After a brief presentation, Mayor Helena Moreno opened the floor to questions Tuesday night at the Sanchez Multi-Service Center in the Lower Ninth Ward, marking the beginning steps to publicly outline New Orleans’ spending plans for next year.
The city’s stated goal is not just to balance the budget, but to permanently change its financial trajectory.
Moreno highlighted her priorities, which include no cuts to the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORD), economic opportunity, and safer streets and neighborhoods.
The city said a stronger New Orleans starts with the basics, which include stabilizing finances, strengthening basic services, and creating opportunity in every neighborhood.
However, some residents said they don’t feel optimistic.
“It really didn’t give me anything to go from,” said Michael Watts, Lower Ninth Ward resident.
Other residents echoed similar sentiments when asked about the council’s promises to improve the streets and other aspects of infrastructure.
“This ain’t the first time,” said William Peck, who also lives in the Lower Ninth Ward.
Peck said he has seen improvements in crime, but his main concern is property lot purchases.
“We need to build on this momentum that been going on in the Lower Ninth Ward and allow people to protect the lots and stuff from this community, other than let people outside of community divide a lot and selling them back to us at almost double the price to pay for them,” said Peck.
For Watts, his focus has been on Plaza Tower since 2015.
“That’s where my heart is. My mind. Everything is on Plaza Tower,” said Watts.
In response, Moreno said she and other city officials met earlier Tuesday to discuss transforming the property into retail spaces or affordable housing. Moreno said demolishing the building comes with a $30 million price tag that the property owner does not have, and she doesn’t want to put the burden on the city.
For resident Valeria Schexnayder, she’s concerned about the lack of money for code enforcement, as she said her house has had property issues since the start of the year.
“The grass is six foot high,” Schexnayder said, “It’s just depressing when you go out there and look; you just can’t sit on your porch.”
Schexnayder came to the meeting in hopes of something being addressed, as she said she’s made complaints about the grass for months.
While residents aren’t certain about the city’s plans, they said the meeting was needed.
““I know she’s facing a real crisis, and she’s doing an excellent job, I must say, with what she have, she working with what she have,” Schexnayder said.
The city outlined new changes to government operations, including reviewing contracts and outside spending, consolidating functions, and improving the collection of money already owed to the city.
The next budget meeting will be held Wednesday at the Beacon Light International Baptist Cathedral in Gentilly.
READ MORE:First of many budget meetings held in the Lower Ninth Ward
