(The Center Square) – New Orleans' sheriff, district attorney and Criminal District Court are seeking millions in additional funding for 2027, warning that the city's proposed budget could threaten prosecutions, court operations and jail staffing.
The requests come as Mayor Helena Moreno's administration attempts to close a roughly $100 million budget gap through $77 million in proposed spending reductions.
The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office, led by Sheriff Michelle Woodfork, is seeking approximately $17 million in additional funding to address staffing shortages, medical expenses and other operational costs.
The request includes $1.2 million to hire 27 deputies for a new jail medical and mental health facility scheduled to open in November.
"In the last two years, there has been a financial strain on the organization that has affected our ability to maintain the infrastructure and basic constitutional operations of our agency," Woodfork told council members during a Wednesday budget hearing.
Meanwhile, Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams is requesting $13.48 million in city funding, nearly double the $6.94 million included in the mayor's proposal. The mayor's recommendation would also represent a $1.5 million reduction from the office's adopted 2026 budget.
Williams' proposed $19.6 million spending plan includes state funding, grants and other revenue. Under the mayor's proposal, however, anticipated revenue would total just $13.06 million, leaving a $6.54 million shortfall.
"The proposed amount would result in a near shutdown of the work that is required to deliver for this community," Williams told council members.
He warned that eliminating the homicide unit, Special Victims Unit, adult diversion program, nearly all investigators and most victim advocates would still not generate enough savings to close the gap.
Budget documents also show anticipated grant revenue falling from $2.74 million in the adopted 2026 budget to approximately $1 million in 2027.
Orleans Parish Criminal District Court faces a separate $4.29 million shortfall, despite the mayor's proposal to maintain city funding at its 2026 level.
Chief Judge Juana Marine Lombard said the court has exhausted reserves previously used to offset funding reductions, leaving little flexibility to absorb additional costs.
The shortfall already accounts for savings associated with the elimination of three judicial sections.
"We have absolutely no funds, no cash on hand to cover the $4.2 million deficit that we're currently facing," Judge Tracey Flemings-Davillier told council members.
Court officials warned that insufficient funding could delay criminal proceedings and increase taxpayer costs by prolonging pretrial detention.
Moreno's administration recently identified $27.4 million in proposed spending reductions it would prioritize reversing if the council approves an increase in property tax collections. Additional funding for the sheriff, district attorney and Criminal District Court was not among those priorities.