City Civil Service Commission Meeting Summary – September 10, 2026

Note: The meeting transcript indicates the meeting occurred on September 9, 2026, but the provided date for this summary is September 10, 2026. This summary uses the latter date as instructed.

The City Civil Service Commission held a business meeting that included a report from the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) on employee furloughs and the introduction of seven proposed amendments to civil service leave rules. The proposed amendments drew extensive public comment, nearly all in opposition, from employee unions, public safety representatives, and individual civil servants. No final votes were taken on the rule amendments; they remain under consideration for a future meeting.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved for July 21, 2026. July 10, 2026 minutes were deferred due to a commissioner’s absence.
• Election of Officers: Commissioner Richardson was re-elected Chair and Commissioner Corn was re-elected Vice Chair, both unanimously.
• Public Integrity Bureau Extension Requests: Approved in entirety.
• Examination Announcements: Approved for items 11562–11630.

Furlough Report (Item 7 – Moved to Beginning)

CAO Joe Jeruso reported that approximately 10% of city employees (about 450 of 4,500) are currently on furlough, with most impact on unclassified employees. Year-to-date furlough savings total $2,612,920; projected year-end savings are $3,928,939. The administration does not plan to include furloughs in the 2027 budget. Potential lifting of furloughs before year-end depends on revenue from the new sanitation fee (expected $1.1 million/month), increased permit and short-term rental fees, and a millage roll forward. Commissioners expressed hope for employees to receive relief before the holiday season.

Introduction of Proposed Leave Rule Amendments (Item 4A–G)

The administration introduced seven amendments to Rule 8 and related definitions:

• 4A & 4B: Eliminate bonus annual leave days (12 days at 20 years) and bonus sick leave days (7 days at 20 years) for current employees—the only retroactive change. All other proposals apply only to employees hired after December 31, 2026.
• 4C: Reduce annual leave carryforward from 45 to 30 days for new hires.
• 4D: Cap sick leave carryforward at 200 days for new hires.
• 4E: Limit terminal sick leave payout to 20% of daily rate for new hires.
• 4F: Clarify rules for converting leave to retirement credits (no substantive change).
• 4G: Remove obsolete COVID-19 emergency leave provisions.

Commissioner Monteverdi recused from item 4B due to potential economic interest as a city employee. CAO Jeruso and John Wisby explained the rationale: reducing a ~$100 million terminal leave liability, aligning New Orleans with comparable Louisiana jurisdictions, and addressing long-term budget pressures. They emphasized openness to further dialogue and that the October vote date is not fixed.

Public Comments & Testimony

Dozens of speakers and submitted written comments opposed the proposed amendments. Key positions included:

• Union representatives (AFSCME, FOP, PANO, Fire Local 632, Black Organization of Police, EMS, Sewerage & Water Board) argued that bonus days are earned longevity benefits, not gifts, and that eliminating or capping them would severely harm recruitment and retention, especially in public safety.
• Speakers from public safety agencies highlighted that blackout periods (e.g., Mardi Gras, special events) make it impossible to use leave, leading to accumulation that should not be labeled “hoarding.” Reducing benefits while pay lags behind neighboring jurisdictions and private sector makes public service less attractive.
• Several employees noted that the budget crisis was not caused by frontline workers and that administration salaries have increased while employee benefits are being cut.
• Many called for more data on projected savings and for a more deliberative process, including dialogue with union representatives.
• Written comments echoed these concerns, with many stating that the proposed changes would create a two-tier workforce and damage trust.

CAO Jeruso acknowledged concerns, particularly around blackout dates, and committed to continued collaboration.

Other Discussion Items

• Item 5B (Title Change): Approved to change “police accounting section manager” to “contract section manager” after an employee raised concerns about job security; commission noted it had previously approved the functional unit transfer.
• Item 5D (Fire Dual Assignment Pay Threshold): Deferred due to Commissioner Monteverdi’s recusal.
• Item 5E (Special Rate of Pay for Acting in Higher Classification): Deferred after discussion; concerns about ongoing litigation and paying less than full rate for the same duties.
• Item 13 (Earl Roche – Retroactive Extraordinary Pay): Denied by vote (2-0). Commission upheld the rule that applicants who check “willing to accept at minimum” are ineligible for hiring above minimum, despite appointing authority’s earlier intent.
• Item 14 (Sonia Morris – Request for Investigation): Granted based on staff recommendation that at least one claim of retroactive compensation may have merit.

Key Outcomes

• All consent calendar items approved.
• Rule amendments (Item 4) introduced but no vote taken; public hearing and decision deferred to a future meeting.
• Items 5D, 5E deferred; Items 9–12 (fire union requests) deferred due to recusal.
• Item 13 denied; Item 14 granted.
• Meeting adjourned.