# 2027 Proposed Budget Hearings (Day 8)


**Body:** New Orleans City Council
**Date:** October 23, 2026
**Jurisdiction:** SLED

**Tags:** Construction & Infrastructure, Transportation, Physical Infrastructure, Grants & Funding


The New Orleans City Council’s 2027 Proposed Budget Hearings (Day 8), held October 23, 2026, included budget presentations from the Office of Inspector General (OIG), Office of the Independent Police Monitor, French Market Corporation, Regional Transit Authority (RTA), and other city-affiliated entities. Procurement and oversight discussions included the OIG’s monitoring of high-risk procurements and its report that about $500,000 in city-purchased fleet software had not been installed on roughly 60% of vehicles. The Independent Police Monitor said it plans to replace a departing general-counsel contractor through an RFP, which remained active, and described planned audits and reports. No Council votes or contract awards were recorded in the transcript.

The French Market Corporation reported spending about $7 million from reserves to repair its administrative building and an estimated $12 million total cost for the Upper Pontalba project, supported by $8 million in bond funds; Tuna was identified as the low bidder. It also discussed leasing solicitations and brokerage services, budgeting about $135,000 for commissions, and pursuing approximately $2.5 million in historic tax credits that it expects to sell and contribute to the city. RTA outlined planned procurement and implementation of updated fare technology, capital projects including a downtown transit center, and 25 CNG buses; it cited about $10 million in local matching funds for capital projects and no proposed additional FTEs. The Library discussed upcoming elevator, HVAC, roof, and facilities-planning needs, while the BioDistrict described public-infrastructure and health-sector initiatives supported by city and state funding. Public testimony raised concerns about fairness and access for local French Market tenants; no procurement policy change was adopted.

**Source:** New Orleans City Council