The Week: No Lines at the DMV and a ‘Who Dat’ Martini
NEW ORLEANS – Orleans Parish property owners were happy to hear that the New Orleans City Council unanimously approved a $726 million budget for 2020 that included reduced tax rates in several categories to offset the effects of higher property assessments that kicked in earlier this year. Tax rates for fire, police, the Sewerage & Water Board and other services will stay the same but taxes for the Audubon Commission, New Orleans Public Library and capital improvements will be cut from 2019 levels to reduce the overall increase in property taxes. The Orleans Parish School Board will be “rolling forward” its current tax rate to take full advantage of the increased assessments. Property owners will have to wait until they open up their tax bill at the end of December to find out if the new figure is “naughty or nice.” …
The most lasting effect of Monday’s thwarted “ransomware” attack on Louisiana state computer systems? All 79 locations of the state’s Office of Motor Vehicles have been closed since the incident and aren’t expected to open until Monday. Otherwise, it appears the state acted quickly to contain the problem and avoid paying ransom or experiencing any other major problems. Gov. John Bel Edwards said state troopers would “use discretion” this weekend when deciding to issue citations for expired licenses. The silver lining? At least there weren’t any lines at the OMV this week. …
Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer said that the struggling North Shore Square mall is one of three finalists to be the new home of the National Finance Center, an agency that manages payroll for the Navy. The agency is planning a move from its current location at the Michoud Assembly Facility in eastern New Orleans. … Sadly, the Ozanam Inn homeless shelter on Camp Street in downtown New Orleans will have to find a new home. The building’s owners, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, sold the building to a developer who plans to build a hotel and parking garage. … In Baton Rouge, the former site of the Holsum Bread Bakery in Baton Rouge is now the home of Ready Shield Solutions, a manufacturer of steel-frame homes that are resistant to floods, hurricanes and fires. …
Now hiring: Video game quality assurance company Testronic is now hiring up to 150 people to work at its downtown New Orleans facility, which is due to open in January. Click here to apply. … Meanwhile, Louisiana Economic Development said that the Solomon Group, an entertainment design and production company, will be creating 86 new jobs with an average salary of $64,000 as part of Louisiana’s Entertainment Jobs Creation Program. …
Branford Marsalis
Tank and the Bangas, Nigel Hall, Lucky Daye, PJ Morton and Branford Marsalis are just some of the New Orleans musicians to be nominated for a 2020 Grammy Award. See the complete list. …
Gardner Realtors said it just completed the sale of the most expensive single family residence ever sold in New Orleans. The 14,000 square-foot house at 620 Ursulines Avenue in the French Quarter is definitely nicer than yours. …
And finally, Who Dat Vodka had its official coming-out party on Wednesday night at Gris Gris Restaurant on Magazine Street. If you were lucky enough to get your hands on a bottle from the first batch, make sure you pour yourself a nice cocktail to enjoy during Sunday’s Saints-Panthers game. Have a great weekend.
