The Mamou Town Council discussed the upcoming budget, heard about a new traffic program, and voted to raise the water, sewage, and meter rates at Wednesday’s meeting.
The council approved the budget, presented by CPA Michael Johnson. The amended budget for 2019 and proposed budget for 2020 is prepared with anticipated revenues, expenses, transfers, and fund balances for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2019 and 2020, respectively.
The beginning fund balance for 2019 was $4,462,762, with a projected ending fund balance of $3,794,702. That is projected to carry over to the beginning fund balance of the 2020 budget, with a projected 2020 ending fund balance of $3,661,362.
After revenues, expenditures and depreciation, the town shows a shortfall of $453,060 for the 2019 budget. After transfers from other funds to offset that amount, the budget going into 2020 will be balanced, and the projected surplus for 2020 is $81,660.
The council also approved a $5 increase each to water service, sewer service, and water meter rates to help raise revenue for the upcoming budget. There was a public hearing before the meeting, but no citizen was there to speak or make an objection.
The proposed 2020 capital outlay is $163,000, which includes $50,000 for gas lines, $40,000 for room improvement or replacement in the recreation department, $25,000 for a shredder in the street department, and $20,000 for the police chief’s truck.
The water system project, which has already been approved by the council, has its own budget. The approximate total cost is projected at $3.5 million. Fontenot said they have received the estimate on the value of the property, and now they are working on getting a purchase agreement with the property owner, so they can get the project started.
The council made a motion to propose an ordinance to amend the 2019 budget to amounts shown as “Amended to 12/31/19 Projected Actual Result at Year End,” and have a public hearing at the next meeting. They also made a motion to propose an ordinance to adopt the 2020 budget of anticipated revenues and expenditures, with a public hearing at the next meeting.
In other action, Police Chief Brent Zachary asked the council to approve a traffic program to be set up for a six-month trial period. This program would generate money for the town and the police department. He said other departments are seeing an average of $30,000 a month or more in revenue, and have been able to put more officers on the road and increase funds received. The program also acts as another source of supplemental pay for officers, as they would be paid $30-$35 per hour, working an eight-hour shift for a maximum of 30 hours per pay period. It would be paid with funds generated from the program. After you take out the officer’s pay and the fuel for the units, what’s left would go 50/50 split between the P.D. and the town.
Zachary said, “There’s a need that needs to be met here in the town. If we can get this program going, I’m fine with taking less of my portion to help out the town.” Mayor Ricky Fontenot said there are some procedures they need to adopt before they can go through with it. They agreed to research how to implement the program and hopefully get an answer by the next meeting.
Zachary also asked the council to hire a full time dispatcher for $8.27 an hour. The council approved.
Additionally, the council agreed to seek grant funding with LGAP grants and the Community Water Enrichment Fund.
The council announced the Mamou Christmas Parade will be December 7th at 11:00 a.m. at Mamou High School. Immediately following, they will have Santa at City Hall, a balloon artist, face painting, etc. The Christmas tree will be lit. This event is free to the public.
July 12, 2026
