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yesterday

Moreno to Pay NOPD Bonuses, Seeks Emergency Payroll Fund Approval

The ARPA allocation for retention pay is nearly exhausted, leaving an estimated $8 million to $12 million gap for bonuses due this month.

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Overview

  • Mayor-elect Helena Moreno will ask the City Council on Jan. 14 to authorize using the emergency payroll fund to cover the unfunded $10,000 retention bonuses.
  • Legislative Auditor Mike Waguespack, who oversees weekly draws, confirmed the bonuses qualify for the emergency fund.
  • The city created a $125 million payroll backstop using short-term revenue bonds, and $46 million remained as of Dec. 30 with another draw set for a Wednesday vote.
  • Moreno’s $801 million general fund budget did not anticipate the shortfall, and the bond-backed payroll fund must be repaid by mid-year, potentially requiring additional borrowing.
  • Officials are reviewing how the dedicated ARPA appropriation was depleted, with a dashboard showing about $3.6 million left and NOPD staffing around 910 commissioned officers.