With Village Clerk Laken Fontenot being out for an additional three months on maternity leave, Chataignier Mayor Justin Darbonne suggested giving her a phone allowance and Internet allowance “because everything is transferred to her.”
Fontenot is working from home while she is on leave.
“I didn’t come up with a phone allowance amount,” the mayor said. “I’ll leave it to the board to decide what they want to do.”
Councilwoman Debra Fontenot, however, raised issues with the recommendation. “I don’t see in the budget where there is room for any allowances, but it always seems to be that we find money to pay what we need to pay.”
Councilwoman Carilyn Arvie suggested raising Fontenot’s salary for those months because “everything has to be transferred on her phone.”
As discussion continued, Fontenot again said, “We always say there’s no money in the budget for anything else, but we always seem to find the money to accommodate when it’s necessary. I will not be voting on that. Y’all can make that decision.”
With her abstention, the matter was tabled because Councilman J.B. Brasseaux was not present to vote.
Later in the meeting, Mayor Darbonne reported on the Easter basket giveaway. Color sheets for the contest have been mailed and are due back on Monday, March 29. The drawing will be held on Wednesday, March 31, for two boys and two girls.
Mayor Darbonne also reported the village will receive an estimated $133,741.00 from the latest federal stimulus package.
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Tony Marks
Editor