Budget TransparencyA budget people can understand
Making New Orleans' budget more transparent, accessible, and accountable to the public.
Public dollars belong to the public. Our budget transparency work ensures residents, advocates, and policymakers have access to clear, timely, and understandable information about how city funds are collected, allocated, and spent.
About the CampaignOpening the budget process
Building a budget system that is transparent, participatory, and rooted in public trust.
From real-time budget dashboards to stronger public engagement and accountability measures, this work seeks to create a single source of truth about the city's finances and ensure residents have a meaningful role in shaping budget decisions.
Our key prioritiesTransparency creates better budgets
Good information leads to better decisions, stronger accountability, and greater public trust.
We work with community members, researchers, advocates, and elected officials to advance reforms that improve how budget information is shared and how residents participate in the process.
Real-time budget information
Create a public budget dashboard that provides up-to-date information on spending, budget changes, and department performance throughout the year.
(01)
Community access
Develop plain-language budget materials, multilingual resources, and educational tools that help residents understand how the budget works.
(02)
Meaningful public participation
Expand opportunities for residents to engage in the budget process through earlier outreach, district-based town halls, and accessible public hearings.
(03)
Transparent decision-making
Provide clear explanations for budget decisions, changes in spending, and how community feedback influenced outcomes.
(04)
Accountability and oversight
Strengthen the systems and staffing needed to monitor spending, evaluate results, and ensure commitments are being met.
(05)
Budget equity
Use transparency as a tool to identify disparities, improve public trust, and ensure investments reach the communities that need them most.
(06)
Get involvedDemand transparency
Residents deserve a seat at the table when decisions about public dollars are being made.
Support efforts to create a more transparent and accountable budget process.