Joint Budget/Audit/BOR & Public Works, Sanitation and Environment Committee Meeting

The New Orleans City Council held a joint meeting of the Budget/Audit/BOR and Public Works, Sanitation and Environment Committees on August 28, 2026, focusing primarily on the city's financial status and sanitation services. The meeting included a detailed presentation of the June 2026 budget reports, highlighting revenue collections exceeding budget projections and expenditure controls. Significant discussion centered on the proposed increase in the sanitation fee, which has not been raised since 2011, to address a growing deficit caused by rising service costs and new contracts. The council considered an ordinance to raise the residential sanitation fee by $8.25, from $24 to $32.25, to better align fees with service costs, including funding for a new sanitation strike team dedicated to illegal dumping and litter removal. The council also discussed enforcement improvements, billing system upgrades, and the need for ongoing annual reviews of sanitation costs and services. Additionally, motions related to EMS pay adjustments to improve recruitment and retention were approved. The meeting included public comments and council member questions emphasizing the financial challenges residents face and the importance of transparent communication about service improvements and fee changes.