“We are reducing red tape every single day,” Moreno said in her keynote address at the GNO Inc. Annual Luncheon. “And y'all — I have to tell you this. I know this is not going to sound groundbreaking, but it is groundbreaking for New Orleans city hall: We are implementing DocuSign.”
Moreno delivered the news to rapturous applause, hoots, and cheers from the 1,000+ business leaders who attended to discuss regional economic development.
“I’m 6 weeks into the job now,” Moreno said. “My theme for the inauguration was ALL IN. And the reason why I wanted that theme is that’s just kind of how I operate when I get things done… The leadership team I brought to city hall, every single one of them has that very specific mindset, always top of mind.”
Moreno used her address to update the audience on New Orleans most pressing issue: The budget crisis.
“We are clawing our way out of the budget crisis that we are in by creating efficiencies, consolidating departments and work, eliminating positions, hiring freezes, overtime management, and reducing pressure on our general fund by moving some expenses to other budgets,” Mayor Moreno said.
While the city faces ongoing concerns as it works past its steep deficit, Moreno highlighted the progress her team has made despite budget restraints.
“Because of additional management and accountability reforms we have put in place, we have already provided some major results,” Moreno said. “In my just 6 weeks in office, I’m proud to report we have repaired more than 1,000 street lights, launched the infrastructure coordination council — which is similar to what we talked about during Super Bowl, because we should be having this level of coordination year-round, not just when there is a major event coming to the city.”
Moreno also underscored her teams $2.8 million lighting enhancement program along I-10 and a $6.25 million investment in street & sidewalk repavement, which the mayor says, “Will bring in 50 Department of Public Works employees to be out on the streets working for you, paving your streets and paving your sidewalks, because that level of work is long overdue. And I was able to do all of this by not touching our general fund. This was all done by thinking outside the box.”
Toward the end of her speech, Moreno broke news, announcing her administration has officially found a new director of the Safety and Permits department, a flailing branch of city government that Moreno promised to reform when she was on the campaign trail.
“On the economic development front—a lot of great successes,” Moreno began. “I’m excited to report that, while it did take me a minute to find the right candidate because I set the bar so high for a new director of Safety and Permits, because I do believe that Safety and Permits can no longer be what delays progress in our city and makes businesses go to other parishes because they feel like they cant open a business in New Orleans. But we have finally found that right candidate. Joe Giarrusso offered the job to her today, and she has accepted. I will make an official announcement about who she is in a bit, but that’s not going to happen right now.”
Overall, the mayor’s speech was received with great excitement But Moreno recognized that sustaining the goodwill and optimism she earned during her campaign and throughout her first 6 weeks in office will require much work in the future.
“I get right now there’s a lot of excitement. I feel it. The vibe in New Orleans has certainly changed,” Moreno said. “But I understand that for that to continue, I have to keep pushing every single day to deliver. And I will deliver.”
“I want everyone to put in their minds that the past is the past. Put away with what New Orleans government used to be. Now is a new day. We move forward now, with a new day and a new direction and a new level of urgency and with an attitude that we will get the job done.”