The Ville Platte Housing Authority went over other financial matters, including its budget for the new fiscal year, at its meeting Tuesday night.
Vice-Chairman David Ortego said the total revenue for this year, after 10 months, is $455,166.96. Last year it was $457,381.94. The rentals are down by $17,795.97. Ortego said they expected that decrease due to renovations and some periods of time where they had more vacancies than usual. “I think that’s on the upswing,” he said.
The board agreed to lower the cost of rentals to attract higher-income renters. The old model had renters paying a percentage of their income. Currently, there is a flat rate of $430.57 for a one bedroom apartment. With the new model, the price would be $296.00 for a one bedroom apartment. The new cost of rent would take effect August 1. Soileau said it would take about a year to get a financial turnover, but they will get more renters this way, which will in turn generate more revenue. Lartigue said “It’ll be more pleasing to our working class people.”
The board approved the budget for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2019 and ending June 30, 2020. Total revenue projected is $1,340,000.00, while projected operating expenses total $1,320,500.00.
The board discussed insurance rates. The rates are $26,000.00 more than last year. Soileau said liability went up from $72,000 to $83,000, and flood insurance also increased. Hospitalization is going up as well, by $130 per employee. Currently, they are paying $141 per employee.
Ortego made a motion to postpone any decision on insurance adjustments until the rest of the board members are present. The motion carried.
In other announcements, Soileau said apartment 225 has been vacant since April 1, 2019 and renovations on it are about 60% completed. Apartment 14 is ready. Apartment 193 has maintenance working on it, but is ready. Apartment 175 has maintenance working on it. Maintenance has not started working on apartment 206 yet.
Soileau said the Civil Service Board approved a 2% pay increase, and one employee was promoted from maintenance repairman one to maintenance repairman two.
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Nancy Duplechain
Associate Editor