The New Orleans City Council is the legislative branch of the City of New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. Established in 1954 through a home rule charter, it replaced the city’s previous commission form of government created under the 1912 Charter. The current structure includes seven members: five elected from single-member districts and two elected at-large. Council members serve four-year terms, elected using the two-round system.[1]
The Council holds broad legislative powers, including enacting local laws, approving the city budget, and overseeing taxation and appropriations. It is responsible for laws related to public health, safety, welfare, and urban development, such as zoning regulations, housing standards, and land use policies. The Council also acts as a Board of Review for property tax assessments and has final approval over significant contracts, appointments, and city agency budgets. Its authority extends uniquely to regulating electric and gas utilities within the city, a power typically reserved for state commissions in most U.S. municipalities.[2]
Members
The Council’s structure includes a president and vice president chosen from among its members at its organizational meeting following elections. One at-large member serves as president, while any other member may serve as vice president.[3] Leadership traditionally rotates annually between the two at-large members. Council business is supported by personal and central staff, with additional assistance from executive branch advisors. Public transparency is maintained through open meetings, public records compliance, and adherence to state and city ethics codes.[2]
The current members of the New Orleans City Council:[4]
Allard Jr., Caricks, Cavelier Petit, Lebreton Deschapelles, Donaldson, François Joseph LeBreton Dorgenois, Joseph Faurie, Fortier, W. E. Hulings, Jones, J. Livaudais, Pierre Petit, James Pitot, Thomas H. Porée, A. D. Tureaud, Villere, J. N. Watkins, S. Winter
Antoine Carraby, Thomas L. Harman, P. Lavergne, Macdonaugh, S. Winter
John B. Macarty, Lebreton Deschapelles, Mayronne
Louis Blanc, Deflechier, Hazeur Delorme Sr., J. Du Buys, Guillotte, J. Livaudais, Arnaud Magnon, C. Patton, Pedesclaux, Pollock, Denis de la Ronde, Charles Trudeau
S. Blanc, W. Christy, Martin Gordon, Livermore, W. Morse, Paulding, S. Paxton, Alexander Philips, Ben P. Porter, Isaac T. Preston, J. L. Preston, Ripley, J. H. Shepherd, D. Urquhart, C. West
Bacas, E. Carraby, Lenon Cavelier, N. Girod, B. Gryma, N. Lauve, Yves L. Monier, Reynes, Thomas, J. B. B. Vignie, J. B. Wiltz
A. Abat, Bernard, M. Cruzat, A. Davezac, J. B. Faget, Mercier, Mittenberger, T. Mossey, Gallien Preval, J. Rodriguez
Francois Benetaud, J. Cucullu, Jean Lanna, B. Montreuil, Peychaud, J. Quessart
L. S. Blancard, J. F. Canonge, Leander La Coste, L. C. Hiligsberg, B. Marigny, Edmond Meance, Naba
Thomas Bickel, Nathaniel Cox, Harvey Elkins, Francois Gaiennie, Samuel H. Harper, P. D. Henry, John Linton, W. N. Montgomery, H. W. Palfrey, F. L. Turner, Maunsell White
J. A. Fort, Burthe, P. Foucher, Charles Genois, Kenny Laverty, P. A. Rousseau
L. Allard, B. Beauregard, E. Blanc, M. Fleytas
Council members under the 1954 Charter
Under the 1954 Charter, council members are elected to four-year terms that begin on the first Monday in May following the election, except that a councilmember elected to fill a vacancy serves only for the remainder of the unexpired term.[13] Vacancies that occur less than one year before the end of the term may be filled by appointment; vacancies of a year or longer are filled by special election, and that vacancy may be filled by appointment for the period before the special election.[14]
After the regular 1970 elections, a redistricting dispute delayed the next regular Council elections until 1976, and the following regular Council election was held in 1978.[13]
Effective in 1991, a council member who has served more than one and a half terms in two consecutive terms may not be elected to the office for the following term.[13][14]
Beginning in 2014 the at-large seats are voted on as separate offices, designated as Division 1 and Division 2.[15]
Effective June 1, 2018, the terms of office begin on the second Monday in January following the election.[16]
Office holders for terms before 2022 and reference notes for those office holders are from the City Archives at the New Orleans Public Library. Office holders for the 2022-2026 term are from the Louisiana Secretary of State election results for the November 13, 2021, general election and the December 11, 2021, runoff election.
^1967-1970; elected to fill Marcus' unexpired term
^After the regular 1970 elections, a redistricting dispute delayed the next regular Council elections until 1976. The next regular election for Council was held in 1978.
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