KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Sanitation department proposes $18.8M reduction for 2026, lowering total budget from $71.24M to $52.45M.

Citywide curbside recycling and facility recycling programs would end under proposed cuts.

Reduced overtime funding would slow Mardi Gras and event cleanup, illegal dumping response, and routine litter removal.

Department warns cuts could hurt staff morale, increase absenteeism, and reduce neighborhood cleanliness.

New Orleans ‘ Department of Sanitation told the City Council its 2026 budget proposal would force deep cuts to core services and slow response times citywide, pointing to an $18.8 million reduction from this year’s spending plan.

Budget documents show the department’s total general fund request would fall from $71.24 million adopted for 2025 to $52.45 m

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