NEW ORLEANS — The City of New Orleans has entered into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Orleans Parish Assessor’s Office to help stabilize city finances and ensure the uninterrupted delivery of essential public services.
Under the agreement, the city fulfilled its 2026 statutory funding obligation to the assessor with a payment of $15.26 million. Because of the city’s financial situation, the assessor will provide $16 million to the city in two installments this summer, creating immediate cash-infusion support as the city navigates ongoing fiscal challenges.
“This is a smart, responsible step to stabilize our finances while we continue the work of fixing what’s been broken and delivering better results,” said Mayor Helena Moreno.
“One of the hallmarks of the Moreno administration is working collaboratively and finding creative solutions to problems,” said CAO Joe Giarrusso. “Kudos to Assessor Williams, a former city CAO, for understanding the city’s financial crunch and doing his part to help.”
“The Orleans Parish Assessor’s Office recognizes the challenges posed by the city’s financial crisis and the importance of maintaining a stable and effective tax collection system,” said Assessor Erroll G. Williams. “As we have done with previous administrations, we are happy to help support and strengthen tax collection operations without interruption.”
The agreement comes as the city continues to address a financial crisis marked by reduced cash reserves and ongoing budget pressures. The coordinated approach ensures continued operation of many departments, including the Finance Department, Bureau of Revenue and Treasury, and the Department of Safety and Permits, all of which play a vital role in maintaining city services and managing revenue streams.
The Orleans Parish Assessor’s Office, which is funded through property tax collections, maintains sufficient reserves to support its operations while partnering with the city to reinforce overall financial stability.
The agreement also includes strict accountability measures, including oversight provisions, audit compliance, and clear restrictions to ensure all funds are used solely for public purposes.
The Cooperative Endeavor Agreement is effective through December 31, 2026.