CAL. NO. 35,127 - BY: COUNCILMEMBERS MORRELL, MORENO, GIARRUSSO, AND KING Brief: An Ordinance to require the criminal justice agencies to use the City’s current enterprise resource planning system (BRASS) or similar contracting and procurement database approved by the City Council to delineate how City funds are allocated within their respective agencies; and otherwise to provide with respect thereto. Annotation: (This matter was introduced 5/28/25). CONTINUED TO THE MEETING OF 1/27/26.

This ordinance, CAL. NO. 35,127, requires specified criminal justice agencies in New Orleans to use the City's current enterprise resource planning system (BRASS) or a similar approved database for tracking and reporting on the allocation of City funds. The impetus for this ordinance stems from a recent escape from the Orleans Justice Center and subsequent concerns raised about transparency and accountability in the Sheriff's office's funding and contracting practices. The ordinance mandates detailed monthly fiscal reports on personnel costs, operating costs, and contract obligations, with quarterly briefings to the Council's Criminal Justice Committee. Different implementation timelines are set for various agencies: the Orleans Parish Sheriff, District Attorney, and Criminal District Court must comply within one year for system implementation and 90 days for reporting. Other agencies have two years for system implementation and one year for reporting. The Council will appropriate necessary funds for implementation.

This ordinance aims to increase transparency and accountability in how taxpayer money is spent by local criminal justice agencies, potentially leading to more efficient use of public funds and better oversight of services that impact public safety.

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