NEW ORLEANS —

The Krewe of Boo kicks off this weekend, and all eyes are on first responders scheduled to work the parade amid growing payroll concerns.

The parade attracts over 100,000 people each year and provides an economic boost to the city. Advertisement

This comes as the city is grappling with a $160 million deficit and an issue with paying city workers through the end of the year.

Brian Kern with the Krewe of Boo said his group covers its own police, sanitation and EMS costs, amounting to about $100,000.

"We need money desperately, we need people to visit the city," Kern said.

Questions have surfaced about whether payments for first responders will be affected and if retention incentive payments might be delayed.

The New Orleans Police Department told WDSU, "While we’ll defe

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