City Council spars with Mayor Cantrell over school funding
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Illustration: Rebecca Zisser/Axios
City Council members are expected to tighten the city's purse strings Tuesday after Mayor LaToya Cantrell backed out on a $20 million funding deal with the Orleans Parish School Board.
Why it matters: Things are about to be tit-for-tat in the long-running spat between Cantrell and the council.
Catch up quick: The school district is in a pinch after accounting errors left them with a $36 million gap, writes Axios' Chelsea Brasted.
- In November, the City Council came to the rescue and approved a $20 million set-aside in the city's 2025 budget. It was a compromise meant to settle a 2019 lawsuit.
- Cantrell lauded the approved budget at the time.
Yes, but: A city attorney earlier this month told the council that Cantrell believes the city can't afford to pay the lawsuit settlement and wants to renegotiate, reports The Times-Picayune.
- And in a Feb. 3 statement, Cantrell shifted the blame. "We cannot ignore the financial mismanagement that led to this $36 million shortfall. For the administration to step in irresponsibly would be a violation of our fiduciary duty to the residents of this city."
- Council members were furious.
- "We've known for a while that the administration doesn't have its priorities straight," Council president JP Morrell said in a statement, calling out the city's expenses with attending DC Mardi Gras.
The big picture: The council is holding a special meeting at 12:30pm Tuesday to discuss the status of the settlement, the state of the general fund and "sudden alleged budget shortfalls," Morrell tweeted.
- Morrell and Councilmember Helena Moreno tell Axios they will be reviewing the mayor's expenses, including vehicles. They also are expected to entertain a motion to pause travel expenses for conferences and meetings.
Between the lines: Cantrell has been scrutinized for her travels, which has included several international conferences and first-class upgrades.
- Her travel is often paid for by the host organizations, but the city usually pays for her security detail and any other staffers who attend.
What's next: The city's chief administrative officer, the city attorney and the school board's interim superintendent are on Tuesday's agenda to speak.