This BGR NOW report re-emphasizes key recommendations to help preserve and strengthen the City of New Orleans’s financial health.
New Orleans Needs a Sustainable Budget to Meet Residents’ Demands
• Bureau of Governmental ResearchOverview
The City of New Orleans is at a tipping point. As the races for mayor and City Council heat up, frustrated residents are demanding better City services and infrastructure. Meanwhile, the City’s improved post-pandemic financial position is at serious risk as the 2025 budget is on pace for a $102.5 million shortfall, with new costs looming in 2026 and beyond.
Against this backdrop, this BGR report that provides recommendations for the current mayor and council to improve the City’s financial management practices as they prepare and adopt the 2026 budget. They should hand their successors a more financially secure City government to better address residents’ needs and deal responsibly with any fiscal crises.
The report follows BGR’s April report entitled After the Windfall which found the City has a limited window to safeguard financial gains it made during the pandemic thanks to nearly $400 million in federal funding. Just five months later, that window has narrowed even further. The $102.5 million projected deficit is due to a $30.5 million reduction in estimated revenues and personnel costs that are running $72 million over budget, primarily from soaring overtime. The City also faces tens of millions of dollars in looming costs – such as deferred maintenance of infrastructure and facilities – that aren’t part of the deficit but will put additional pressure on the City’s budget.
To deal with these challenges, BGR urges the City administration and council to improve their financial management practices by (1) working to achieve a structurally balanced budget that covers the full costs of responsibly running City government, (2) developing a five-year financial plan to get there, and (3) adopting a policy to manage and safeguard the City’s financial reserves or “rainy day” fund. These findings are summarized below; read more by clicking the button above or clicking here to download the full report.
A Structurally Balanced Budget
The City’s charter requires it to have a balanced budget with projected revenues that equal or exceed planned expenditures. However, this is a relatively low hurdle that does not ensure the budget is financially sustainable. It allows the City to achieve balance with one-time revenue, such as reserves, that it cannot count on for future budgets. Also, the budget does not have to provide sufficient funding for certain City responsibilities, such as maintaining infrastructure and facilities at acceptable levels. This pushes those costs onto future budgets and future taxpayers. The City has had problems in both these areas. It relies on reserves to balance the budget and chronically underfunds preventive maintenance.
To confront these shortcomings and improve the City’s financial stability, the report calls on the mayor and council to strive for a structurally balanced budget. This is when annually recurring revenues equal or exceed the recurring expenditures needed to adequately maintain services and infrastructure, without using reserves. A structurally balanced budget is a relatively simple yet powerful concept that can help ensure the budget meets the true costs of City government and is sustainable year after year.
A Five-Year Financial Plan
Attaining a structurally balanced budget might take several years or longer and will require careful planning. BGR’s report urges the City to begin developing a five-year financial plan that accounts for significant anticipated changes in revenue and spending. The plan should identify funding strategies to meet looming costs and high-priority needs. This will help ground the 2026 budget deliberations in a better understanding of the City’s finances and needs, even if a more comprehensive five-year plan cannot be completed until the next administration and council take office.
Managing Reserves
A key to achieving a sustainable budget is to maintain adequate reserves to help avoid cuts to essential services and increases in taxes or fees during financial emergencies. Government finance experts recommend that municipalities maintain at least two months of expenses in reserve, or about 17% of their general fund operating budgets. Experts say disaster-prone cities such as New Orleans should consider a higher level. As shown in this report, the City’s reserves skyrocketed from just $13 million before the pandemic to a high of $344 million in 2022. But three years of spending from the reserves could reduce them below the minimum recommended level of $133 million by the end of this year.
Part of the problem is the City lacks a policy to manage its reserves and limit spending to ensure an adequate financial cushion. Both BGR and the City’s financial consultants have called for the City to develop and adopt such a policy this year. Establishing a policy on reserves now is important to support continuity in managing fiscal issues into the next mayoral and council terms.
Conclusion
The City of New Orleans is at a critical juncture in its fiscal history. While it emerged from the pandemic in a better financial position, those gains are at risk due to looming costs and declining revenues. The City administration and council have a choice. They can stick with their current financial management practices and risk sliding back to a more tenuous position. Or they can work to improve those practices, including a five-year financial plan and a policy for managing its rainy day fund. Doing so would achieve a more sustainable budget to better address residents’ immediate and long-term needs and deal with any fiscal emergencies.
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BGR Finds ‘Fair Share’ is Improving N.O. Infrastructure, Can Be Strengthened
Today, the Bureau of Governmental Research released a report analyzing the impact of the 2019 “Fair Share” deal to direct new tourism dollars to maintain streets, drainage and other infrastructure in New Orleans. BGR finds that the deal between the City...
National Association Honors BGR’s Research and Property Tax Dashboards
The Bureau of Governmental Research (BGR) won three awards from its peer organizations in the Governmental Research Association (GRA) at its national conference July 21-23 in Asheville, N.C. BGR’s 2023 report calling for governance reforms for the Sewerage and...
A city falling apart: Why New Orleans fails to stay dry, functional despite billions in funding
Renata Young blocks her front door with sandbags when it rains. During a recent downpour, the water near her home in Treme was pooled ankle-high above each of the block’s four overwhelmed catch basins. More than three years ago,...
Will affordable housing get steady funding? New Orleans City Council asks voters to approve.
New Orleans City Council members are pressing forward with plans to enshrine an unprecedented local investment in affordable housing into the City Charter, a move aimed at expanding programs to help first-time homebuyers, rehab rental units and provide financial...
New Orleans City Council approves 2024 budget with funding for police and housing
The New Orleans City Council approved the city’s $1.57 billion budget on Friday, greenlighting most of the spending that Mayor LaToya Cantrell proposed for 2024. That budget, along with an additional $56 million in spending on a variety of...
More money for police, housing next year in New Orleans; see what’s in Cantrell’s 2024 budget
The New Orleans City Council is set to approve most of Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s proposed $1.57 billion city budget on Friday, with pay raises on the way for New Orleans police, more money set aside in a “rainy day”...
Mayor Cantrell’s 2024 plan for New Orleans: more spending on police and ‘quality-of-life’ issues
Mayor LaToya Cantrell wants to tackle some of New Orleans’ most stubborn issues over the next year: public safety, infrastructure and improving residents’ quality of life. But anyone looking for major new initiatives from the mayor who has two...
Government Watchdog Supports New Orleans Ballot Propositions
NEW ORLEANS — From the Bureau of Governmental Research: New Orleans voters will head to the polls on Saturday to vote in several prominent races, including one for Louisiana’s next governor. But they will also decide three important local...
Viewpoint: Does anyone really care about the Oct. 14 elections?
Saturday’s elections for statewide and parish offices along with a number of other ballot initiatives will be the culmination of many months of hard work and millions of dollar spent by candidates, their supporters and public and quasi-public agencies...
Election guide for Louisiana’s Oct. 14 primary
Louisianans head to the polls Saturday to vote in the gubernatorial primary. Why it matters: Just about every statewide office is up for grabs, so voters will make a big impact on the state’s direction for the next several...
Can the Sheriff’s Office and the City come to an agreement over OPP funding?
BGR President and CEO Rebecca Mowbray discussed BGR’s renewed call for the City of New Orleans and the Orleans Parish Sheriff to develop a cooperative agreement to fund the Orleans Justice Center, the parish jail. Audio recording is not...
New Orleans has a couple important measures on the ballot. Here’s what you need to know
BGR President and CEO Rebecca Mowbray discussed BGR’s reports on the October 14, 2023, ballot propositions with WWL Radio host Tommy Tucker. Audio recording not available online.
New Orleans to vote on funding school repairs, two changes to city charter
New Orleans voters heading to the polls Oct. 14 will punch ballots for governor, the legislature and several other state and local elected positions. They’ll also see three citywide ballot measures, one aimed at renewing tax funding for school...
Election 2023 Preview: Ballot Initiatives
This year, Louisiana voters are once again being asked to weigh in on a number of policy issues. At the state level, lawmakers have proposed four amendments to the Louisiana constitution, while here in Orleans Parish voters will be...
NOLA ballot propositions; why it’s not time to panic over bottled water; history of Black QBs
Election day is almost here. And there is more on the ballot than candidates running for office. Voters in many municipalities are also being asked to consider ballot measures related to local governance. In the city of New Orleans,...
Voter Education Guide: Saturday, October 14, 2023
Excerpt: PW HRC Amendment Prop. No. 1 of 2 – Art. VI, Sec. 6-102 & 6-104 – CCShall Article VI, Sections 6-102 and 6-104 of the Home Rule Charter of the City of New Orleans be amended to move...
Editorial: The Times-Picayune makes these recommendations for Jefferson, St. Tammany, Orleans parishes
Orleans Parish School Board facilities millage renewal: Yes In the grueling recovery from Hurricane Katrina, the $1.8 billion lump sum settlement with FEMA to rebuild New Orleans schools was a high point. Saddled before the storm with facilities so...
New BGR Report Urges Budget Agreement for Jail
NEW ORLEANS — The Bureau of Governmental Research has published a report calling on the City of New Orleans and the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office to resolve a long-running disagreement over funding for the parish jail. The dispute flared last fall...
New Bureau of Governmental Research report urges budget agreement for Orleans Parish Prison
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — As the New Orleans City Council prepares its 2024 budget, the Bureau of Governmental Research has released a report about a longstanding dispute over funding for the Orleans Parish Prison. According to the report, the...
Budget Agreement between City and Sheriff Critical to Solving Jail’s Chronic Problems
The Bureau of Governmental Research (BGR) published a report today calling on the City of New Orleans and the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office to resolve a long-running disagreement over funding for the parish jail. The dispute flared anew last fall...
Proposed charter change would make Code Enforcement a city department; BGR supports the idea
Click here to watch the video, and here to visit the BGR webpage for this report.
BGR Analyzes New Orleans Propositions on the Oct. 14 Ballot
NEW ORLEANS — From the Bureau of Governmental Research: On Sept. 21, the Bureau of Governmental Research released three On the Ballot reports for the October 14 election. The reports are intended to help New Orleans voters make informed decisions...
BGR Analyzes New Orleans Propositions on October 14 Ballot
Today, the Bureau of Governmental Research (BGR) releases three On the Ballot reports for the October 14 election. The reports are intended to help New Orleans voters make informed decisions on three separate propositions: a property tax renewal for...
BGR Research Honored by National Peers
The Bureau of Governmental Research (BGR) won two awards from the Governmental Research Association (GRA) at its national conference July 24-26 in Worcester, Mass. BGR’s 2022 report calling for governance reforms for the Orleans Parish jail received the Most...
New Orleans affordable housing development fund aims to close widening financing gaps
The New Orleans City Council on Thursday approved $32 million for a new affordable housing fund, nearly doubling the financing assistance available to developers planning large multifamily projects across the city. City officials say the additional subsidies are needed...
How Is New Orleans Spending From The General Fund Reserve?
Becky Mowbray and Stephen Stuart join Tommy to talk about how the city is spending the money from the General Fund Reserve. Click here to listen to the interview.
As city allocates last federal pandemic funds, community groups say their priorities were ignored
The New Orleans City Council on Thursday (May 25) approved a city spending plan for more than $120 million — almost all of which comes from federal COVID pandemic relief funds. The money is going to a wide range...
City Council to vote on spending budget surplus as advocacy groups decry lack of transparency
The New Orleans City Council is set to vote Thursday (May 25) on a plan to spend tens of millions in city surplus dollars on city vehicles, affordable housing and assorted other projects as well as the last $54...
Flush with millions, Jefferson Parish Council members fund pet projects; see breakdown
Standing before a gymnasium full of angry residents at the Avondale Playground in October, Jefferson Parish Council member Byron Lee made a pledge. “If you need uniforms, call my office,” he said. “If you need playground equipment, call my...
BGR Urges JP Council to Improve Fiscal Planning, Accountability
NEW ORLEANS — From the Bureau of Governmental Research: In an April 28 letter to the Jefferson Parish Council, BGR recommends ways in which the council can improve planning and public reporting for one-time spending made possible by the receipt of...
BGR Recommends Improvements to Jefferson Parish Council’s Fiscal Planning and Accountability
In an April 28 letter to the Jefferson Parish Council, BGR recommends ways in which the council can improve planning and public reporting for one-time spending made possible by the receipt of federal pandemic relief funds through the American Rescue Plan...
What is the American Rescue Plan Act money for New Orleans East being used for?
NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans East is getting some much-needed funding for some big projects. Councilman Oliver Thomas announced on social media this weekend that extra cash from the American Rescue Plan Act will be heading to New Orleans...
ZURIK: Ousted contractor says Cantrell administration orchestrated trash crisis
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – As residents complained about garbage left to rot on the streets for weeks, the company contracted to collect that trash in several neighborhoods was pleading with the city of New Orleans to fully pay the...
Cantrell administration should boost transparency on $388 million in federal funds, BGR says
When the New Orleans City Council passed a massive, $262 million amendment to the 2023 budget in the waning hours before a Dec. 1 deadline, local activists were surprised. There’d been no formal notice that Mayor LaToya Cantrell and...
BGR Analyzes City’s Use of Federal Pandemic Relief Funds
NEW ORLEANS — From the Bureau of Governmental Research: On Dec. 13, BGR released a new report that shows how the City of New Orleans has used the first half ($194 million) of its federal relief funds to weather...
City hasn’t spent bulk of $388 million in federal COVID relief, BGR report finds
A new report from the local think tank the Bureau of Governmental Research analyzed how New Orleans has managed the $388 million in federal COVID relief funds it received through the America Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA. The central...
Dec. 14 Webinar Focuses on City of New Orleans’ Uses of Pandemic Relief Funds
The Bureau of Governmental Research (BGR) highlighted a new report on the City of New Orleans’ uses of its federal American Rescue Plan Act funds in a webinar on December 14 on Zoom. The federal government has provided state...
BGR Analyzes City of New Orleans’ Use of Federal Pandemic Relief Funds
A new report from the Bureau of Governmental Research (BGR) takes a closer look at the impacts of the City of New Orleans’ federal pandemic relief funds on its finances and budget priorities. Managing the Windfall: Tracking the City of...
Leading Louisiana into 2022: A BGR Virtual Breakfast Briefing with Gov. John Bel Edwards
Today, Governor John Bel Edwards joined the Bureau of Governmental Research (BGR) for a Virtual Breakfast Briefing to discuss his key priorities for 2022 and the potential impacts of new federal funding for Louisiana. Click here or on the...
BGR Participates in Webinar on Federal Pandemic Relief Funds for New Orleans
The City of New Orleans has received its first portion of federal pandemic relief funds through the American Rescue Plan. This historic federal investment will influence the City’s budget for the next few years. BGR recently discussed the need...
BGR to Participate in Webinar on Federal Pandemic Relief Funds
NEW ORLEANS – The City of New Orleans has received its first portion of federal pandemic relief funds through the American Rescue Plan. This historic federal investment will influence the City’s budget for the next few years. BGR recently...
BGR: Governments Should Spend Federal Relief Funds Carefully
NEW ORLEANS – The Bureau of Governmental Research has released guidance for government entities planning how to spend federal pandemic relief funds. The nonprofit watchdog said governments have “substantial flexibility” in spending the federal dollars, which creates a “rare...
BGR Seeks Strong Planning and Accountability for Federal Relief Funds to Address Pandemic’s Impacts
The Bureau of Governmental Research today releases Handle with Care: Public Planning and Accountability Must Guide Spending of Federal Relief Funds. This BGR NOW offers guidance to government entities on harnessing the opportunities presented by unprecedented federal funding to...
Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng Discusses Pandemic, Future Priorities at Breakfast Briefing
Today, the Bureau of Governmental Research (BGR) hosted a virtual Breakfast Briefing featuring Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng. She discussed “Leading Jefferson Parish Today and Tomorrow: Reflections on 2020, Managing the Pandemic, and Future Priorities.” Following her presentation,...
BGR Supports Proposed Policy Changes to Improve NOLA Public Schools’ Finances
Today, BGR releases this BGR NOW supporting three policy changes up for consideration by the Orleans Parish School Board that would strengthen NOLA Public Schools’ financial accountability measures and support the district’s financial sustainability. The changes address financial oversight...
Mayor Cantrell Discusses City Government Priorities in BGR Virtual Breakfast Briefing
Today, the Bureau of Governmental Research (BGR) hosted a virtual Breakfast Briefing featuring New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell. She discussed “Looking Ahead to 2021: New Orleans’ Budget, Infrastructure and Policy Priorities” and then answered questions from the audience. BGR...
PolicyWatch: New Orleans Budget and Tax Updates
Today, BGR released the inaugural edition of PolicyWatch, a periodic newsletter that draws on BGR’s body of independent, nonpartisan research to address current public policy issues. This edition focuses on the City of New Orleans’ finances as it faces a...
Coronavirus response to leave ‘gigantic hole’ in New Orleans economy; Cantrell weighs layoffs
The coronavirus outbreak and the efforts to slow its spread are set to levy a massive toll on the New Orleans economy, with the hospitality sector already seeing a sharp downturn in business and officials warning about likely cuts...
BGR Discusses Awards Program, Local Issues with Oliver Thomas on WBOK January 23, 2020
BGR President and CEO Amy Glovinsky and Vice President & Research Director Stephen Stuart talked about the 2020 Excellence in Government Awards program and a variety of issues related to local government in a live interview with Oliver Thomas...
New Orleans court clerk says he won’t furlough employees for at least a week
Deputy clerks at Orleans Parish Criminal District Court can breathe a sigh of relief — at least for now. Clerk of Court Arthur Morrell said Monday that he has shelved his plan to furlough nearly all of his office’s...
(Opinion) Newell: Compromise, co-operation can’t be dirty words as Mayor, Council grapple with tax relief measure
The City Council has made a request to cut tax rates for property owners, and an agreement is under consideration. The plan is to move some individual millages around to prioritize infrastructure and public safety dollars over areas of...
BGR Helps Citizens Stay Informed about the 2020 Budget Process
As the New Orleans City Council reviews the proposed 2020 budget for the City of New Orleans, BGR presents here a collection of resources to help citizens understand the proposal in the context of recent City budget trends and...
BGR Release Highlights Framework for Assessing New Orleans’ Proposed 2020 Budget
Today, BGR releases BGR Now: A Framework for Assessing New Orleans’ Proposed 2020 Budget, which outlines key findings of BGR’s recent City budget study and connects them to the current 2020 budget process to help inform citizens and policymakers....
BGR Examines New Orleans’ Bond and Tax Propositions on the November 16 Ballot
Today BGR releases On the Ballot: New Orleans Bond and Tax Propositions, November 16, 2019. The report analyzes three separate propositions that would authorize the City of New Orleans (City) to: Issue up to $500 million in bonds for...
Inform Your Vote in Tomorrow’s Election with BGR’s Reports
Citizens in Orleans and Jefferson parishes who plan to vote in tomorrow’s election can inform their decisions with three BGR reports: On the Ballot: Housing Tax Exemptions in New Orleans, October 12, 2019 examines Constitutional Amendment No. 4, which...
BGR Analyzes Past New Orleans Budgets to Guide Funding Priorities
Today, BGR releases A Look Back to Plan Ahead: Analyzing Past New Orleans Budgets to Guide Funding Priorities. The report reviews the City’s General Fund budgets from 2010 to 2019, focusing on growth in revenues and changes in expenditures. As...
BGR Surveys Jefferson Parish Council Candidates on Key Policy Issues
Today BGR releases Questions for a New Parish Council, the second in a two-part report series providing the views of candidates for Jefferson Parish government on important public policy issues. Yesterday, BGR released the responses of the candidates for...
BGR Surveys Jefferson Parish President Candidates on Key Policy Issues
Today BGR releases Questions for a New Parish President, the first in a two-part series of reports providing the views of candidates for Jefferson Parish government on important public policy issues. Tomorrow, BGR will release the responses of the...
Our Views: Orleans’ proposed rainy-day fund could provide parish the financial base needed
There are several issues and races on the ballot throughout south Louisiana for today’s election, including a statewide contest to pick the next treasurer and a high-profile race for mayor in New Orleans. We urge everyone to go to...
New Orleans voters approve ‘rainy day’ emergency fund
New Orleans voters have agreed to create a safety net for the city’s finances, establishing a “rainy day” fund with a charter change that gained citywide approval Saturday (Nov. 18). The city will be required to set aside for emergencies...
Rainy day fund is vital to New Orleans’ financial future, mayor says
In 7 1/2 years, together with the City Council and the people of New Orleans, we have righted the ship of government. Today, our financial house is stronger, going from a budget deficit to a budget surplus, and our...
Our Views: There will be other ‘rainy days’ in New Orleans; vote yes for proposed emergency fund
When Mayor Mitch Landrieu and a new City Council took office in May 2010, New Orleans was broke. The mayor and council took drastic measures to put the city’s fiscal house in order, and those tough choices have, for...
BGR Wins National Honors for Research
BGR won two awards from the Governmental Research Association (GRA) at its national conference in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Tuesday, July 26, 2016. BGR won the award for Outstanding Policy Achievement for the report The Accidental Steward: The Orleans Parish School...