The Budget, Audit, and Board of Review Committee in New Orleans held a meeting on April 16 to discuss several pieces of budget-related legislation and review financial reports for the city. Chief Administrative Officer Joe Giarrusso and Finance Department Director Alyssa Rambeau presented updates on the city’s fiscal position through February and April.
The meeting highlighted that New Orleans is experiencing an upswing early in the fiscal year, with revenues outperforming expectations. According to Rambeau’s presentation, revenues reached $225 million through February, exceeding both budgeted amounts and prior-year collections. This growth was mainly driven by higher sales tax and service charge revenues, despite weaker property tax intake. Expenditures were reported at $133.9 million year-to-date, representing about 16.7% of the annual budget.
Rambeau also said overtime costs remained consistent with last year but were about $1 million lower during Mardi Gras compared to previous years. Staffing remains constrained due to a hiring freeze that limits new hires to essential or revenue-generating roles, resulting in a vacancy rate of six percent across departments such as Aviation, the Mayor’s Office, Library, and NORD.
Giarrusso provided an updated Monthly Budget Report as of April 2026 emphasizing improved fiscal discipline. The city has accumulated around $89 million in a Cash Management Fund from sources like the Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO), federal grants, and American Rescue Plan Act funds for liquidity needs later this year. Aggressive cost-control measures have led to significant reductions: General Fund travel spending dropped by ninety percent while overtime costs fell forty-four percent compared with the same period last year.
Despite these cuts, Giarrusso said service delivery has been maintained or improved—including managing more Mardi Gras visitors with less overtime spending—and infrastructure work continues throughout the city. Tax collection efforts are improving as well; administration expects an additional $20 million in revenue at an upcoming Revenue Estimating Conference which could allow for a positive amendment to this year’s budget.
Looking ahead, officials said preparations for the 2027 budget process will begin earlier than usual with continued focus on performance improvements and sustainable spending.
