Politics
New Orleans 2026 Budget Millage Adjustments to Shift Property Tax Payments
The City Council-approved rates in the fiscal 2026 budget will change annual bills for property owners across Orleans Parish starting with this summer's assessments.
How we reported this
The New Orleans City Council adopted the fiscal year 2026 budget on June 30 with revised millage rates for property taxes. The changes apply to all assessed properties in Orleans Parish and will appear on tax statements mailed in August.
Why Adjustments Appear in This Budget Cycle
City officials prepared the 2026 document after the previous year's revenues fell short of projections for public safety and infrastructure accounts. The legislation sets a new residential millage of 11.75 mills, down from 12.5 mills applied in 2025, while increasing the commercial rate to offset the difference. Local advocates note that property assessments continue to rise in neighborhoods such as Mid-City and the Lower Ninth Ward.
These rates determine the portion of each home's assessed value collected by the city. For a residence valued at $250,000 with the standard homestead exemption applied, the reduction produces a lower annual bill than the amount paid last year. Renters may see indirect effects if landlords adjust lease terms to reflect their own tax obligations on multi-unit buildings.
Projected Revenue and Resident Examples
The adopted budget projects $442 million in property tax collections for the general fund. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, housing costs in the New Orleans metro area rose 4.2 percent over the past year, a figure the city used when estimating household impacts. A single-family homeowner on a fixed income in Gentilly could see a reduction of several hundred dollars, while owners of commercial property along Canal Street face higher payments that may be passed along through higher rents or service fees.
Implementation begins with the Orleans Parish Assessor's office mailing notices in July. Property owners have 30 days to appeal valuations before final bills are issued in September. The city has scheduled two public workshops in August at the Municipal Auditorium to explain payment options and exemption rules.