Dear Editor:
Elected officials have a responsibility to be transparent with the people they serve. It is also their duty to make doing the right thing their top priority because every single decision they make matters.
When government begins to operate on half-truths, like Ville Platte officials have done recently by using statements such as “in the past 20 years” we have or have not done certain things, it becomes paramount for those who understand the system to educate the ones who deserve to know what is transpiring and offer advice on ways to make things better.
Not only is the statement that utility rates have not been increased in nearly 20 years false, but it is also important for most of the current administration to recognize that their spent “serving” residents of Ville Platte encompasses nearly half of the 20 years they have referred to on numerous occasions.
The first step to getting on the right track is admitting the real problem. It is time for our “leaders” to earn their title by taking ownership of their missteps in running the city so that the future of Ville Platte can begin to look bright.
The information the current administration has not shared is expenses today are higher than they have been for the past 20 years. More money has been spent than in the past five administrations with little results to show for it.
In addition, the mayor’s salary and expenses have increased from $36,860 in 2002 and $40,560 in 2010 to $112,848 in 2018, and the executive expenses have increased by $81,355 since 2010. Those expenses in 2010 were $152,122 compared to $233,477 in 2018.
What does the City of Ville Platte have to show for those increases in spending? Is the city’s dime being spent on trips and goodie bags instead of roads and water projects?
Where has the money been spent from the 5% fund requirement of the 1984 sales tax? This money is dedicated to be used for street repairs and drainage, but we have not seen a street overlay project during this administration, and the canals are filled with trees and trash.
In the past, administrations would divide that money among council members who then were able to complete road projects in their district. Money was also shared between council members for their districts. All districts experienced road improvements.
Former councilmen Larry Vidrine, J.S. Fontenot, and ourselves (Bill Jeanmard and Bennett Baquet) were instrumental in securing the 5% street funding to be used by future administrations.
As it relates to the council approving an ordinance implementing a 2.2 percent automatic rate increase yearly, the public has been led to believe the bonding attorney tells the council what it must do. When in actuality, the bonding attorney gives an administration advice and also offers it different options that were in the best interest of the consumer.
The suggested 2.2 percent automatic rate increase is not in the best interest of the public because what if one year the utility funds do well?
However, one making the 2.2 percent increase an option based on how utility funds look at the end of the fiscal year is a better option.
During our administrations, it was also vital for us as city officials to work closely with those in city hall as well as individuals like our engineer Ronnie Landreneau so that we could spend the public’s money in the best way possible.
In addition to the 5% fund requirement of the 1984 tax, the city also benefitted from the bond election of 2009 which was to bring in an estimated $522,688.22 annually for water improvements for 20 years, and the increase of $1.50 per 2,000 gallons.
The city also received additional revenues from the sales tax at Wal-Mart beginning in 2012, which was projected by the past administration to be a banner year.
How is that money being spent by the current administration today?
What we do know is expenses under the current administration is up by $1.8 million per year and continues to grow. Drive around town and decide where that $1.8 million is going.
Is poor management the real reason for these utility increases, and the current administration just does not want to admit it? Because, we also know the utility system was profitable under the previous five administrations.
Before even discussing increases of any kind, city officials should first recognize the city is big business and deals with millions of dollars. For that reason, it is important for officials to have a hands on approach as the past five administrations have. In the past, leaders have reviewed the utility financials each month and made fee decisions within the bond requirements at the time. This is no longer being done.
Another major issue with the current financial state of the city is the fact the public is left wondering where has the money gone? We really don’t know with the ever changing numbers coming out of city hall.
Previous administrations were transparent and open with the public in an effort to continue a good working and trustworthy relationship between officials and their boss - the people they serve. This is one main fundamental which government has been built upon. Officials do not work for themselves. Their position is not about power, money, and control. Their position is all about working for their constituents.
Where has that mentality gone? Where has the city gone wrong? Where has the money disappeared to? Is it time for someone or the state to step in and review the city dealings to save us before all hope is gone? We will try to answer that by shedding light on how city hall and the public’s government operated during our administrations in a near future edition of the Ville Platte Gazette.