Baton Rouge Mayor Cuts Staff as Budget Pressure Mounts
The layoffs come as Baton Rouge faces fiscal strain following the failed tax proposal
BATON ROUGE, La. — Mayor-President Sid Edwards laid off four employees Monday in response to voter rejection of his three-tier tax plan, part of a 12% budget reduction aimed at stabilizing city finances.
The affected positions include the Chief Efficiency Officer, two communications staffers, and the Operations Director for the mayor’s satellite offices. City payroll records show salaries ranging from $63,000 to more than $156,000, with additional allowances for some roles.
“These were difficult decisions, but necessary to bring city spending in line with available revenue,” Edwards said, emphasizing that the cuts are part of a broader effort to maintain essential services.
Unclassified employees are entitled to a hearing before termination. The city plans to hold these hearings in mid-December, with the process expected to conclude by early January. It is unclear whether staff will receive pay during this period.
The layoffs come as Baton Rouge faces fiscal strain following the failed tax proposal, which aimed to generate new revenue for city operations. Officials have indicated that additional reductions may be required across other departments, though no further specifics have been released.
The Metro Council is scheduled to review the mayor’s budget Wednesday, with presentations from criminal justice agencies, including the District Attorney and Office of Public Defender, expected. City officials say the discussions will focus on maintaining public services while responding to budget shortfalls.
