Facing steep budget cuts, New Orleans elected officials and agency heads pointed to the city’s swollen jail complex as a prime target for cost savings this week in City Council budget hearings.
In asking for a budget increase, Sheriff Michelle Woodfork also said a hiring drought will delay the opening of a controversial, $92 million mental health wing known as “Phase III” until next year.
Woodfork is asking for a 12% increase for next year’s operations, and Mayor Helena Moreno’s proposed budget accommodates the request with $58 million from the city, including $25 million for the jail’s private medical provider…