New Orleans’ chief administrative officer said Friday that he will enforce the travel policy as it relates to recent travel upgrades made by Mayor LaToya Cantrell. A ruling by the city attorney follows that the mayor is considered an employee of the city. New Orleans Chief Administrative Office policy states that all upgrades for flights must be paid for by the city employee, Administrator Gilbert Montaño said. “I will fulfill my duties as a CAO and it is important that I follow any rules and guidelines that I impose on all other employees,” Montaño said. New Orleans City Council members have also weighed the cost of the trip, warning they could cut the mayor’s salary if she doesn’t repay the nearly $30,000 expense. Records obtained from WDSU investigations show that the July flight Cantrell made to France cost over $17,000. Cantrell said the increased travel expenses related to her health and safety were related to the COVID-19 pandemic and she had no plans to reimburse the city. “I don’t know anyone who works harder or loves the city of New Orleans more than the mayor,” Montaño said. “I know her personally and I know her publicly. And I can talk seriously about where her heart is.” Montaño said he plans to discuss repaying the funds and is confident that will be resolved. However, Montaño could not give a timeline of when this would happen. “I sympathize and can understand the distraction this has caused,” Montaño said. “We are at a tipping point as vital and important initiatives of infrastructure improvements, operational efficiencies and critical public safety investments advance.” “We have to move things forward together. It’s important that we keep our eyes on the ball, and this is the city of New Orleans heading towards a better day.” Council President Helena Moreno released the following statement of reimbursement: “I commend the City Attorney and CAO for their professionalism in this matter. It’s important that everyone follows the same rules and that refunds are made to the city if necessary. After this problem is solved, we will continue our full focus on improving public safety, repairing infrastructure projects and getting city services running again.”
New Orleans’ chief administrative officer said Friday that he will enforce the travel policy as it relates to recent travel upgrades made by Mayor LaToya Cantrell.
A ruling by the city attorney follows that the mayor is considered an employee of the city. New Orleans Chief Administrative Office policy states that all upgrades for flights must be paid for by the city employee.
“As I mentioned in previous interviews, I’ve been waiting for the City Attorney’s statement on this issue, and now it’s clear,” Chief Administrative Officer Gilbert Montaño said.
Montaño, deputy head of the Cantrell administration, reports exclusively to the mayor and can only be fired by her.
“I will fulfill my duties as a CAO and it is important that I follow any rules and guidelines that I impose on all other employees,” Montaño said.
New Orleans City Council members have also weighed the cost of the trip, warning they could cut the mayor’s salary if she doesn’t repay the nearly $30,000 expense.
Records obtained from WDSU investigations show that the July flight Cantrell made to France cost over $17,000.
Cantrell said the increased travel expenses related to her health and safety related to the COVID-19 pandemic and she had no plans to reimburse the city.
“I don’t know anyone who works harder or loves the city of New Orleans more than the mayor,” Montaño said. “I know her personally and I know her publicly. And I can seriously speak where her heart is.”
Montaño said he plans to discuss repaying the funds and is confident it will be resolved. However, Montaño could not give a timeline of when this would happen.
“I sympathize and can understand the distraction this has caused,” Montaño said. “We are at a tipping point where vital and important initiatives of infrastructure improvements, operational efficiencies and critical public safety investments are moving forward.”
“We have to move things forward together. It’s important that we keep at it, and that’s the city of New Orleans moving towards a better day.”
Council President Helena Moreno released the following statement on reimbursement:
“I commend the prosecutor and the CAO for their professionalism on this issue. It’s important that everyone plays by the same rules and that refunds are made to the city if necessary. With this issue resolved, we will continue to focus fully on our efforts to improve public safety, repair infrastructure projects, and get city services running again.”
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