Mayor LaToya Cantrell is weeks away from making a formal proposal to the New Orleans City Council, and this month began laying out a vision for a massive influx of federal cash at two city halls in Algiers and St. Roch. rice field.
Overall, the city has broad discretion to spend $195 million in federal pandemic relief funds. But apart from a $90 million police, fire and EMS payment package, Cantrell has revealed few details about her plans. said it was still open to proposals.
federal bailout
The city is on relatively sound financial footing thanks to the American Relief Plan Act passed by Congress shortly after President Joe Biden’s election.
Federal funds were designed to fill the gaping holes in state and local budgets from revenues lost during the pandemic. The city has already nearly used up his $195 million, the first block it received last year, according to city chief executive Gilbert Montaño.
Nearly all of that first batch was used to make up for lost tax revenues that plummeted with the tourism industry in 2020. The city now has a plan for how to spend the remaining money, and has more flexibility thanks to the return of tax revenues.
New Orleans Chief Administrative Officer Gilbert Montano speaks about the ARPA Federal Pandemic Relief Fund at Shiloh Christian Church on N. Claiborne Street in New Orleans, Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022. Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate) ORG XMIT: 10040093A
Under immense pressure to meet the declining police force and alarming rise in violent crime, Cantrell has publicly promised one big item. This includes a $30,000 signing bonus and three years of health care for her officers and their dependents.
In an interview Thursday, Montaño said the administration’s expansion of the plan to include health care for workers at the New Orleans Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services would cost an additional $15 million.
The City Council must approve public safety payment packages. With congressional approval, that would leave the city with about $105 million, which Cantrell hopes to spend on his five broad “buckets.”
These categories, Cantrell said, include public safety and public health; quality-of-life programs that address epidemics and illegal dumping while expanding social services; programs that fund upgrades to city hall equipment and technology; and housing programs. , business, and workforce development programs.
crime, disease, etc.
New Orleans Chief Administrative Officer Gilbert Montano speaks about the ARPA Federal Pandemic Relief Fund at Shiloh Christian Church on N. Claiborne Street in New Orleans, Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022. Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate) ORG XMIT: 10040093A
At the Town Hall in Algiers on October 5 and St. Roch on Wednesday, Cantrell faced audiences weary of the problems that have spurred a precipitous drop in her popularity. Residents complained of crime, illegal dumping, dilapidated homes, and questionable roadworks.
Outings were mostly one-way, like the budget town hall the mayor hosted this summer. Members of the public submitted comments and questions via cards.
On Thursday, Montaño said the priorities identified at city hall were consistent with suggestions he received in one-on-one meetings from the mayor and members of the city council.
“What we’re trying to do now is take all of these submissions and see what overlaps there are,” he said. “There’s a lot of overlap, and I always use Bright as an example. Everyone in these categories says dead.”
The City’s 2023 budget must be approved by December 1st. Montaño wants to release the administration’s proposal for federal relief funds at about the same time the mayor’s office submits the budget for approval.
The city did not conduct a public input process in front of City Hall. Cantrell said there will be another opportunity for residents to participate at next month’s city council.
question police spending
While there is agreement among Cantrell, the council and business leaders on the need for more police, some advocates outside city hall have different opinions on how crime should be dealt with.
In a letter last month, the Vera Institute and other progressive groups proposed spending $10 million on youth development funds, $65 million on affordable housing, and $10 million on mental health care.
In a comment read by a city hall spokesperson at a rally in the auditorium of LB Landry High School on Oct. 6, Britain’s Forsythe said, “ARPA dollars should go to the community, not the police. ‘ said.
Cantrell said some of the federal government’s money will be spent on housing, services for the homeless and helping disadvantaged youth.
“An investment in the New Orleans police force, which means the men and women who sacrifice every day to protect and serve this community, is an investment in our community,” Cantrell said. .
Not listed
Much of the city’s plan remains vague, but Cantrell is outspoken about projects that don’t get funding. After consultations with city attorneys and federal counsel, more than 40 projects were deemed ineligible for this block of the Pandemic Relief Fund.
These projects include the redevelopment of Lincoln Beach, the former Lake Forest Plaza site and former Six Flags Amusement Park site in New Orleans East, the economic development of the West End area, the former Polish Avenue Naval Station in Bywater, and “Other Places”. Take the pressure out of the French Quarter by hosting your shoot at .
These projects remain on the government’s wish list, and some, like the Lincoln Beach project, are funded by other sources, Cantrell said.
Staff writer Ben Myers contributed to this report.
