Louisiana’s state auditor is urging Mayor Helena Moreno’s administration to take a hard look at how the Essence Festival of Culture spends money it gets each year from the city, the latest official to raise questions about the level of public support of the popular annual event amid negotiations between New Orleans and festival organizers.
In a letter sent to the administration Thursday, the day before New Orleans’ contract with Essence was set to expire, Louisiana Legislative Auditor Mike Waguespack said the amount of city funding allocated to Essence each year is an “uncommon arrangement” that may warrant deeper scrutiny should the city move forward with a new contract.
He also asked if the city’s current agreement with Essence gives his office the authority to audit its spending of public money…