KENNER, La. — Kenner Mayor Michael Glaser has defunded two city departments and created another through a sweeping set of budget amendments that were approved by the City Council on Friday, according to our partners at NOLA.com.
The amendments increased the city's $78 million spending plan by approximately $1.3 million, although additional amendments that will be put forward in January may result in a reduction in spending.
The city's Economic Development department was defunded. The three-person team, with a $216,00 budget will have its duties taken over by the Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission, under a $75,000 annual contract which will be voted on at the next City Council meeting.
The Risk, Insurance, Audit, and Compliance Department will also lose its funding but its personnel will continue their work in other departments.
The new department will be the Federal Program Compliance Department, headed up by Community Development Department attorney Tamithia Shaw. The department's goal will be securing federal grants and managing FEMA claims.
Additional changes include approving $410,000 for grass-cutting contracts and $250,000 for cutting trees, due to vacancies in city workers. Glaser also proposed funding a new deputy fire chief with a $110,000 annual salary.
