Mayor Kip Holden will reveal his proposed 2015 budget for the city-parish at a special meeting of the Metro Council this afternoon. But while city-parish revenues are expected to be up from last year, some major overhauls—including some long-awaited pay raises as well as funding for the East Baton Rouge Parish Redevelopment Authority—aren’t expected to be included.
Last year’s budget grew 3% from 2013, topping $804 million. According to an economic forecast by LSU economists, the Capital Region is expected to gain 19,600 jobs over the next two years, which would likely lead to more sales and property tax revenues for the city-parish budget.
The Metro Council has been studying the effects of restructuring city-employee compensation for years, but Holden’s chief administrative officer, William Daniel, told the council at its last meeting that changes couldn’t be implemented in this year’s budget. Daniel said changes discussed would cost the city-parish $5 million more than what would otherwise be spent on salaries and benefits, but could be approved, at least in part, with supplemental budget adjustments in the first quarter of 2015.
Holden’s budget proposal is also not expected to include $3 million dollars requested by the RDA, which is projected to run out of money by the end of 2015. Holden told Daily Report earlier this week that the resignation of RDA President and CEO Walter Monsour hasn’t changed his opposition to RDA funding.
If a ballot measure to restructure the city-parish Department of Public Works passes on Dec. 6, six new leadership positions would be added to the city-parish budget, effective April 1, 2015. Daniel has told the council that the transition can be accomplished under DPW’s allotted budget and all current employees will be able to keep a job with the city-parish, though their responsibilities may change.
Scott Dyer, spokesman for the mayor’s office, says the administration does not release information on the mayor’s proposed budget until it is presented to the council. Finance Director Marsha Hanlon could not be reached by this morning’s deadline for comment.
After Holden makes his presentation this afternoon, the council will hold at least two public hearings on the budget. A Metro Council vote on the budget will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 9. The council can change line items in the budget, but only with the approval of a supermajority, or eight of the 12 members.
Today’s meeting will begin at 4 p.m. on the third floor of City Hall, 222 St. Louis St. Check out the full agenda. —Kelly Connelly
