Proposals to amend the 2018 fiscal year budget and to adopt the 2019 fiscal year budget were voted upon and accepted during a special meeting of the Evangeline Parish Police Jury Thursday.
Secretary-Treasurer Donald Bergeron said about the amended budget, “the amendments were to bring our budgets in line for a final year.”
The 2018 budget was amended to reflect $3,307,418.00 in total revenues and $3,054,052.00 in total expenses leaving $253,366.00 in total revenues over expenses.
The 2019 budget, which includes a three percent salary increase, projects $3,138,460 in total revenues and $3,122,145.00 in total expenditures with a remainder of $16,315.00 in total revenues over expenses.
Driving the increased expenditures, according to Bergeron, are the “criminal court expenses that continue to rise and will eventually need a long term solution.”
Total revenues for the criminal fund in the 2018 amended budget are $669,436.00 while $696,034.00 in the budget for 2019. Total expenditures in both budgets are $695,618.00 for amended fiscal year 2018 and $696,034.00 for 2019.
All in all, Bergeron described the 2019 budget as being a “balanced budget which meets our needs.” He added, “We hope our year goes well.”
At press time on Friday, it was not known how much the three percent raise would cost the police jury.
While on the subject of the budget, jury Vice-President Ryan Ardoin questioned Parish Attorney Marcus Fontenot about the recently passed constitutional amendment allowing political subdivisions to conduct work across boundary lines. He also asked Fontenot would Evangeline Parish have to use its funds in doing the work.
Fontenot’s appreciation of the amendment, as he said Thursday, is “we may, but we’re not required” to do the work. “It’s a may not a shall.”
He added, “The jury would have to vote on it, but it’s a brand new law and hadn’t been interpreted by the courts.”
Bergeron said about the issue, “That’s going to create a challenge because it opens up a lot of requests but no new money.”
“Again, it’s a may not a shall,” replied Fontenot. “You don’t have to do anything.”
Public Works Director Chester Granger commented, “I can see a big problem coming because they’re already getting in line. We’ll have to have extra men because if we’re working in any city limits or in any parish you will not be able to keep up with what you have in the countryside. We already can’t.”
No action was taken on the matter.
In other business, the jury:
• adopted a resolution authorizing the secretary-treasuer to sign required documents for Office of Community Development for the 2016 flood event.
• discussed changes to the IRS milage rates for 2019.
• approved full time employment status for Tremeeka Leday as Section 8 assistant.
• adopted Evangeline 911 operating budget.
• set the January 2019 meeting for January 7 at 5:00 p.m.
• discussed capital outlay plans.
• and reviewed and accepted bids for materials and services for fiscal year 2019.
September 4, 2026
