New Orleans’ municipal government may not be able to make payroll for the rest of the year, as the city’s cash flow, already precarious in the face of a $160 million deficit, is apparently worse than officials expected.

City Chief Administrative Officer Joe Threat told Mayor-elect Helena Moreno and City Councilmember Joe Giarrusso on Tuesday that “cash flow issues have now become even more severe than originally anticipated, so much so that payroll may not be able to met,” according to a council statement.

It was unclear exactly what triggered the new cash flow troubles late Tuesday. Council members have asked Mayor LaToya Cantrell's administration to brief them on the new problems at a Wednesday afternoon meeting.

The city employs about 5,000 people with a projected 2025 payroll of abo

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