Dear Editor:
Communication was one of the most important factors when it came to previous administrations assuring the success of the City of Ville Platte. During our (Bill Jeanmard and Bennett Baquet) time as councilmen and then mayors, we worked with and relied on assistance from city hall employees such as Donna Veillon and Donna Guillory who kept officials abreast of the city’s finances. They did a superb job at keeping us well informed.
While we were in office, it was also imperative that we provided the council and the press with packets of the monthly bank balances and all city accounts including dedicated and undedicated funds. In addition, these parties were supplied with summary accounts payable listing 30, 60, and 90+ days’ outstanding accounts that needed to be paid. We also received regular reports listing regular overtime stats. Deposits and balancing of the ledgers daily were also a very important part of making sure all city finances were accounted for and being spent properly.
Each morning, previous mayors, who had other full time jobs, were briefed on the bank balances and reconciliations on utility collections and payroll and non-payroll disbursements. We also valued the input of the staff working at city hall because we understood the ones who were down in the trenches doing the real work would have an even better understanding of their departments than we would. For that reason, we made it a point to have monthly meetings with our department heads to discuss any issues or pending expenditures that might be coming up
Donna Veillon was instrumental in assisting us with keeping track of the 5% fund requirement of the 1984 tax we mentioned in our previous letter to the editor. This fund, which was to be used for street repairs and drainage, was highly important when it came to giving the tax payers and residents of Ville Platte updates to the city that were beneficial for all who live here and for those wishing to visit. It does not appear that the current administration is performing in the same manor previous administrations have; therefore, we are concerned that the current officials are not aware of the need for this balance in order to be able to provide for their individual districts.
In the past, our administrations would provide council members with a report that compares the expenses for the month against the budgeted amount and the expenses from the previous year. These are simple accounting principles that are not being done. Today, instead the council is given the expenses with a month-to-month variance sprinkled with a little woohoo if the city spent less one month than it did the previous month. This method has clearly proven to be dangerous for the future of the city’s finances.
Poor management of the people’s money and a lack of oversight when it comes to the finances of the city is the reality of today. We should not be using fuzzy math or voodoo economics.
We appointed city clerks with a sound financial background that were always available to the public. We realized the importance of this position. Our city clerks, including Gwen Phillips, Nina David, Bryan Savant, Shelley Fruge’ and others, were instrumental when it came to keeping the previous administrations well aware of the finances.
It would have not taken previous administrations nine years to assess the decline in the utilities customer base and revenues and the extra expenses. Maybe less time should have been spent trying to find a way to purchase more bright red trucks than the number of individuals the city even has to drive these vehicles. Adequate time spent reviewing finances and working with officials, advisors and the public would have alleviated the need for these “urgent” massive increases to utilities rates, the recent increases to city property taxes, and the cutting of money for public safety.
As the next budget rolls around, it is important for officials to remember what you do matters. The decisions you make matters, and putting the public first is most important.
Currently all we hear about are increases, but where are the reductions and are they in the places that will have the least negative impact on the citizens? These utilities increases will affect the average person’s pocket book even more than what has been realized. The public won’t just be paying more for their utilities but also for everyday items they have to purchase at local businesses because these increases will force businesses to have to charge more for products. This is the trickle down effect. When businesses have to pay more, then so will the consumer.
If we all work together, the public, individuals well versed in finances, and former officials may be able to assist in finding the areas where reductions can be made. Becoming a team in this process may mean that it is time for the public, the taxpayers, to request financials from the city’s attorney and/or auditor.
We have numerous great assets at our disposal such as the city engineer, community leaders, the city attorney, city accountants, and more who could assist in finding other ways to solve the current budget problems. So, utilize them, and let’s start doing the right thing. Let’s not criticize our citizens and business leaders for voicing their opinions. As city leaders, always remember that you are servants of the people and you should think with them and feel for them.