Inspector general questions city process for tax exemption deals

A city of New Orleans agency that’s responsible for tens of millions of dollars in tax breaks is in need of a standardized and transparent set of policies for determining which projects should receive the incentives, according to a city watchdog.

A public letter issued Tuesday (Aug. 6) by New Orleans Inspector General Ed Michel raised concerns over how the Industrial Development Board of New Orleans chooses to approve payments-in-lieu-of-taxes deals, also known as PILOTs, in the city.