City HallFriday, November 6
Mayor-President Edwards proposes a 2027 budget that doesn't plan layoffs
The Daily Baton Rouge team
If you've been bracing for more cuts, Thursday brought a better sign. Mayor-President Sid Edwards presented his proposed 2027 budget to the Metro Council, and WBRZ reports he said some frozen positions may stay frozen as people retire. The general fund, which pays for core services, is proposed at $344.7 million.
“You’re not going to see the layoff situation we had in 2026 in 2027. That’s mainly because of what we did and the difficult decisions we had to make in ’26.”
The general fund would grow to $344.7 million in 2027
Source: WAFB
View as table
| Value | |
|---|---|
| 2026 adopted | $332.4 million |
| 2027 proposed | $344.7 million |
Edwards says the plan stresses fiscal discipline while keeping essential services, with priorities in public safety, blight, homelessness outreach and economic development.
- Blight: fines up to $1,000 per day on neglected commercial properties
- Public safety: continued funding for police and fire academies
- Homelessness: grant matching to expand shelters and transitional housing
- Economic development: modernizing the Raising Cane's River Center
The proposed budget grows modestly and rebuilds reserves
- $344.7 million
- proposed general fund for 2027
- 3.72%
- growth over the 2026 adopted budget
- 25%
- rise in reserves since Edwards took office
- 8.5%
- roughly, the proposed rise in police funding