New Orleans mayor-elect Helena Moreno says she's already making cuts to next year's budget to stave off a $222 million projected budget deficit.
Moreno told WWL's Newell Normand that her cuts are more strategic than the 30-percent-across-the-board cuts proposed by outgoing mayor LaToya Cantrell. Those cuts include eliminating positions in city hall.
"A reduction of 35 unclassified positions that are under mayoral control: I have not decided what these positions will be, but that will be what I will review when we adopt the budget," Moreno said. "Also, 75 percent of probationary employees: these are employees who have not been with the city for a year or more. That's roughly 62 people. We also have a hiring freeze of 75 percent of the vacant positions."
Moreno emphasized that none of these layoffs impact emergency services such as the New Orleans Police Department. In fact, Moreno said the city will be able to fully fund essential city services under her plan.
Another area Moreno says she'll cut is the mayor's travel budget.
"There was a major budget for travel again for next year that I've cut by 75 percent, and that remaining 25 percent for travel is only for essential travel and must receive the approval of the (chief administrative officer)," Moreno said.
Moreno also said the city will use one-time funds to help fill the 2026 budget gap.