommended updates to the city's investment policy to align with Louisiana state code, GFOA best practices, and APT standards. The primary change is adding corporate notes as an allowable investment to increase interest earnings. The committee took no vote; the changes will be forwarded to the full council.

Key Outcomes

• All agenda items requiring a vote were approved unanimously (5-0).
• The 21 Civil Service Pay Plan and Rule Amendments (M-25-182 through M-26-242) were deferred to the City Council meeting on June 18, 2026.
• The committee received the budget report and investment policy update for informational purposes; no action was taken.