Metropolitan Council adopts 2026 budget after amendments; debate centers on Entergy franchise-fee allocations

The Metropolitan Council voted to adopt the 2026 consolidated budget for the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge on Dec. 9 after approving a substitute motion that incorporated a package of council-led amendments.

Councilwoman Adams offered the substitute, which she said was developed with the mayor’s office and fellow council members; the amendment package shifts a series of district-level transfers to juvenile, family, district and other courts, the district attorney and public-defender offices, drainage and maintenance, and other local priorities. After electronic voting and a roll call, the substitute motion carried.

A member of the public, Robert Joiner of 6037 Hickory Ridge Boulevard, told the council he wanted assurance that the version being voted on matched the public notice and contested how Entergy franchise-fee revenue was allocated. Joiner said the franchise renewal had generated additional revenue he described as being “allocated to all of the city council’s operations budget” and raised concerns that council operations budgets had grown even as public-works positions were reduced.

Council members responded during the meeting. Councilwoman Dunn Jr. said the franchise agreement had produced more revenue than projected, telling the council, “It actually produced and raised $4,600,000,” and outlined how the fee revenue was used: according to Dunn Jr., council members set aside roughly $1,200,000 to bolster council staff and district-level activity, with additional allocations including about $500,000 to the district attorney’s office, $250,000 to BRPD, and other sums to the parish attorney and public defender. Councilwoman Gong echoed that the funds were applied to constituent services and said she supported restoring the constable’s office where appropriate.

The substitute motion was seconded by Councilwoman Harris. The presiding officer opened electronic voting and then conducted a roll call confirming affirmative votes from a majority of council members, after which the presiding officer announced the motion carried.

What happens next: With the council’s adoption of the amended budget, the listed transfers and allocations can be implemented as directed by council action. The council did not reverse the earlier roll-call affirmation during the meeting; no further votes on Item 1 were recorded at the session.

Sources: Council meeting, Dec. 9, 2025 (public comment and council debate).