Residents to weigh in on increased funding for park spaces in May

The New Orleans City Council recently approved an ordinance to reallocate taxpayer revenue for park spaces to be put before the voters in May 2019. The ordinance, which does not include any tax increase for residents, will rebalance revenue to help improve city services while bringing revenue to parks.

“This vote represents a milestone in creating equity for our public spaces and rethinking how we allocate our tax revenue,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “We look forward to establishing an inter-agency parks and recreation coordinating group that will continue this spirit of collaboration and cooperation. This is what transparency and accountability looks like as we work together to move this city forward.”

The proposal would adjust the millage rates for Audubon Commission, the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORDC) and Parks and Parkways in part to allow City Park to finally receive dedicated funding. Audubon’s proposed adjusted millage would be reduced to 1.95 mills ($6.59 million) from 3.31 mills ($10.92 million); NORDC adjusted millage would be increased to 1.95 mills ($6.59 million) from 1.5 mills ($4.95 million); and Parks and Parkways’ millage would be increased to 1.8 mills (or $6.08 million). This adjustment would allow City Park to have a millage of .61 mill (nearly $2.06 million).

City Council members Jay Banks (District B), Jared Brossett (District D) and Cyndi Nguyen (District E) served as co-sponsors of the ordinance. The millage will be put on the ballot for voters on May 4, 2019.

The partners worked in coordination with the Trust for Public Land (TPL).

“We are proud to have been a part of this collaborative process that will help NORD leverage its increased funding to expand its programming and open up opportunities to partner with outside entities to provide other services – whether it’s for young children, teens or senior citizens. This relocation of taxpayer dollars helps us in several ways, not the least of which providing needed headwinds for the City’s incoming NORD CEO,” said NORDC Chair Brian Egana.

“The redistribution of existing millage is a positive step forward providing additional funding to Parks and Parkways without an increase in taxes,” Parks and Parkways Director Ann E. Macdonald said.

“Mayor Cantrell and the New Orleans City Council have taken an important step towards protecting and improving parks and recreation in our community. Together, this parks partnership will increase accessibility and enhance green space throughout the city. Specifically for Audubon, this will allow improvements to our facilities across the city, including stormwater management improvements in Audubon Park and increased programming at the Audubon Louisiana Nature Center in New Orleans East and the Wilderness Park on the West Bank to further our commitment to preserving nature and conservation education,” said Audubon Commission President J. Kelly Duncan.

“We are excited about City Park getting the opportunity to receive the tax funding we have needed for years. Thanks to this millage adjustment and the coordinating group that will continue afterward, we will be able to provide security patrols that can operate 24/7 to ensure park safety. Additional funding will also help with repairs to its aging infrastructure while improving its stormwater drainage, among many other benefits. We are grateful for Mayor Cantrell’s leadership and the support of the City Council in this collaboration, and look forward to continue working together with all of our partners,” said City Park CEO Bob Becker.

“The Trust for Public Land was happy to work with the Mayor and the park partners and provide expertise on this important Citywide Parks and Recreation Proposition. We believe this rebalancing of the millage will result in a more equitable distribution of public resources and better parks for all New Orleans residents. TPL will continue to advocate for this important proposition until the May election, when we believe the majority of voters will support this measure which increases the benefits to residents without increasing taxes,” said Sarah Olivier, Trust for Public Land’s New Orleans Program Director.

This article originally published in the December 17, 2018 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.