BCNO INITIATIVES
Through its initiatives, the Business Council drives transformational change and positively impacts measurable outcomes for all communities within the Greater New Orleans region. To accomplish this, the Business Council engages diverse stakeholders to shape public policies and implement clear, predictable laws that foster honest and accountable government.
CURRENT INITIATIVES
City revenue
Over the past decade, the Business Council has worked with city officials to establish or improve systems for accounting, budgeting and long-range financial planning, asset management, debt management, revenue forecasting, and taxation.
criminal justice
The Business Council continues to work closely and collaboratively with respected leaders and local and national experts in search and development of strategies and solutions to the urgent, complex, and multifaceted problem of crime in our City.
coastal restoration & flood protection
The Business Council is in a unique position to emphasize why the survival and growth of Louisiana’s coast are important to the future of our state and nation.
sewerage and water board
New Orleans must be able to provide safe drinking water, remove wastewater, and drain stormwater to remain viable for the future, and the Business Council helps to achieve this mission.
forward new orleans for public schools
Forward New Orleans (FNO) is a coalition of 26 civic, neighborhood and business organizations united in their expectation of excellence in city government.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
BCNO has worked with both Texas A&M University and Public Strategies Group to develop civil service policy recommendations and strategies. The City of New Orleans adopted many of the proposed civil service strategies, helping bring the City more in line with effective city governments across the country.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Through its work with various public interest and criminal justice-focused organizations, initiatives, and advocates, BCNO has successfully promoted best practices to the criminal justice system that transcend various organizations and communities.
NEW ORLEANS TAX ASSESSOR CONSOLIDATION
The Business Council was one of many civic and business organizations that championed a constitutional amendment that did away with the seven-assessor system in New Orleans and consolidated the duties into one position.
NEW ORLEANS FIREFIGHTER PENSION FUND REFORM
After a year of research and deliberation, BCNO helped craft a comprehensive solution to resolve two of the City’s greatest open-ended financial burdens—a severely underfunded and distressed firefighter pension fund and an unsatisfied judgment for back-pay estimated at approximately $200 million.
LEVEE BOARD CONSOLIDATION
The Business Council played a key role in the reorganization of South Louisiana levee board governance, culminating in the creation of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority.
Fair Share Agreement
Business Council members played a critical role in negotiations between the city of New Orleans, representatives of its hospitality/tourism industry and state of Louisiana to allocate revenue towards the city’s infrastructure.
charter change for inspector general
The citizens of New Orleans responded to the Business Council and the coalition’s leadership to change the City Charter to protect the permanence and autonomy of the Inspector General. Subsequently, the City established a Police Independent Monitor office within the IG’s office.
new orleans school facilities master plan
The Business Council led and served as members of the New Orleans School Facilities Master Plan, which oversaw the successful implementation and an ambitious multi-year school consultation plan to rebuild facilities damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
