Overview
- A Dec. 23 notice to the mayor-elect estimated $8 million to $12 million is due this month, while less than $4 million remains from the ARPA allocation and a city dashboard shows about $3.6 million left.
- Louisiana Legislative Auditor Mike Waguespack confirmed the emergency payroll fund can be used for the bonuses and he oversees and authorizes weekly draws.
- The city created the $125 million fund in November using short-term revenue bonds, with $46 million remaining as of Dec. 30 and repayment required by mid-year under the bond terms.
- Moreno’s $801 million general fund budget did not anticipate the obligation, and incoming officials are investigating how the ARPA dollars dedicated to recruitment and retention were depleted.
- The $10,000 three-year retention payments stem from 2022 packages funded with roughly $20–21 million, yet NOPD staffing has hovered near 900 commissioned officers despite recent declines in violent crime.