Mayor C. Ray Nagin has responded to the New Orleans City Council over the budget cuts and casting blame on the Council.  Yesterday, the Council criticized the Mayor’s office.

Here is the letter from New Orleans Mayor Nagin and the New Orleans City Council.  Some believe that one of the most critical issues in the upcoming elections will be the Mayor and the City Council being able to communicate with one another on important matters such as the budget.

 From New Orleans Mayor Nagin

"The City Council's statement that they did not know the impact of implementing their budget cuts is a clear avoidance of responsibility. They reviewed the budget in detail for over a month. If they did not know that slashing the "other operating" category in three key areas would negatively impact city services then they should have known.

"Some council members continue to mislead the public into believing there is "fat" in the budget that can be cut. This is utterly and completely untrue.

"At the beginning of the budget process, I met with every Council member and made myself and staffers available for follow-up conversations. I presented a balanced budget that minimized the negative impact to citizens and employees. Yet the Council, without consulting the Administration, made major changes in approving the City's 2010 budget. While the Administration's revenue projections were developed by internal and external economic experts, the Council refused to explain how they arrived at their guesses about what revenues the City will receive. They were unified and dismissive when warned their cuts would have major negative impacts on city services.

"Despite that, I reached out to and spoke with Council President Arnie Fielkow, Council Vice-President Jacqueline Clarkson, Budget Chair Council Member Cynthia Hedge-Morrell and Council Member Cynthia Willard-Lewis before announcing this implementation plan.

"The City Council has complete responsibility and authority for understanding and approving the City's budget. The Administration has to implement the budget and that is what we are doing."

C. Ray Nagin
Mayor

New Orleans Council:

New Orleans, LA - December 18, 2009 - Today the City Council released the following statement regarding the Mayor's implementation of the 2010 Budget:
 
"The Council reiterates its position of December 3, 2009. We disagree with the Mayor's approach and ultimate budgetary cuts. These decisions are solely and definitively his. We had hoped he would make efficient cuts with his citizenry and employees foremost in mind; however it appears his actions do not reflect those priorities, which is regrettable. 

"In light of the fact that previous years have included budgeted revenues which were not realized, the Council adopted a balanced budget with fiscally responsible revenue projections. The revenue projections made by the Mayor were overly optimistic. While we are hopeful that more revenues will come in and we will add dollars to the budget, the Council budgeted conservatively, which is the proper way to budget from a revenue standpoint.

"The Council adopted the 2010 budget with targeted areas in which the Mayor could make reductions which would least harm citizens and city employees. The balanced budget adopted by the Council reflects the priorities of the citizenry, as articulated during community meetings and four weeks of Council budget hearings.

"Some of the cuts made by the Mayor are necessary, and may in fact be wise. However, the reality is that some of the Mayor's cuts are truly hurtful to the citizens and make no sense. The Mayor never vetoed the budget, and therefore the decisions he announced are his and his alone. The Council does not have the ability to make line item vetoes, so the Mayor has total discretion to prioritize projects within each department.

"We know that the District Attorney, criminal justice and EMS deserve more money - they are a top priority. However, it makes no sense to cut blight reduction hearing officers, given that this is a priority of the City and ultimately brings revenue to the City through the collection of fines and penalties.

"Had the Mayor reached out to Councilmembers before making his decision and publically announcing his intentions, we believe an accord could have been reached on many of the budget items. It is regrettable that the Mayor did not attempt to engage the Council on these items before making his final decision.

"The budget is a living document and can be altered throughout the year, as necessary. The Council, as always, is prepared to work with the Administration to move dollars around, which would be in the best interest of citizens."