With so many concerns over money, jobs and city services — WDSU wants to know — what could be cut, what jobs could be lost?
WDSU is told through sources that furloughs are not on the table right now and that Mayor-elect Helena Moreno has no intention to use that measure at this time.
Sources close to Moreno say her priorities in 2026 will be critical staffing and public safety.
Police, fire EMS — as well as Safety & Permits are all expected to remain intact and funded to the levels needed.
When it comes to cuts, sources say Moreno and her team plan to “right-size” city government.
One example, sources say dozens of people were hired through federal grants during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many of those grants ran out, but sources say the city then absorbed the employees’ positions and picked up the salaries.
Those jobs could be eliminated to make ends meet.
Also, sources say the number of unclassified employees grew steadily from former Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s last year in office in 2018 to where things are now.
Those are jobs that mayors can create and hire at will.
Other non-critical agencies that could see change are the city’s communications department.
Mayor LaToya Cantrell launched an in-house news service and staffed it with new employees in 2023.
Those jobs are not considered critical.
Sources say the Office of Criminal Justice Commissioner, what that job and department does, and which positions are necessary, will be looked at closely.
Whatever happens, analysts say this isn’t how any new mayor, like Moreno, wants to take over — with a massive budget deficit looming.
READ MORE:Get the Facts: Will Mayor-elect Helena Moreno consider furloughs, job eliminations?
