New Orleans Council Set to Vote on $42 Million Property Tax Hike

The New Orleans City Council will consider raising property tax rates by an estimated $42,254,955.43 at a public hearing scheduled for November 5, 2026. The move aims to generate an additional $297,337,596.11 in tax revenues for the coming year, a figure that exceeds the current year's projected collection of $255,082,640.68. The hearing is mandated by the Louisiana Constitution and state law to allow the governing body to levy increased millage rates without a separate vote by residents.

The proposed increase applies to the city's total operating budget for Fiscal Year 2026, which stands at approximately $1,592,417,236. This amount represents both the total budgeted revenues and the total budgeted expenditures for the municipality. The council will meet in Room 1E07 of the New Orleans City Council Chamber at City Hall, located at 1300 Perdido Street in New Orleans, starting at 10:00 a.m.

Mayor LaToya Cantrell's administration, referred to in the notice as the Moreno Administration, has emphasized the need for disciplined oversight and data-driven decision-making. The office has introduced a Real-Time Budget to Actuals Dashboard to provide the public with a clear view of how each department is managing its funds. This tool compares initial budget allocations against year-to-date spending, allowing residents to track financial performance throughout the fiscal year.

The administration argues that making this budget performance data readily accessible improves accountability. It also supports the proactive identification of spending trends and helps inform financial decisions across city government. The complete adopted budget for Fiscal Year 2026, including detailed breakdowns by fund, department, and revenue source, is available on the city's website at nola.gov.

The notice also includes cash management totals as of October 30, 2026. These figures represent General Fund resources that have been set aside to support anticipated expenditures and cash flow needs later in the fiscal year. The notice indicates that this cash may be transferred to the General Fund on an as-needed basis. The full text of the notice is posted on the city's official channels.

The council's decision on the millage rates will determine the property tax burden for Orleans Parish residents in the next tax year. If the adjusted rates are adopted, they will not exceed the prior year's maximum authorized millage rates. The public is invited to attend the hearing to observe the deliberations and the vote on the increased rates.