Marshal reports office failed to receive funds from city

City Marshal Nicole Snoddy addressed the Ville Platte City Council at their May 11 meeting. She said her office did not receive the $15,000 they were supposed to receive last year for their operating budget. “I need better resources to do a better job,” said Snoddy, who needs the money for better equipment, mostly cars.
The council told her she should have received it in August of last year. Snoddy, who was not the marshal at that time, noticed the money missing in an audit. She said the acting marshal at the time should have received it. Mayor Jennifer Vidrine said they will check with the city treasurer to see what happened.
Councilman Bryant Riggs commended Snoddy on improvements made to the marshal’s office. She said there is a backlog of warrants. “We’re working really hard, and I’m proud of my guys,” said Snoddy, adding her office has about $200,000 in uncollected fines. Vidrine said, “There’s money for your vehicles right there.” Riggs said, “But here’s the caveat: that takes time,” adding, “The city does benefit from fines being collected, and you (the marshal) benefit from it.” He made several suggestions on how to get vehicles for her office and asked her to get some numbers together so the city could see about helping her out.
The Gazette reached out to the city treasurer the next day to get more information about the unreceived $15,000 for the City Marshal’s budget last August. The treasurer was not in the office, and several other officials were unavailable. A call was also placed to City Marshal Nicole Snoddy who said she has not yet heard back from City Hall.
Further at the council meeting, Vidrine announced the city will begin taking calls and applications to rent the Civic Center beginning June 1. The decision to allow Northside Civic Center rentals was made because COVID-19 restrictions have been relaxed around the state. Vidrine asked people to still wear masks. “We’re the second lowest percentage in the parish for people who have been vaccinated. That’s not good at all,” said Vidrine, adding the last time she checked, only 22% of the entire parish has been vaccinated.
Vidrine also announced a mass COVID vaccine will be held at the Civic Center on May 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. This will be the second dose for those who received the first dose earlier, but they will also be giving the first round of the Pfizer vaccine which now includes ages 16 and up. No appointment is necessary.
Vidrine said the city just received the guidance for their $2.5 million pandemic stimulus funds. “We want to make sure we do this properly because that money will definitely be audited,” she said, adding most of it will be for infrastructure, water and sewer.
Councilman Lionel Anderson asked about the progress on streetlights in his neighborhood. Vidrine said Cleco has installed new lights, but the lights are being shot out. Cleco will try some different lights that will, hopefully, be able to withstand bullets. She added Cleco has to have security there to make sure the workers are safe when they install the streetlights.