Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans

The Board of Directors meeting included a special award presentation for a long-serving member. Committee reports were presented for the Pension, Finance and Administration, Strategic Planning, and Governance committees. Key discussion topics included investment performance and infrastructure asset class recommendations, a review of financial statements and the Oracle system conversion, an update on water distribution system funding for transmission main repairs, and proposed parcel and storm water fees to address drainage system shortfalls. Several resolutions were passed, including contract awards, amendments, and final project acceptances.

The agenda focuses on financial and operational oversight including an executive summary, water distribution system funding, a stormwater fee update, and a parcel fee assessment. Action items include authorizing contract amendments for professional services related to drainage and feasibility studies, awarding a contract for skilled and unskilled maintenance labor, and approving several contract amendments and change orders for sewer rehabilitation and water line replacement projects. The meeting also includes final acceptances for various sewer rehabilitation projects and provides informational updates on HGI, CFO, FEMA, and EDBP reports.

This document, an agenda for a joint meeting, details the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans' financial status and outlines key strategic initiatives. A central component is the Immediate Action Plan for Water Distribution System Funding, which proposes immediate (2026), near-term (2026-2027), and long-term (2027+) activities for urgent repairs, replacements, and overall system rehabilitation, along with their funding sources. Additionally, it addresses a Stormwater Fee Update, recommending a balanced funding approach combining consolidated property taxes and a user-based stormwater fee to meet critical infrastructure needs.

The board discussed investment performance reports including the executive summary and market environment report. A key action item involved the authorization of a manager for the designated private infrastructure asset class. Additionally, the pension committee reviewed infrastructure asset class recommendations and investment manager status updates.

The committee held a meeting to conduct a roll call and proceed with the selection of the Chair and Vice Chair. The primary business included the discussion and vetting of fourteen applicants for the Consumer/Community Advocate position, followed by committee nominations and discussions regarding these candidates, an announcement of the selected candidates, and a public comment period.