A defiant New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell is refusing to pay the city roughly $29,000 she charged this year to upgrade her city air travel to business and first-class. “All expenses incurred doing business on behalf of the city of New Orleans will not be reimbursed to the city of New Orleans,” she said Thursday at an event in Algiers. “One thing is clear: I do my job, and I will continue to do it with distinction and integrity every step of the way. That’s what I have to say on that.” The city’s travel policy states, “Employees are required to purchase the lowest airfare available…Employees who choose an upgrade from coach, economy, or business class flights are solely responsible for the difference in cost.” The policy also states “Any reconciliation of travel expenses that results in overpayment by the City requires that the employee reimburse the City within twenty business days” “The policy of the city of New Orleans says employees, if they decide to fly first-class as opposed to the lower fare, they have to reimburse the city,” New Orleans attorney and legal analyst Tim Meche said.