New Orleans budget, services, transit, and housing accountability under pressure

October sanitation bills rose to $32.25 for residential customers and $64.50 for nonresidential customers. Mayor Helena Moreno says reimbursements could narrow the broader budget gap to about $77 million, but the proposed $42 million property-tax increase faces an Oct. 29 hearing and a two-thirds council vote. HANO’s score fell to 86% after nearly 600 Section 8 violations were found across 74 of 75 inspected units; City Council also has pending decisions on French Quarter short-term-rental rules and a 45-year hotel tax incentive.