[00:00.000 --> 00:09.420]  budget finance committee meeting to order at 1 p.m. and we're going to ask
[00:09.420 --> 00:14.780]  honorable Councilman J. Ein if he'll give us an invocation followed by a
[00:14.780 --> 00:19.620]  pledge of allegiance by honorable Mark Duhon if he's willing.
[00:31.000 --> 00:34.400]  What I ask that you touch everyone here in attendance.
[00:38.100 --> 00:42.700]  But bless us all as we do these things. Amen.
[00:46.600 --> 00:47.100]  Thank you.
[00:48.600 --> 00:54.000]  I'm United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation
[00:54.000 --> 00:57.200]  under God and invisible with liberty and justice.
[01:01.000 --> 01:05.700]  Thank you Madam Clerk would you call the roll please? Yes sir.
[01:05.700 --> 01:11.400]  Reverend Matthews? Present. Mr. Ein? Here. Mr. Olander? Present. Mr. Heal? Present.
[01:11.400 --> 01:18.800]  Mr. Rolfe? Present. Mr. Abear? Present. Mr. Davis? Present. Mr. Duhon? Present. Mr. Adams? He's absent.
[01:18.800 --> 01:23.100]  Dr. Ring? Present. And Mrs. Hidalgo? Present. You have a quorum? Present, sir.
[01:23.100 --> 01:28.840]  Thank you very much. At this time the agenda calls for public comment item
[01:28.840 --> 01:34.120]  five. There's no one signed in but we'll open the floor to anyone in the
[01:34.120 --> 01:38.120]  audience that might not have had the opportunity to sign in if you would like
[01:38.120 --> 01:41.720]  to render public comments at this time.
[01:43.520 --> 01:52.120]  Hearing none we'll move on to item 6-O business. 6-A is review and action
[01:52.120 --> 01:56.500]  relevant to the current period financial statements and approval budgets for the
[01:56.500 --> 02:03.180]  year 2024-2025. All right ladies and gentlemen we have been provided that
[02:03.180 --> 02:10.260]  information. Priorfully everyone has had an opportunity to review and at this
[02:10.260 --> 02:13.540]  time we will open up the floor for any discussion. This is on the current
[02:13.540 --> 02:24.260]  financial statements for the periods ending fiscal year September 30th 2025.
[02:27.500 --> 02:35.300]  Question. Broadcast with three-tenths money for Kemper-Williams. Has any of the
[02:35.300 --> 02:40.060]  five eight three-tenths money were used for anything at the Kemper Williams Park?
[02:40.060 --> 02:45.380]  With the improvements that were just done? The grant match is budgeted in the Kemper
[02:45.380 --> 02:49.260]  Williams Park fund and has not been spent yet but the match is it's been
[02:49.260 --> 02:52.440]  budgeted there for two years the project just finished this year. But that's
[02:52.440 --> 02:56.160]  coming out of three-tenths money? That's correct.
[03:07.560 --> 03:13.160]  Mr. Gouvernal is there anything you'd like to share regarding this?
[03:13.160 --> 03:17.120]  You know the only thing is it's it's a tough year I mean and you're all aware
[03:17.120 --> 03:22.920]  that revenues are not you know what we anticipated them to be and we're still
[03:22.920 --> 03:26.960]  I'm not saying we're struggling but we're watching every penny very closely.
[03:26.960 --> 03:32.080]  We've had some unexpected expenditures in 2025 a lot of repairs a lot of our
[03:32.080 --> 03:39.240]  equipment is getting older specifically at the landfill you know our jail costs
[03:39.240 --> 03:44.080]  are not going down those are going up there's just a lot of things you just
[03:44.120 --> 03:48.480]  know just the cost of living is going up so you know it's not we're not flushed
[03:48.480 --> 03:52.960]  with money like we had been in the past in the past few years and it's just
[03:52.960 --> 03:56.920]  something you know we're trying to you know keep our employees keep them you
[03:56.920 --> 04:02.040]  know keep the ones you keep as many as we can try to pay them as fairly which
[04:02.040 --> 04:08.760]  you know you'll see in a couple months how we pan out but that just to let
[04:08.760 --> 04:14.360]  everybody know it has been a tough year so far and you know but we're keeping
[04:14.360 --> 04:17.760]  the lights on we're keeping people paid you know we're having to shuffle things
[04:17.760 --> 04:22.840]  around a little bit but you know Desiree and I you know meet every day where we
[04:22.840 --> 04:30.200]  are it's been tough but we're making it we're not broke don't say we broke not
[04:30.200 --> 04:35.520]  broke. I appreciate you clarifying that it's part of the statement you know I
[04:35.560 --> 04:42.520]  just I just think it's it's in very very poor taste when we present that type of
[04:42.520 --> 04:47.840]  public message that the parish is broke I appreciate you you know not saying that.
[04:47.840 --> 04:55.080]  What about as it relates to parish equipment that the road crews depend upon
[04:55.080 --> 05:00.080]  I know that there had been some equipment that had gone down have we
[05:00.080 --> 05:07.480]  gotten back up to an acceptable standard so that we could maintain our general
[05:07.480 --> 05:13.440]  responsibilities across the parish? I think generally we can but every day it's
[05:13.440 --> 05:18.240]  something breaks every day you never know if it's gonna be at my house too
[05:18.240 --> 05:22.600]  you never know if it's gonna be a thousand dollar repair or a forty
[05:22.600 --> 05:26.300]  thousand dollar repair and we just handle it one at a time we evaluate the
[05:26.300 --> 05:30.660]  equipment you know I mean Booker and I meet every morning you know he's on top
[05:30.660 --> 05:34.900]  of the equipment whether or not it's worth repairing you know or can you
[05:34.900 --> 05:38.700]  know should we just use it for parts you know it's that thing so you know we're
[05:38.700 --> 05:43.020]  maintaining what we can you know the trash trucks are running the dump trucks
[05:43.020 --> 05:49.620]  are running the the grass cutting is just like it's kind of eating our lunch I
[05:49.620 --> 05:53.100]  mean you know we could we could use definitely two more tractors to cut
[05:53.100 --> 05:57.940]  grass because they run I don't want to say 24-7 but they run when people are
[05:57.940 --> 06:01.480]  working that those those trackers are running all the time in between the
[06:01.480 --> 06:06.900]  levees and highway 90 it's just it's a lot to keep up you know thankfully this
[06:06.900 --> 06:11.700]  cool spell has helped a little bit but it's always a challenge
[06:11.700 --> 06:19.060]  yes sir well okay you're talking about the jail the money for the jail yes sir
[06:19.100 --> 06:24.900]  most that come from the casino and a million or the jail there's a sales tax
[06:24.900 --> 06:30.700]  that covers it that that is dedicated to law enforcement and then the rest of it
[06:30.700 --> 06:36.620]  is covered by a transfer from the general fund to cover the difference how
[06:36.620 --> 06:44.660]  much money we got this year from the casino 1.4 million 1.4 million
[06:44.660 --> 06:47.060]  last
[06:47.220 --> 06:52.540]  can you since can you send you see our economic development land to go talk to
[06:52.540 --> 06:57.180]  them to talk to the casino see what they got up I'm in touch with the casino
[06:57.180 --> 07:01.460]  right now the gentleman from Biloxi called and wants to meet with Sam and I
[07:01.460 --> 07:07.340]  because the the agreement does end next year and he wants to get ahead of it and
[07:07.340 --> 07:11.260]  sign a new agreement we just haven't ironed out the details yet but the
[07:11.260 --> 07:15.340]  gentleman is in contact with I've talked to him twice already that a 10-year
[07:15.340 --> 07:20.340]  agreement of five years it's a football every five years they were in the
[07:20.340 --> 07:28.260]  second second 10-year time I think we're in the second junior yeah he wants to go
[07:28.260 --> 07:36.100]  20 years and I told him I think that's too far so we're talking of he's open
[07:36.100 --> 07:40.060]  to talk and open to discussion and I think particularly because of the
[07:40.060 --> 07:45.460]  fluidity of the economy I wouldn't want to see us lock ourselves into 20-year
[07:45.460 --> 07:48.180]  right that's kind of the way I'm gonna move them out that's kind of the way I
[07:48.180 --> 07:52.740]  feel about it but what if they come up with a different plan with a different
[07:52.740 --> 07:58.020]  operation well right now he just wants to continue what we have and I told him
[07:58.020 --> 08:01.740]  let's talk because when they first remember the first 10 years it was 1.5
[08:01.740 --> 08:06.700]  million and we thought we signed another agreement and it went to a minimum of
[08:06.700 --> 08:14.060]  1.4 with incremental increases based on the level of gaming and we never we
[08:14.060 --> 08:17.660]  never got above the 1.4 and we've checked the level of gaming that's
[08:17.660 --> 08:22.180]  reported to the State Gaming Commission and it's true they have not reported to
[08:22.180 --> 08:27.740]  the state that they've been reached the levels that are in the agreement you
[08:27.740 --> 08:31.660]  know I'm hoping we can structure something to maximize that revenue but
[08:31.700 --> 08:38.140]  you know the economy you know hurts them too you know
[08:40.540 --> 08:51.700]  that all mr. Duhon yes one else current budget financials all right if there's
[08:51.700 --> 08:57.980]  nothing else we can move on to the next item 6b is referred from the October
[08:58.020 --> 09:02.380]  22nd 2025 regular council meeting discussion and action relative to
[09:02.380 --> 09:10.220]  certain administrative budgetary actions Reverend Matthews yes ma'am after my
[09:10.220 --> 09:15.620]  review of the material that the administration provided for me it did
[09:15.620 --> 09:22.180]  answer all of my questions so I'm satisfied with that I don't see any
[09:22.180 --> 09:25.460]  further action being necessary
[09:28.100 --> 09:35.060]  next we have 6c referred from the August 13th 2025 advisory budget finance
[09:35.060 --> 09:38.980]  committee meeting st. Mary community action agency has submitted their
[09:38.980 --> 09:45.020]  pre-application requesting funds for the program year 2025 funding requests 69
[09:45.020 --> 09:48.940]  thousand five hundred transportation funds forty five thousand five hundred
[09:49.140 --> 09:57.140]  and elderly nutrition twenty four thousand dollars so let me just preface
[09:57.140 --> 10:05.700]  this discussion with these remarks I've spent about four hours of my time today
[10:05.700 --> 10:15.180]  in a joint partnership meeting with representatives from across the KDN
[10:15.220 --> 10:22.860]  including st. Mary community action that provide rule public transportation at
[10:22.860 --> 10:29.860]  the request of governor Landry's office a couple years ago we established
[10:29.860 --> 10:37.460]  what's called the Acadiana rule transit consortium and it consists of the
[10:37.460 --> 10:42.140]  chambers of commerce from all eight parishes across this region the
[10:42.180 --> 10:48.540]  Acadiana region the workforce development office it also consists of
[10:48.540 --> 10:53.340]  parish governments it's actually being led by the Iberia parish government
[10:53.340 --> 10:59.700]  because I bury a parish the Iberia parish rule transit initiative is being
[10:59.700 --> 11:07.940]  targeted as a model for the entire state and that program the 5311 rule
[11:08.020 --> 11:15.340]  transportation contract with DOTD is co-sponsored between smile community
[11:15.340 --> 11:20.180]  action and Iberia parish government similar relationship are actually
[11:20.180 --> 11:25.220]  identical relationship to the one that exists between st. Mary parish community
[11:25.220 --> 11:31.340]  at same air parish government and st. Mary community action agents and the
[11:31.380 --> 11:39.500]  governor's office it has pushed for a rule transit program study which has
[11:39.500 --> 11:45.060]  been conducted and I'm sure those results are going to be distributed to
[11:45.060 --> 11:49.220]  each of the parish governments by the governor's office at some point that
[11:49.220 --> 11:59.180]  they deem appropriate but the purpose of this study is to assess the efficiency
[11:59.220 --> 12:05.220]  and effectiveness of the current levels of transport public transportation that
[12:05.220 --> 12:11.900]  are being provided for the indigent population for poor people as we
[12:11.900 --> 12:19.580]  observe a lot of the economic boom that is taking place in parishes in Acadiana
[12:19.580 --> 12:26.700]  other than st. Mary you know at least we're not at a comparable level of you
[12:26.700 --> 12:32.420]  know economic prowess as some of the other parishes particularly our
[12:32.420 --> 12:41.380]  neighboring parishes nonetheless one of the one of the major concerns is how
[12:41.380 --> 12:52.740]  poor people fit into that economic boom and and one of the obvious challenges is
[12:52.780 --> 13:00.340]  maintaining access for poor people to get to the places where public services
[13:00.340 --> 13:05.340]  are being provided where jobs are being offered you know people that are in that
[13:05.340 --> 13:11.780]  are already vulnerable in terms of economic status are limited in resources
[13:11.780 --> 13:18.220]  which means that they have limited to no access to transportation and so when
[13:18.300 --> 13:23.340]  job fairs happen they can't get that when interviews are scheduled they have
[13:23.340 --> 13:27.740]  trouble getting to the interviews when court appearances are mandated they
[13:27.740 --> 13:32.620]  can't get to court sometimes and this bench warrants are issued and just a
[13:32.620 --> 13:42.100]  combination of snowballing negative impacts and so I'm elated that the
[13:42.700 --> 13:49.180]  office is paying attention to this crisis in Acadiana because in urban
[13:49.180 --> 13:55.900]  areas there there are various alternatives to transportation being
[13:55.900 --> 14:00.740]  available for people to access some of the things that I just mentioned but
[14:00.740 --> 14:05.540]  when you talk about rural communities where we don't have lift drives that a
[14:05.540 --> 14:12.860]  charge of less than $50 for a person that's already financially strapped if
[14:12.860 --> 14:18.380]  I can say it that way and just doesn't have the resources they can't it's not
[14:18.380 --> 14:24.540]  as simple as just call a lift or an uber or call a taxi in most areas of st.
[14:24.540 --> 14:30.820]  mary parish I don't even know if a taxi is an option I haven't seen one in four
[14:30.820 --> 14:37.420]  corners are Glencoe so in certain areas of the of our parish that's not even
[14:37.420 --> 14:47.540]  available and so without public transit like community action provides these
[14:47.540 --> 14:56.140]  people are even more disenfranchised than then perhaps they were 40 years ago
[14:56.260 --> 15:03.460]  because there's more availability of resources now but if you can't get to it
[15:03.460 --> 15:08.700]  you're in worse shape now than you were back then when there weren't as much
[15:08.700 --> 15:15.700]  resources to even be available to people in these conditions so this study has
[15:15.700 --> 15:21.260]  been conducted and the consortium is alive and well representatives from st.
[15:21.380 --> 15:26.460]  mary parish are a part of that movement a part of that process and so you're
[15:26.460 --> 15:32.180]  going to hear a lot more about this in the coming season months and weeks to
[15:32.180 --> 15:40.900]  come and so I just thought it would be important to preface this topic with
[15:40.900 --> 15:49.940]  that information of the attention that rural transit services are getting
[15:49.980 --> 15:58.860]  statewide and nationally so that we use that as a basis to help formulate this
[15:58.860 --> 16:06.260]  type of decision now st. mary parish is to be commended because it was mentioned
[16:06.260 --> 16:12.700]  in this meeting I attended today were actually facilitated today that in a
[16:12.700 --> 16:19.900]  parish as lucrative and experiencing the economic bursts that Iberia parish is
[16:19.900 --> 16:24.340]  experiencing are they have a ways to go to catch up with st. mary because there
[16:24.340 --> 16:31.460]  has been absolutely zero cash match to the 5311 rural transit contract from
[16:31.460 --> 16:38.460]  Iberia parish smile has put that bill independently for at least the last
[16:38.460 --> 16:46.660]  decade and and you know just I mean Robin Peter to pay Paul and so I can
[16:46.660 --> 16:50.140]  speak and we're at a point now the reason why that's important is because
[16:50.140 --> 16:55.300]  without that match smile is at a critical point now which was kind of a
[16:55.300 --> 17:00.260]  part of the reason that led into this meeting today where a decision is going
[17:00.260 --> 17:03.820]  to have to be made by the end of this calendar year whether or not that
[17:03.820 --> 17:09.180]  contract will continue without getting some public support towards that cash
[17:09.180 --> 17:14.260]  match and there were judges that were in the room today the DA's office was in
[17:14.260 --> 17:18.900]  the room Senator Bill Cassidy's office was was there the governor's office was
[17:18.900 --> 17:23.260]  there all of the mayor's from Iberia parent parish were there and even
[17:23.260 --> 17:29.260]  business owners were there because they this this resource rural transportation
[17:29.260 --> 17:34.620]  is important to them for their employees to get to and from work and so all of
[17:34.620 --> 17:39.940]  these people showed up to make a concerted effort to try to keep this
[17:39.940 --> 17:46.780]  program alive in that part of the region and and so I was I was happy to be able
[17:46.780 --> 17:52.740]  to brag on St. Mary's Parish and mr. Jeff Beverly was there and he echoed the
[17:52.740 --> 17:58.740]  value that st. Mary community action has found and benefited from in this
[17:58.740 --> 18:03.740]  partnership with our parish government and and and you know kind of use it as a
[18:03.980 --> 18:10.500]  selling tool to encourage these other parishes to do something similar to dig
[18:10.500 --> 18:14.860]  into their hearts not into their pockets but dig into their hearts and find a
[18:14.860 --> 18:21.260]  way to support rural public transportation through the partnership
[18:21.260 --> 18:29.220]  with this 5311 DOTD FTA federal transit administration program that at least
[18:29.260 --> 18:36.620]  funds 50% of the reimbursement that the community action agencies can use
[18:36.620 --> 18:43.340]  towards supporting their ongoing operating costs and so I don't believe
[18:43.340 --> 18:52.300]  that now would be a smart time to pull away from this partnership in fact I
[18:52.340 --> 18:59.740]  fully recommend that we find the resources to fund the st. Mary community
[18:59.740 --> 19:06.660]  action rule transit 5311 program at 100% of the requests that has been before us
[19:06.660 --> 19:12.220]  for the last several years based upon the information that I learned today and
[19:12.220 --> 19:20.500]  I think that can be used as a launching pad to encourage support and buy-in from
[19:20.660 --> 19:27.060]  other stakeholders in our community such as even the private industry but I think
[19:27.060 --> 19:32.260]  it's incumbent upon us to continue to do our part because the local government
[19:32.260 --> 19:38.380]  is intended to be a vital partner in the provision of those services with that
[19:38.380 --> 19:43.060]  I'll rest and open the floor for other comments.
[19:43.940 --> 19:45.940]  Yes sir.
[19:45.940 --> 19:54.940]  Elderly nutrition program I think we need to give them their 24,000 because it costs twice as much to feed the people.
[19:54.940 --> 19:57.940]  If you want to cut them in half what they're gonna get.
[19:57.940 --> 19:59.940]  Particularly with food stamps.
[19:59.940 --> 20:04.940]  I've been to these dinners. You understand how many people need this.
[20:04.940 --> 20:08.940]  This is mostly people over 60 years old with the ARP Center.
[20:09.820 --> 20:16.820]  So is that in addition to the recommendation I just made for 100% of the transportation cost?
[20:16.820 --> 20:19.820]  100% of transportation, 24,000 foot of.
[20:19.820 --> 20:20.820]  100% of both?
[20:20.820 --> 20:24.820]  Both for the community action aid.
[20:24.820 --> 20:26.820]  Okay. Thank you sir.
[20:26.820 --> 20:30.820]  It's not a motion yet. It's open for discussion.
[20:30.820 --> 20:31.820]  Mr. Chairman.
[20:31.820 --> 20:34.820]  When you're ready I'll recognize you so you can offer that motion.
[20:35.700 --> 20:40.700]  Paul, the last two years, how was this funded?
[20:40.700 --> 20:44.700]  Was this cut 25% across the board like everyone else?
[20:44.700 --> 20:45.700]  That's correct.
[20:45.700 --> 20:48.700]  Is that our intentions again this upcoming year?
[20:48.700 --> 20:49.700]  Yes.
[20:49.700 --> 20:51.700]  To cut everything 25% across the board?
[20:51.700 --> 20:52.700]  The same as it was.
[20:52.700 --> 20:56.700]  So we're not picking and choosing who we cut. It's across the board.
[20:56.700 --> 20:57.700]  Across the board 25%.
[20:57.700 --> 21:03.700]  And that's the last time when the director, Ms. Franklin, came and Jeff came.
[21:04.580 --> 21:06.580]  They said they could live with that.
[21:06.580 --> 21:07.580]  Which they were trying to work with.
[21:07.580 --> 21:08.580]  I get that.
[21:08.580 --> 21:15.580]  So in the 26 proposed budget, they're budgeted at 75%, both of them.
[21:15.580 --> 21:18.580]  What is the proposed in the budget?
[21:18.580 --> 21:20.580]  What is the proposed amount?
[21:20.580 --> 21:25.580]  It's 75% which would be 34,125 for transportation.
[21:25.580 --> 21:33.580]  And 18,000 for, you know, 9,000 for each side of the parish for feeding.
[21:34.460 --> 21:40.460]  And that's on page 26 and 26 and 27 in the new budget.
[21:40.460 --> 21:47.460]  One thing I'll caution us to be mindful of is that right now,
[21:47.460 --> 21:54.460]  St. Mary Community Action is in transition in their executive leadership.
[21:54.460 --> 22:01.460]  Salmetre Franklin has retired and her last day of work is December 31st.
[22:02.340 --> 22:05.340]  And Mr. Jeff Beverly takes office.
[22:05.340 --> 22:09.340]  He assumes that role January 1st, 2026.
[22:09.340 --> 22:14.340]  And as I recall, when they were here in that last visit,
[22:14.340 --> 22:21.340]  Mr. Beverly had some serious reservations about being able to sustain that program with that kind of cut.
[22:21.340 --> 22:28.340]  And what I'll say to your point, to your question, Councilman Orlando,
[22:29.220 --> 22:42.220]  is that while I can understand the rationale for a cut like that to these types of program expenses,
[22:42.220 --> 22:54.220]  or allocations rather, I think it's incumbent upon us to do a more comprehensive job
[22:55.100 --> 23:00.100]  at looking through this budget and finding the money to fund something of this critical importance.
[23:00.100 --> 23:05.100]  Just like we find the money to fund other things, I think we can find the money to fund this.
[23:05.100 --> 23:08.100]  That's my opinion.
[23:08.100 --> 23:13.100]  You know, I understand the struggle.
[23:13.100 --> 23:16.100]  I understand that, as you know, quote unquote, the struggle is real.
[23:16.100 --> 23:19.100]  And it's real across the board.
[23:19.980 --> 23:22.980]  I believe when it comes to taking care of these types of critical needs,
[23:22.980 --> 23:27.980]  this rural transportation program is a lifeline to some people.
[23:27.980 --> 23:35.980]  And when I say lifeline, I mean people depend upon these vans to get them to dialysis three and four days a week.
[23:35.980 --> 23:38.980]  Who don't have any other option.
[23:38.980 --> 23:43.980]  And without getting the dialysis, y'all know what the outcome is.
[23:43.980 --> 23:44.980]  It's death.
[23:45.860 --> 23:54.860]  It's either get your blood, what's it called, your blood filtered, or you die.
[23:54.860 --> 23:56.860]  This is a lifeline for some people.
[23:56.860 --> 24:00.860]  I know that many of us probably can't relate to that.
[24:00.860 --> 24:04.860]  But I look at people every day in my line of work.
[24:04.860 --> 24:07.860]  That this is all they have.
[24:07.860 --> 24:10.860]  And this is a minimal amount of money that we're talking about.
[24:11.740 --> 24:14.740]  We're not talking about $100,000.
[24:14.740 --> 24:17.740]  We're talking about a minimal amount of money.
[24:17.740 --> 24:25.740]  That nine times out of ten, somewhere across the course of these 12 months of this fiscal period,
[24:25.740 --> 24:28.740]  that money is going to get spent on something that we weren't planning.
[24:28.740 --> 24:32.740]  Anyway, that's my opinion.
[24:32.740 --> 24:38.740]  And I can't look our citizens, our constituents in the face, the people that are most vulnerable,
[24:39.620 --> 24:45.620]  because when you are poor and you lack transportation, you're the most vulnerable people on the earth.
[24:45.620 --> 24:48.620]  Because you can't even get to help.
[24:50.620 --> 24:52.620]  Can I ask a question?
[24:52.620 --> 24:53.620]  Yes sir.
[24:53.620 --> 24:57.620]  Do you know if Community Action has approached the municipalities, the cities,
[24:57.620 --> 25:00.620]  to try to pitch in a little bit for this program?
[25:00.620 --> 25:02.620]  Because they do, they take people from all over, isn't that correct?
[25:02.620 --> 25:03.620]  That is correct.
[25:03.620 --> 25:08.620]  I don't know that the cities do that, but is there a way maybe they could pitch in a little bit?
[25:09.500 --> 25:12.500]  I think that's a worthwhile conversation.
[25:14.500 --> 25:22.500]  I think in the event that they are able to leverage that kind of support and that kind of buy-in,
[25:22.500 --> 25:28.500]  I think it would enhance what the program is currently able to offer
[25:28.500 --> 25:35.500]  with the level of funding that we have provided over the recent past.
[25:36.380 --> 25:42.380]  I don't think we should use those methods to supplement this current funding level.
[25:42.380 --> 25:43.380]  Sure.
[25:43.380 --> 25:45.380]  I think it should exceed.
[25:45.380 --> 25:47.380]  It should enhance it.
[25:47.380 --> 25:53.380]  Because they're already restricted in terms of the volume of rides they can provide.
[25:53.380 --> 25:56.380]  Some people can't even get access to the van.
[25:59.380 --> 26:01.380]  You better stop now.
[26:01.380 --> 26:05.380]  Are we talking about the 69.5 or the 45?
[26:06.260 --> 26:10.260]  The 45 is the portion that is dedicated to transportation.
[26:10.260 --> 26:15.260]  The other portion is what Councilman Duhal mentioned is for the feeding part.
[26:16.260 --> 26:25.260]  And if I'm not mistaken, my mind wants to go back in history to when the allocation was more than 45,000.
[26:26.140 --> 26:36.140]  I want to say in our fat years, when we were living fat economically,
[26:36.140 --> 26:40.140]  I think we contributed more than 45,000.
[26:41.140 --> 26:43.140]  Is it always 45,000?
[26:45.140 --> 26:48.140]  I'm going back to like 20 years ago.
[26:48.140 --> 26:50.140]  It could be. I don't remember that.
[26:50.140 --> 26:52.140]  I've got a question.
[26:52.140 --> 26:54.140]  Was that it, Mr. Duhal?
[26:55.020 --> 27:05.020]  So the $34,125 that's in the budget, would this be $69,000?
[27:05.020 --> 27:08.020]  That would be almost double what we're looking at?
[27:08.020 --> 27:11.020]  Now the 69.5 is transportation and feeding.
[27:11.020 --> 27:13.020]  Okay, so the 34?
[27:13.020 --> 27:16.020]  The 34 is 75% of the 45.
[27:16.020 --> 27:18.020]  Okay.
[27:18.900 --> 27:23.900]  And are we doing anything for the 24?
[27:23.900 --> 27:24.900]  Yes, 75%.
[27:24.900 --> 27:25.900]  Currently now?
[27:25.900 --> 27:27.900]  75% of that.
[27:27.900 --> 27:29.900]  What line item is that?
[27:29.900 --> 27:34.900]  That is on page 26 and 27 of your 2026 budget book.
[27:34.900 --> 27:37.900]  It's the bottom of page 26 and top of page 27.
[27:37.900 --> 27:42.900]  There's the neighborhood feeding centers, one's in Morgan City and one's on this.
[27:42.900 --> 27:46.900]  And I realize we haven't gotten to that item on the agenda yet, but we're just having conversations.
[27:47.780 --> 27:49.780]  And I think her request, I think is for 26.
[27:49.780 --> 27:51.780]  That's the 11-7 number?
[27:51.780 --> 27:55.780]  No, it's 9,000 each side of the parish?
[27:55.780 --> 27:58.780]  Yes, 9,000 each side of the parish.
[27:58.780 --> 28:02.780]  Which it was 12 and 12, so 75% of that is 9 and 9.
[28:02.780 --> 28:04.780]  Gotcha.
[28:04.780 --> 28:08.780]  It was 24 and 45.5 combined.
[28:08.780 --> 28:12.780]  The full amount, 100%.
[28:13.660 --> 28:16.660]  That's where the 69-5 comes from.
[28:16.660 --> 28:21.660]  So, look, I'm sorry, have you gotten this?
[28:21.660 --> 28:25.660]  Well, I know another worthy program is the one that Beverly runs.
[28:25.660 --> 28:28.660]  Where's her allocation in this?
[28:28.660 --> 28:30.660]  It is.
[28:30.660 --> 28:32.660]  Can I speak to Mr. Chairman?
[28:32.660 --> 28:33.660]  Yes, ma'am.
[28:33.660 --> 28:35.660]  Yes, ma'am, if you would please.
[28:35.660 --> 28:38.660]  I said I wasn't going to do this.
[28:38.660 --> 28:41.660]  I'm going to sit and have a coffee, okay?
[28:42.540 --> 28:44.540]  I'm speaking for the seniors.
[28:44.540 --> 28:46.540]  I have transportation.
[28:46.540 --> 28:48.540]  I don't get a penny.
[28:48.540 --> 28:50.540]  It's all on me.
[28:50.540 --> 28:58.540]  I had to write a check today for $10,638 to get a bus back and running that runs every
[28:58.540 --> 29:02.540]  day for the seniors over 60.
[29:02.540 --> 29:07.540]  Those are the people that are hurting right now, okay?
[29:08.420 --> 29:11.420]  Some of these people you're talking about, yes, they choose not to work.
[29:11.420 --> 29:16.420]  My people worked all their lives and now they're being forgotten.
[29:16.420 --> 29:21.420]  And y'all are sitting here talking about transportation, transportation.
[29:21.420 --> 29:28.420]  There's no transportation in this parish except what Almetra and I run and what she runs for
[29:28.420 --> 29:31.420]  her special kids, okay?
[29:31.420 --> 29:33.420]  Your churches have vans.
[29:33.420 --> 29:35.420]  Everybody has vans.
[29:36.300 --> 29:40.300]  But my people can't, and right now they can't even get to the grocery store because the
[29:40.300 --> 29:44.300]  only grocery store we have is Super One and they can't even afford it.
[29:44.300 --> 29:48.300]  How would you feel to be a bus driver that used to take them when they got their checks
[29:48.300 --> 29:53.300]  and they could get seven sacks of groceries and now they have to walk out with three and
[29:53.300 --> 29:56.300]  they've got to make it work all year?
[29:56.300 --> 30:01.300]  Now, folks, we're a senior population, okay?
[30:01.300 --> 30:03.300]  They need to get out too.
[30:04.180 --> 30:06.180]  They want to go to church.
[30:06.180 --> 30:10.180]  They want to go to some of our activities and we do the best we can.
[30:10.180 --> 30:17.180]  But I can't keep writing grants and begging for money to take care of people that have
[30:17.180 --> 30:21.180]  given their whole lives to St. Mary Parish.
[30:21.180 --> 30:24.180]  And they're trying, I'm looking at you, Jay.
[30:24.180 --> 30:27.180]  I talked to some of the school board members.
[30:28.060 --> 30:36.060]  If they would run a class for my people, grandparents that are having to raise children and they
[30:36.060 --> 30:41.060]  can't even help them with their school work because we were educated different.
[30:41.060 --> 30:43.060]  Now, come on, folks.
[30:43.060 --> 30:44.060]  Money is money.
[30:44.060 --> 30:46.060]  Money is tight.
[30:46.060 --> 30:49.060]  But living and people come first.
[30:49.060 --> 30:51.060]  And that's what we all did.
[30:51.060 --> 30:53.060]  We voted for y'all.
[30:53.940 --> 30:58.940]  Now, the 24,000, okay, go to one of those dinners.
[30:58.940 --> 31:00.940]  See how those people come.
[31:00.940 --> 31:02.940]  They're driving in a better car than me.
[31:02.940 --> 31:10.940]  But my people, to get their food, has to come on my bus because they don't have cars.
[31:10.940 --> 31:17.940]  And now I've had to close my Franklin Senior Center because City Hall is going to pave
[31:18.820 --> 31:25.820]  the driveway and block my way to get the food and get my drivers into the building.
[31:25.820 --> 31:27.820]  And that's a shame, folks.
[31:27.820 --> 31:29.820]  I'm sorry.
[31:29.820 --> 31:33.820]  I've come to every meeting for 25 years.
[31:33.820 --> 31:36.820]  I've voted for all of y'all.
[31:36.820 --> 31:39.820]  I've helped some of you get elected.
[31:39.820 --> 31:44.820]  And it's about time that you got out and looked at how some of these people are having to
[31:45.700 --> 31:50.700]  live, especially the people over 60, because the families have left.
[31:50.700 --> 31:52.700]  They will not.
[31:52.700 --> 31:59.700]  I get calls every day from out of town, can you get my mother or my grandmother or my
[31:59.700 --> 32:02.700]  aunt a meal because she can't cook anymore.
[32:02.700 --> 32:04.700]  And I am maxed out.
[32:04.700 --> 32:06.700]  I have a contract.
[32:06.700 --> 32:13.700]  It says I can only serve 46 congregate meals and 166 home delivered meals.
[32:15.700 --> 32:18.700]  I am presently serving 312 meals.
[32:18.700 --> 32:25.700]  I'm way over, so I have to pay full price for every meal that I take out.
[32:25.780 --> 32:31.540]  So I'm begging y'all, when y'all talking about these things, why don't y'all sit down with
[32:31.540 --> 32:38.060]  all of us and find out really and truly what the people need and let's give it back to
[32:38.060 --> 32:41.460]  the people because they've given it to y'all.
[32:42.100 --> 32:45.100]  And they expect the respect.
[32:45.100 --> 32:48.100]  So I'm sorry.
[32:48.100 --> 32:53.100]  I've sat here and I've bitten my tongue a lot of times.
[32:53.100 --> 33:00.100]  And I said now is the time that I stand up for the seniors and say we made this town,
[33:01.180 --> 33:05.580]  we made this parish, now give us a little thanks.
[33:05.700 --> 33:12.700]  And if you want to see my, when I do my annual report, when I get finished with my audit,
[33:12.700 --> 33:19.700]  y'all are, all of my audits are on file here and you can see how we spend the money that
[33:19.700 --> 33:20.700]  we get.
[33:20.700 --> 33:27.700]  And yes, we got cut 25%, okay, 25%, and we made due and we didn't cut services at all.
[33:27.820 --> 33:34.820]  And it can work, but it takes all of us sitting down and saying you're going to do this, I'm
[33:37.820 --> 33:41.820]  going to do this, we're going to do this, we're going to do it together.
[33:41.820 --> 33:44.820]  And if you got any questions, I'm always available.
[33:44.820 --> 33:45.820]  Man.
[33:45.820 --> 33:46.820]  Yes.
[33:46.820 --> 33:51.820]  Okay, now would it cost double the amount this time of year than it did a couple years
[33:51.820 --> 33:52.820]  ago?
[33:52.820 --> 33:53.820]  Yes, sir.
[33:53.820 --> 33:54.820]  Double the amount.
[33:54.940 --> 33:55.940]  My costs have gone up.
[33:55.940 --> 34:00.940]  When I started, well, I want to start, go back that forward 25 years because that was
[34:00.940 --> 34:01.940]  a good years.
[34:01.940 --> 34:08.940]  We used to pay, the meals were costing me somewhere between three and four dollars.
[34:08.940 --> 34:13.940]  They're now costing me $7.68 a meal.
[34:13.940 --> 34:14.940]  Okay.
[34:14.940 --> 34:17.940]  That's including the delivery and all that.
[34:17.940 --> 34:18.940]  Any other questions?
[34:18.940 --> 34:19.940]  Any other questions?
[34:20.060 --> 34:21.060]  Any other questions?
[34:21.060 --> 34:25.060]  Question, when she says she got cut 25, where's her line item?
[34:25.060 --> 34:26.060]  We're in the budget.
[34:26.060 --> 34:30.060]  Our line, in the new budget, it's on page 18.
[34:30.060 --> 34:31.060]  Page 18.
[34:31.060 --> 34:33.060]  We've always been in the budget.
[34:33.060 --> 34:38.060]  It's the top of the page, second item on the page.
[34:38.060 --> 34:41.060]  Third item, no, second item.
[34:41.180 --> 34:46.180]  The council major at 30,000 was...
[34:46.180 --> 34:51.180]  The proposed budget is 33,750.
[34:51.180 --> 34:54.180]  The proposed budget was how much?
[34:54.180 --> 34:55.180]  33,750.
[34:55.180 --> 34:56.180]  33.
[34:56.180 --> 34:59.180]  So with the 25% cut, this is the number that we're looking at.
[34:59.180 --> 35:00.180]  That's correct.
[35:00.180 --> 35:08.180]  And so I guess the major difference, one of the differences in addition to the amount
[35:08.300 --> 35:15.300]  that has been allocated for St. Mary versus the Council on Aging is that the expenditures
[35:17.900 --> 35:18.900]  are different.
[35:18.900 --> 35:21.900]  You choose to use it for different expenditures.
[35:21.900 --> 35:28.900]  St. Mary Community Action uses it for their transit program and the feeding program.
[35:28.900 --> 35:33.900]  Now, they offer probably 40 different programs, but they're requesting the money for this
[35:33.900 --> 35:34.900]  specific purpose.
[35:35.620 --> 35:39.900]  Ms. Beverly's request is for the purposes that she chooses to expend it on proper
[35:39.900 --> 35:40.900]  engagement.
[35:40.900 --> 35:41.900]  Whatever she chooses.
[35:41.900 --> 35:42.900]  My population, yes.
[35:42.900 --> 35:43.900]  Right.
[35:43.900 --> 35:46.900]  So that's the primary difference.
[35:46.900 --> 35:52.900]  But both are considered nongovernmental organizational allocations.
[35:55.900 --> 35:57.900]  Any other questions for Ms. Beverly?
[35:57.900 --> 35:58.900]  Thank you.
[35:58.900 --> 35:59.900]  Thank you very much.
[35:59.900 --> 36:00.900]  Thank you for sharing that, Ms. Beverly.
[36:00.900 --> 36:03.900]  We always appreciate hearing your insight.
[36:05.900 --> 36:08.900]  Any, I'm sorry, Mr. Abay, you have the floor.
[36:08.900 --> 36:10.900]  Do you have more questions?
[36:10.900 --> 36:13.900]  I just was curious exactly where we were at.
[36:13.900 --> 36:19.900]  Because I know she could get up here and scream and holler every year or every month, want
[36:19.900 --> 36:20.900]  more money.
[36:20.900 --> 36:21.900]  But she doesn't.
[36:21.900 --> 36:24.900]  But I don't think that needs to go unanswered.
[36:24.900 --> 36:27.900]  You know, just because somebody sends us a proposal.
[36:27.900 --> 36:32.900]  Well, you have to start off sending something for us to even review.
[36:34.900 --> 36:35.900]  In the budget.
[36:35.900 --> 36:36.900]  All right.
[36:36.900 --> 36:41.900]  But what I would be referring to is over and above, because what we received here is over
[36:41.900 --> 36:45.900]  and above what we've been putting in the budget.
[36:45.900 --> 36:46.900]  Not from you.
[36:46.900 --> 36:49.900]  From St. Mary Community Action.
[36:49.900 --> 36:52.900]  What this is is $69,000.
[37:22.900 --> 37:51.900]  Yeah.
[37:51.900 --> 37:57.900]  I would think at some point in time, if I was you, I would submit for additional funding.
[37:57.900 --> 37:59.900]  Everybody else does.
[37:59.900 --> 38:01.900]  And we have this discussion.
[38:01.900 --> 38:06.900]  We don't have your discussion because we don't get nothing asking for additional funding.
[38:06.900 --> 38:08.900]  It is my point.
[38:08.900 --> 38:12.900]  I would have to say that we have to help each other.
[38:12.900 --> 38:27.900]  Some of you have a hard time.
[38:27.900 --> 38:41.900]  But I do have to.
[38:41.900 --> 38:48.900]  Let me just let me just clarify that the request we received from St. Mary Community Action
[38:48.900 --> 38:52.900]  back in July was not for additional monies.
[38:52.900 --> 38:59.900]  It was for for our consideration to fund them at 100 percent of what the allocation originally was.
[38:59.900 --> 39:02.900]  I would be with the request originally was.
[39:02.900 --> 39:08.900]  And that's at the level that we have funded them for the last 10 or 15 years.
[39:08.900 --> 39:10.900]  So they didn't ask for extra money.
[39:10.900 --> 39:19.900]  They asked us to restore the original amount of funding we allocated before we got into this.
[39:19.900 --> 39:26.900]  Current budget crisis, as many have referred to it as.
[39:26.900 --> 39:34.900]  And so they're just simply asking to be considered for restoring the original amount, not an additional amount.
[39:34.900 --> 39:39.900]  So that needs to be clarified.
[39:39.900 --> 39:41.900]  Anything else?
[39:41.900 --> 39:45.900]  Do you want that? I see. Yeah. Can I make a motion to pull them out?
[39:45.900 --> 39:48.900]  No, make a motion.
[39:48.900 --> 39:53.900]  I'm going to recommend motion to recommend all about.
[39:53.900 --> 40:03.900]  It's been moved by Councilman Duhon to accept the St. Mary Community Action Agency proposal at 100 percent of the funding level.
[40:03.900 --> 40:08.900]  Sixty nine thousand five hundred to be recommended to the council.
[40:08.900 --> 40:11.900]  Second second by Councilman Hill.
[40:11.900 --> 40:21.900]  Any further discussion? I guess the only discussion I would have would be, do we have any idea where we'd be coming from?
[40:21.900 --> 40:26.900]  What are we? What are we going to cut to replace this with?
[40:26.900 --> 40:35.900]  Does anybody put any of that thought in? I mean, I mean, it's good we can vote on this, but so we're down the line.
[40:35.900 --> 40:40.900]  Something's got to go to money pops up all the time.
[40:40.900 --> 40:43.900]  Well, I wasn't going to say it like that.
[40:43.900 --> 40:45.900]  I wasn't going to say it like that.
[40:45.900 --> 40:47.900]  But he does have a valid point.
[40:47.900 --> 40:50.900]  Money does pop up here and there.
[40:50.900 --> 40:52.900]  And line items are moved.
[40:52.900 --> 40:54.900]  The money's moved from line items, what have you.
[40:54.900 --> 40:58.900]  I don't know if it probably doesn't exceed five percent.
[40:58.900 --> 41:00.900]  Otherwise, there would be a red flag.
[41:00.900 --> 41:05.900]  But I think I think there are a couple of options.
[41:05.900 --> 41:22.900]  One is the fact that we have three tenths percent sales tax money that for the last two years at least has has pretty much been frozen or stifled where there is a considerable fund balance that can be considered as an option.
[41:22.900 --> 41:26.900]  I'm certainly open to that as one alternative.
[41:26.900 --> 41:41.900]  I think also to Councilman Duhon's point that there are other areas in this budget instrument, combined budget instrument, that I think is worthy of a second look.
[41:41.900 --> 41:47.900]  And there's some other things I'm going to say about that, but I'll wait until we get to that item on the agenda.
[41:47.900 --> 41:49.900]  We're all in favor of that.
[41:49.900 --> 41:54.900]  Are we making a motion that is going to come out of who's three tenths of money and how much of it.
[41:54.900 --> 42:00.900]  And what line item do we think we can cut to get the rest of the money from?
[42:00.900 --> 42:02.900]  I mean, I'm not a type of person.
[42:02.900 --> 42:06.900]  I don't budget myself of thinking one day money's going to show up.
[42:06.900 --> 42:08.900]  Because what happens when it doesn't?
[42:08.900 --> 42:11.900]  When it doesn't, somebody don't get their money.
[42:11.900 --> 42:13.900]  And when they all show up here saying, where's my money?
[42:13.900 --> 42:15.900]  Well, we didn't get it.
[42:15.900 --> 42:20.900]  We got too many people in line waiting for the money and we don't have the money to give them.
[42:20.900 --> 42:22.900]  So all I'm asking is I'm good with it.
[42:22.900 --> 42:27.900]  You tell me where it's coming from, if it's coming from three tenths, if it's coming from your district.
[42:27.900 --> 42:30.900]  I don't care whose district, but I like to know where.
[42:30.900 --> 42:32.900]  And I'm good with it.
[42:34.900 --> 42:37.900]  Tell us how much money is in right now today as we speak.
[42:37.900 --> 42:39.900]  I haven't looked that up.
[42:39.900 --> 42:40.900]  And there is money in there.
[42:40.900 --> 42:42.900]  Approximative estimation.
[42:42.900 --> 42:45.900]  What are we talking about?
[42:45.900 --> 42:47.900]  No, what are we talking about?
[42:47.900 --> 42:49.900]  Add to the end.
[42:49.900 --> 42:54.900]  If we haven't spent any extra, we've only spent what we had this morning.
[42:54.900 --> 42:55.900]  Okay.
[42:55.900 --> 42:57.900]  Hey, Chair.
[42:57.900 --> 42:59.900]  Yes, yes, sir.
[42:59.900 --> 43:02.900]  How much more money are we asking to put in, 100 percent?
[43:02.900 --> 43:03.900]  How much?
[43:03.900 --> 43:05.900]  17.
[43:05.900 --> 43:07.900]  Almost $17.
[43:07.900 --> 43:08.900]  A little over $17.
[43:08.900 --> 43:11.900]  So if anybody want to be a screw, go ahead and do it.
[43:11.900 --> 43:12.900]  I'll do it.
[43:12.900 --> 43:14.900]  Don't vote against it.
[43:14.900 --> 43:16.900]  Don't help the old people.
[43:18.900 --> 43:29.900]  Mr. Chairman, I get what you're saying, Mark, but we have a lot of other organizations that will be ringing out phones off the hook.
[43:29.900 --> 43:32.900]  Where is my 25 percent?
[43:32.900 --> 43:33.900]  I mean, I just believe me.
[43:33.900 --> 43:34.900]  I wish we could.
[43:34.900 --> 43:36.900]  I wish we could fund all of them.
[43:36.900 --> 43:38.900]  But I'm looking at the parish as a whole.
[43:38.900 --> 43:47.900]  I got a feeling we're going to get a lot of phone calls from other organizations saying, well, y'all funded this organization 100 percent, but yet you're cutting mine 25 percent.
[43:47.900 --> 43:50.900]  And then the next phone call, you cut mine 25 percent.
[43:50.900 --> 43:51.900]  But I get what you're saying.
[43:51.900 --> 43:53.900]  This is a tough pill to swallow.
[43:53.900 --> 43:55.900]  But we have to look at it as a whole.
[43:55.900 --> 43:56.900]  We'll do it.
[43:56.900 --> 43:57.900]  We'll do it.
[43:57.900 --> 43:58.900]  Well, I probably will.
[43:58.900 --> 44:01.900]  And there's nothing against the old people or anything.
[44:01.900 --> 44:07.900]  I'm looking at if we either go fund everyone or we'll go across the board and cut everyone.
[44:07.900 --> 44:09.900]  It's the only fair way to do it.
[44:09.900 --> 44:11.900]  I mean, believe me, I hate I hate doing it like that.
[44:11.900 --> 44:13.900]  But I mean, fair is fair.
[44:13.900 --> 44:15.900]  Thank you.
[44:15.900 --> 44:17.900]  Let's go.
[44:17.900 --> 44:18.900]  Just just just a second.
[44:18.900 --> 44:21.900]  Yes.
[44:21.900 --> 44:22.900]  Two things.
[44:22.900 --> 44:36.900]  One, let me clarify for the record and for our general public that the decisions are discussions that that take place in the advisory budget finance committee.
[44:36.900 --> 44:38.900]  Our recommendations.
[44:38.900 --> 44:50.900]  We don't the committee advisory committee is just that it's it's we advise the full council of what we think is the right solution or approach.
[44:50.900 --> 45:05.900]  So everything that is discussed and decided here, if it's a majority vote, then it means we're moving a recommendation to the full council for the council to vote on at an appropriate time.
[45:05.900 --> 45:34.900]  The other thing I want to say is that having done this work for the majority of my professional career, which spans across 30 years in a political setting, as well as in the private business sector, it is not ever good business practice to make decisions, particularly financial decisions based upon a scenario of, well, if I do it for one, I got to do it for the others.
[45:34.900 --> 45:35.900]  That's not how you do business.
[45:35.900 --> 45:44.900]  You make business decisions, particularly financial business decisions based upon the critical need that you're addressing or solving.
[45:44.900 --> 45:49.900]  Everybody's need that comes here and ask us for money doesn't have the same level of need.
[45:49.900 --> 45:55.900]  It's not going to serve the same humanity crisis that people might be dealing with.
[45:55.900 --> 45:58.900]  So please, let's keep that in mind.
[45:58.900 --> 46:02.900]  There's no such thing as if you do it for one, you got to do it for all.
[46:02.900 --> 46:05.900]  That is not even a wise way to make business decisions.
[46:05.900 --> 46:09.900]  So I think we need to really, really hone in on that.
[46:09.900 --> 46:11.900]  Any other comments?
[46:11.900 --> 46:13.900]  If not, then we'll take a vote.
[46:13.900 --> 46:15.900]  Chairman, I have a question.
[46:15.900 --> 46:17.900]  Yes, sir.
[46:17.900 --> 46:25.900]  The way the charter is written for five and eight, can we do that?
[46:25.900 --> 46:27.900]  That is a question.
[46:27.900 --> 46:28.900]  That was my question, too.
[46:29.900 --> 46:32.900]  I'd have to look up the call to see.
[46:32.900 --> 46:34.900]  I'm pretty sure.
[46:34.900 --> 46:36.900]  I don't think so.
[46:36.900 --> 46:38.900]  I look into it and see.
[46:38.900 --> 46:49.900]  I thought this was brought up one time before years ago with Scott Ramsey and playing it to us how it could be spent out of five and eight.
[46:49.900 --> 46:53.900]  I just don't know how you would allocate.
[46:53.900 --> 46:54.900]  I have to do a little research.
[46:54.900 --> 46:55.900]  I'm not saying no.
[46:55.900 --> 46:56.900]  Me neither.
[46:56.900 --> 46:57.900]  You'd have to look at the call.
[46:57.900 --> 47:00.900]  You'd have to get legal to look at it and see.
[47:00.900 --> 47:03.900]  Anything further?
[47:03.900 --> 47:04.900]  I don't want to.
[47:04.900 --> 47:06.900]  At this time, I couldn't vote.
[47:06.900 --> 47:07.900]  One way or the other.
[47:07.900 --> 47:08.900]  I can tell.
[47:08.900 --> 47:09.900]  I don't know.
[47:09.900 --> 47:11.900]  We can't even do that at this moment.
[47:11.900 --> 47:19.900]  Let the record reflect that Councilman Adams has joined us.
[47:19.900 --> 47:21.900]  So that his attendance is recorded.
[47:22.900 --> 47:26.900]  If there's no further discussion, I'll call for a vote.
[47:26.900 --> 47:31.900]  It's been moved by Councilman Duhon that the request from St.
[47:31.900 --> 47:43.900]  Mary Community Action Agency to restore 100 percent of the funding, the original funding allocation at sixty nine thousand five hundred be approved.
[47:43.900 --> 47:46.900]  And it's been seconded by Councilman David Hill.
[47:46.900 --> 47:51.900]  Let me just clarify before I call for this vote.
[47:51.900 --> 48:02.900]  Is that is that reflective of the twenty twenty six budget or is are they are they asking to restore 100 percent of the allocation from the twenty twenty five?
[48:02.900 --> 48:05.900]  It says twenty twenty five programs.
[48:05.900 --> 48:09.900]  So this is not we haven't even gotten to the new budget period yet.
[48:09.900 --> 48:14.900]  This is for the twenty five percent cut that they're currently suffering.
[48:15.900 --> 48:18.900]  Are through fiscal year in twenty twenty five.
[48:18.900 --> 48:21.900]  It says right here program year twenty twenty six.
[48:25.900 --> 48:26.900]  I don't know.
[48:26.900 --> 48:28.900]  It's right on the same map.
[48:28.900 --> 48:30.900]  OK, on this proposal.
[48:31.900 --> 48:32.900]  That's not the agenda.
[48:34.900 --> 48:37.900]  But I think we have to go according to the agenda.
[48:39.900 --> 48:42.900]  So the agenda says twenty twenty five and what is that?
[48:42.900 --> 48:44.900]  It says twenty twenty six.
[48:44.900 --> 48:50.900]  So this is under a separate if if it's not, then this is under a separate agenda.
[48:51.900 --> 48:54.900]  This is under agenda item seven eight.
[48:54.900 --> 49:00.900]  This what what I'm referring to is the right thing right there.
[49:00.900 --> 49:03.900]  So this was when they brought it up.
[49:03.900 --> 49:04.900]  This was when they brought it up.
[49:16.900 --> 49:32.900]  And at that time, if you go back to the minutes of that meeting, the request for consideration was for the parish government to remit the full amount of that last year's allocation before December.
[49:33.900 --> 49:46.900]  The thirty first because President Jones told Miss Franklin while she was standing up here that when we come back in November or December, we're going to look at our numbers again and we're going to see if we can give you the rest of the money.
[49:47.900 --> 49:53.900]  And so that is my understanding of what we're considering in this agenda.
[49:54.900 --> 49:55.900]  But yes, sir.
[49:56.900 --> 50:00.900]  Can we throw Miss Beverly into this as well?
[50:00.900 --> 50:06.900]  Funding funding something besides what she's been getting.
[50:06.900 --> 50:09.900]  I think that's not on the agenda.
[50:09.900 --> 50:15.900]  But it's not on the agenda under this particular topic, but it is under item seven eight.
[50:15.900 --> 50:17.900]  OK, so I think that'd be appropriate.
[50:17.900 --> 50:20.900]  So we're voting on finding the money.
[50:20.900 --> 50:22.900]  We're not throwing the three tenths in.
[50:22.900 --> 50:24.900]  We're just finding the money.
[50:24.900 --> 50:25.900]  Yes.
[50:25.900 --> 50:26.900]  OK.
[50:26.900 --> 50:28.900]  The fund is 100 percent correct.
[50:28.900 --> 50:29.900]  That's what you're doing.
[50:29.900 --> 50:30.900]  Mark.
[50:30.900 --> 50:31.900]  What are three tenths?
[50:31.900 --> 50:32.900]  I don't know.
[50:32.900 --> 50:33.900]  I mean, we have to look into that.
[50:33.900 --> 50:34.900]  Yeah, that's an answer.
[50:34.900 --> 50:39.900]  We're voting on the recommendations of the budget to find the money.
[50:39.900 --> 50:40.900]  OK.
[50:41.900 --> 50:51.900]  And down the road, once we get the answers that we're looking for about what the three tenth tax call could be used for, we could consider that at that time.
[50:52.900 --> 51:01.900]  Or if it magically appears like Councilman Dewan said, from somewhere else in the budget, then we could consider that as an option as well.
[51:01.900 --> 51:03.900]  So clear.
[51:03.900 --> 51:06.900]  Clear.
[51:06.900 --> 51:07.900]  All right.
[51:07.900 --> 51:10.900]  So I don't know what we're doing now.
[51:10.900 --> 51:14.900]  OK, because this is this is convoluted.
[51:14.900 --> 51:16.900]  Yeah, my apologies for.
[51:16.900 --> 51:17.900]  And I certainly don't want to take the wrong action.
[51:17.900 --> 51:18.900]  Yeah.
[51:27.900 --> 51:29.900]  Well, Mr. Jeff Beverly is here.
[51:29.900 --> 51:31.900]  Maybe he can come and help us clarify.
[51:34.900 --> 51:35.900]  You know what?
[51:35.900 --> 52:03.900]  Whether or not we are being asked tonight under item six item six C to consider funding the previous budget period fiscal year ending twenty twenty five at the full amount or if we're if we have the money that you didn't get from the seventy five percent because isn't have they gotten all of the seventy five percent today?
[52:06.900 --> 52:08.900]  They usually get at the beginning of the quarter.
[52:08.900 --> 52:09.900]  I'm pretty sure.
[52:11.900 --> 52:13.900]  They get it quarterly at the beginning of the.
[52:14.900 --> 52:15.900]  Yes, I don't know.
[52:15.900 --> 52:16.900]  Callers not believe it all.
[52:17.900 --> 52:25.900]  What we had previously asked for was to at the last meeting was to fund us at the.
[52:26.900 --> 52:30.900]  We were trying to fund us at one hundred percent of this year's budget.
[52:30.900 --> 52:32.900]  Twenty twenty six budget period.
[52:32.900 --> 52:33.900]  That's correct.
[52:33.900 --> 52:37.900]  And that's under item seven eight.
[52:40.900 --> 52:42.900]  Or it could be six C.
[52:42.900 --> 52:48.900]  But if this is a clerical error, then we can just amend the agenda.
[52:49.900 --> 52:51.900]  But the appropriate year.
[52:56.900 --> 52:57.900]  That.
[52:57.900 --> 52:59.900]  Yes, we've got to win the general to twenty twenty six.
[53:00.900 --> 53:02.900]  Yes, we got to win the general.
[53:03.900 --> 53:04.900]  And then we will vote on this.
[53:04.900 --> 53:05.900]  I might vote against it.
[53:05.900 --> 53:06.900]  It's got to be shot.
[53:06.900 --> 53:07.900]  It won't be.
[53:13.900 --> 53:14.900]  So.
[53:33.900 --> 53:34.900]  All right.
[53:34.900 --> 53:35.900]  So.
[53:36.900 --> 53:41.900]  Motion should reflect for a budget period.
[53:41.900 --> 53:47.900]  Your recommendation for a budget period ending September 30th.
[53:47.900 --> 53:49.900]  Twenty twenty six.
[53:49.900 --> 53:50.900]  Correct.
[53:50.900 --> 53:52.900]  OK, so we all.
[53:52.900 --> 53:53.900]  December.
[53:53.900 --> 53:54.900]  I was here.
[53:54.900 --> 53:55.900]  I'm sorry.
[53:55.900 --> 53:56.900]  December.
[53:56.900 --> 53:57.900]  December 31st.
[53:57.900 --> 53:58.900]  Twenty twenty six.
[53:59.900 --> 54:01.900]  So we all clear.
[54:01.900 --> 54:02.900]  That's the motion on the on the table.
[54:03.900 --> 54:05.900]  And it goes on the budget for next year.
[54:05.900 --> 54:06.900]  Yes.
[54:06.900 --> 54:09.900]  The one we're getting ready to hopefully get a.
[54:09.900 --> 54:10.900]  Part of it.
[54:18.900 --> 54:19.900]  All right.
[54:19.900 --> 54:21.900]  So you've heard the motion in the second.
[54:21.900 --> 54:22.900]  All in favor.
[54:22.900 --> 54:23.900]  Do we need a roll call?
[54:23.900 --> 54:24.900]  Yes, sir.
[54:24.900 --> 54:25.900]  All in favor.
[54:25.900 --> 54:26.900]  Aye.
[54:26.900 --> 54:27.900]  Any opposed.
[54:27.900 --> 54:28.900]  Opposed.
[54:28.900 --> 54:29.900]  One opposed.
[54:29.900 --> 54:30.900]  One opposed.
[54:30.900 --> 54:31.900]  So.
[54:31.900 --> 54:32.900]  Orlando abstain Mr.
[54:32.900 --> 54:33.900]  Adams.
[54:33.900 --> 54:42.900]  So the motion passes.
[54:42.900 --> 54:46.900]  Moving on to item six.
[54:46.900 --> 54:47.900]  Six.
[54:47.900 --> 54:51.900]  D is referred from the August twenty seventh twenty twenty five regular council meeting
[54:51.900 --> 54:56.900]  St. Mary Parish for eight shooting sports has submitted their pre application requesting
[54:56.900 --> 55:01.900]  funds for the program year twenty twenty five funding request six thousand dollars.
[55:01.900 --> 55:04.900]  Make a motion that we recommend.
[55:04.900 --> 55:05.900]  Fund that.
[55:05.900 --> 55:06.900]  Okay.
[55:06.900 --> 55:08.900]  Second by it moved by Mr.
[55:08.900 --> 55:10.900]  Hill second by Mr.
[55:10.900 --> 55:11.900]  Davis.
[55:11.900 --> 55:12.900]  Any discussion.
[55:12.900 --> 55:13.900]  That is for this year.
[55:13.900 --> 55:14.900]  Yes.
[55:14.900 --> 55:15.900]  For this.
[55:15.900 --> 55:16.900]  Yes.
[55:16.900 --> 55:17.900]  This current year.
[55:17.900 --> 55:18.900]  Twenty twenty five.
[55:18.900 --> 55:19.900]  That's what we paid for in the past.
[55:19.900 --> 55:20.900]  We didn't pay nothing.
[55:20.900 --> 55:21.900]  Nothing.
[55:22.900 --> 55:24.900]  They were trying to see what the school boys on kick in.
[55:24.900 --> 55:28.900]  Where is that coming from.
[55:28.900 --> 55:33.900]  Finance.
[55:33.900 --> 55:40.900]  That go magically pop up.
[55:40.900 --> 55:46.900]  He got in this magic dragon.
[55:46.900 --> 55:47.900]  How you doing.
[55:47.900 --> 55:49.900]  I'm fine with taking that on my three tenths.
[55:49.900 --> 55:50.900]  That could be used for that.
[55:50.900 --> 55:51.900]  I don't know if we have to look.
[55:51.900 --> 55:52.900]  Is equipment.
[55:52.900 --> 55:53.900]  Equipment.
[55:53.900 --> 55:54.900]  So that's that's allowable.
[55:54.900 --> 55:55.900]  Yeah.
[55:55.900 --> 55:58.900]  So it is equipment that they would be using.
[55:58.900 --> 55:59.900]  Money for.
[55:59.900 --> 56:02.900]  People in that area.
[56:02.900 --> 56:03.900]  I don't think so.
[56:03.900 --> 56:06.900]  It has to be people restricted to areas.
[56:06.900 --> 56:08.900]  So is this Paris why.
[56:08.900 --> 56:10.900]  You Paris why they should.
[56:10.900 --> 56:12.900]  They should arrange.
[56:12.900 --> 56:13.900]  Right.
[56:14.900 --> 56:16.900]  You know kids you know schools.
[56:16.900 --> 56:19.900]  They did for each.
[56:19.900 --> 56:21.900]  It's come out of the fourth.
[56:21.900 --> 56:24.900]  Chair.
[56:24.900 --> 56:25.900]  Here.
[56:25.900 --> 56:28.900]  Why don't we do half and half as a suggestion from.
[56:28.900 --> 56:29.900]  Prejana.
[56:29.900 --> 56:30.900]  I have.
[56:30.900 --> 56:31.900]  Half and half.
[56:31.900 --> 56:34.900]  Three tenths sales tax money on the west side.
[56:34.900 --> 56:35.900]  Okay.
[56:35.900 --> 56:36.900]  That way.
[56:36.900 --> 56:38.900]  One two three five seven eight.
[56:38.900 --> 56:39.900]  That's the way it goes.
[56:39.900 --> 56:40.900]  I don't have a quarrel with that.
[56:40.900 --> 56:41.900]  I think that's fair.
[56:41.900 --> 56:42.900]  Did we.
[56:42.900 --> 56:43.900]  Fund this last year.
[56:43.900 --> 56:44.900]  We didn't.
[56:44.900 --> 56:45.900]  Did anyone fund it last year.
[56:45.900 --> 56:46.900]  Last thing I remember and Lisa and I talked earlier.
[56:46.900 --> 56:47.900]  Was what.
[56:47.900 --> 56:48.900]  Councilman Adams said we asked them.
[56:48.900 --> 56:49.900]  To go to the school board and see if they would.
[56:49.900 --> 56:50.900]  You know.
[56:50.900 --> 56:51.900]  I don't know that that ever happened.
[56:51.900 --> 56:52.900]  We don't know if the school board.
[56:52.900 --> 56:53.900]  Funding it or not.
[56:53.900 --> 56:54.900]  Never came back.
[56:54.900 --> 56:55.900]  This is for each.
[56:55.900 --> 56:56.900]  Yeah but.
[56:56.900 --> 56:57.900]  We don't know.
[56:57.900 --> 56:58.900]  We don't know.
[56:58.900 --> 56:59.900]  We don't know.
[56:59.900 --> 57:00.900]  We don't know.
[57:00.900 --> 57:01.900]  We don't know.
[57:01.900 --> 57:02.900]  We don't know.
[57:02.900 --> 57:03.900]  We don't know.
[57:03.900 --> 57:04.900]  We don't know.
[57:04.900 --> 57:05.900]  We don't know.
[57:05.900 --> 57:06.900]  We don't know.
[57:06.900 --> 57:07.900]  We don't know.
[57:08.900 --> 57:09.900]  This is for each.
[57:09.900 --> 57:10.900]  Yeah but when we do fund for each.
[57:10.900 --> 57:11.900]  You know we give them a band.
[57:11.900 --> 57:12.900]  We give them.
[57:12.900 --> 57:13.900]  Yeah.
[57:13.900 --> 57:14.900]  And you know we do help out for each.
[57:14.900 --> 57:17.900]  But this is specifically for shooting and we haven't.
[57:17.900 --> 57:20.900]  Given them any money in the past.
[57:20.900 --> 57:23.900]  It didn't come back to report whether or not they were able to get anything.
[57:23.900 --> 57:30.900]  It referred to this committee.
[57:30.900 --> 57:32.900]  And we do know where this money is coming from.
[57:32.900 --> 57:33.900]  However.
[57:33.900 --> 57:35.900]  Yes.
[57:35.900 --> 57:38.900]  I know where the money is coming from and I'm OK with it.
[57:38.900 --> 57:42.900]  Thank you for pointing that out.
[57:42.900 --> 57:46.900]  Well as of now we're saying it's coming from there but we've been denied.
[57:46.900 --> 57:47.900]  Allocation.
[57:47.900 --> 57:48.900]  That's a whole other topic.
[57:48.900 --> 57:51.900]  Well we're going to get to that in a minute.
[57:51.900 --> 57:52.900]  All right.
[57:52.900 --> 57:54.900]  Any other discussion.
[57:54.900 --> 57:58.900]  If it's coming from three tenths and five and eight.
[57:58.900 --> 57:59.900]  If it's available.
[57:59.900 --> 58:01.900]  I seriously doubt that it is.
[58:01.900 --> 58:02.900]  So it's.
[58:02.900 --> 58:03.900]  I'll bet it's available.
[58:03.900 --> 58:10.900]  But the fund balance is we should have.
[58:10.900 --> 58:11.900]  I'll vote for it.
[58:11.900 --> 58:13.900]  I'm glad I don't have your optimism.
[58:13.900 --> 58:16.900]  Looking at the state for two years have been told no no no.
[58:16.900 --> 58:18.900]  So I'm just kind of getting used to being told no.
[58:18.900 --> 58:23.900]  I'm not going to ever get used to that.
[58:23.900 --> 58:24.900]  OK.
[58:24.900 --> 58:29.900]  If there's no further discussion has been moved and seconded that we allocate.
[58:29.900 --> 58:39.900]  The six thousand dollars to the same air parish recommend to the council the four each request for six thousand dollars.
[58:39.900 --> 58:40.900]  All in favor.
[58:40.900 --> 58:41.900]  Aye.
[58:41.900 --> 58:42.900]  Aye.
[58:42.900 --> 58:43.900]  Any opposed.
[58:43.900 --> 58:46.900]  Motion carries.
[58:46.900 --> 58:47.900]  All right.
[58:47.900 --> 58:55.900]  Moving on to item seven eight seven eight is review proposed in twenty twenty six budget and five year capital outlay.
[58:55.900 --> 59:00.900]  I want everybody to jump to the mic at once.
[59:00.900 --> 59:03.900]  Anything you want to lead off with Mr.
[59:03.900 --> 59:05.900]  Gubbett all.
[59:05.900 --> 59:08.900]  It's just you know it's kind of like the last year or so.
[59:08.900 --> 59:11.900]  You know things are very tight.
[59:11.900 --> 59:15.900]  We tried to make it as lean a budget as we could.
[59:15.900 --> 59:17.900]  We put the request out to the department.
[59:17.900 --> 59:18.900]  What do you need.
[59:18.900 --> 59:19.900]  What do you have to have.
[59:19.900 --> 59:20.900]  What are your.
[59:20.900 --> 59:22.900]  You know it's not a Christmas list but you know.
[59:22.900 --> 59:30.900]  And we took those suggestions from the people actually working in the trenches and tried to put some things in here that we know that they need.
[59:30.900 --> 59:33.900]  I mean it just can't go without.
[59:33.900 --> 59:36.900]  Nobody got everything they asked for.
[59:36.900 --> 59:38.900]  The apartments were asking for a lot.
[59:38.900 --> 59:47.900]  We're trying to keep the level of the workforce you know steady to keep the keep the parish going keep the roads garbage all that stuff.
[59:47.900 --> 59:50.900]  It's just very lean.
[59:50.900 --> 59:55.900]  And you know we made it work with what's in here now.
[59:55.900 --> 59:57.900]  There's nothing.
[59:57.900 --> 01:00:00.900]  I know you all had a chance to go through it for a couple of weeks.
[01:00:00.900 --> 01:00:09.900]  And if you have any specific questions about any of it you know the general funds having to fund you know the small animal like always.
[01:00:09.900 --> 01:00:11.900]  Williams like always you know which is nothing new.
[01:00:11.900 --> 01:00:12.900]  Right.
[01:00:12.900 --> 01:00:13.900]  Those things.
[01:00:13.900 --> 01:00:25.900]  Yeah I personally didn't see anything that jumped out as an alarm that is drastically different from what we've seen in the previous at least the last few years.
[01:00:25.900 --> 01:00:37.900]  And I was almost inclined in fact I'm still a little bit tempted to recommend that we send this budget back to be reworked.
[01:00:37.900 --> 01:00:39.900]  But but you know I doubt it.
[01:00:39.900 --> 01:00:42.900]  That'll get a motion.
[01:00:42.900 --> 01:00:47.900]  Not up for adoption till December the 12th.
[01:00:47.900 --> 01:00:59.900]  Can you can you maybe point out do we have any items that was changed either positive or negative that you could point out.
[01:00:59.900 --> 01:01:03.900]  I missed the last meeting so I just got this tonight.
[01:01:03.900 --> 01:01:08.900]  I hadn't had a chance to I guess do it by the other said opportunity to do.
[01:01:08.900 --> 01:01:12.900]  I mean we were we were optimistic in some areas for instance road money.
[01:01:12.900 --> 01:01:15.900]  You know we're optimistic that that's going to increase.
[01:01:15.900 --> 01:01:22.900]  It hasn't over the last couple of years but we're hopeful things like ad valorem taxes you know we kind of know what that's going to be.
[01:01:22.900 --> 01:01:24.900]  We kept those the same.
[01:01:24.900 --> 01:01:26.900]  The role role role role.
[01:01:26.900 --> 01:01:31.900]  What are we anticipating on that to be.
[01:01:31.900 --> 01:01:39.900]  Not much.
[01:01:39.900 --> 01:01:45.900]  One point two point two point five main is what we're budgeting for next year for twenty twenty six.
[01:01:45.900 --> 01:01:49.900]  We're probably going to be maybe a little over a million this year.
[01:01:49.900 --> 01:01:52.900]  You know that we still got a couple months to go.
[01:01:52.900 --> 01:01:55.900]  So we're optimistic of those things that will go up if they don't.
[01:01:55.900 --> 01:01:56.900]  But what do we budget.
[01:01:56.900 --> 01:01:59.900]  What do we anticipate last year the same two point five.
[01:01:59.900 --> 01:02:02.900]  In twenty twenty five two million eight.
[01:02:02.900 --> 01:02:03.900]  But we haven't done our budget amendment yet.
[01:02:03.900 --> 01:02:12.900]  And we want to with a million so I'm going to come to me and show it.
[01:02:12.900 --> 01:02:17.900]  You only got two major rates out there.
[01:02:17.900 --> 01:02:22.900]  Our levels of debt are about the same as far as having to pay back debt.
[01:02:22.900 --> 01:02:24.900]  We've got to pay those things.
[01:02:24.900 --> 01:02:26.900]  We've got to pay insurance.
[01:02:26.900 --> 01:02:28.900]  You know those things we have to pay payroll.
[01:02:28.900 --> 01:02:30.900]  All those things are in here.
[01:02:30.900 --> 01:02:32.900]  Nothing.
[01:02:32.900 --> 01:02:42.900]  Nothing out of the ordinary.
[01:02:42.900 --> 01:02:44.900]  You have the land the landfill.
[01:02:44.900 --> 01:02:45.900]  That's that's one of the things that's in here.
[01:02:45.900 --> 01:02:49.900]  We have to replace the scale at the landfill which is probably going to be in the narrative.
[01:02:49.900 --> 01:02:51.900]  Two hundred fifty to three hundred thousand.
[01:02:51.900 --> 01:02:53.900]  We can't operate the landfill without a scale.
[01:02:53.900 --> 01:02:59.900]  And we've gone we've gone years with you know it working but you know on a shoestring.
[01:02:59.900 --> 01:03:00.900]  Yeah.
[01:03:00.900 --> 01:03:02.900]  And you know DQ will come down on us in a heartbeat.
[01:03:02.900 --> 01:03:05.900]  So yeah.
[01:03:05.900 --> 01:03:06.900]  Yeah.
[01:03:06.900 --> 01:03:16.900]  I mean that knows you know landfill you know we did sign that agreement with them for the gas to be able to trap the methane gas and sell it.
[01:03:16.900 --> 01:03:18.900]  We'll get money from that.
[01:03:18.900 --> 01:03:21.900]  We won't see that until twenty twenty seven.
[01:03:21.900 --> 01:03:26.900]  So there's some things on the horizon you know that are good so I can't we couldn't budget that.
[01:03:26.900 --> 01:03:37.900]  You know of course our our our our outlook with the budget has always been we don't budget grant money you know because it's not assured.
[01:03:37.900 --> 01:03:38.900]  We don't budget grant expenses.
[01:03:38.900 --> 01:03:41.900]  We do those at the end in a budget amendment.
[01:03:41.900 --> 01:03:43.900]  We've got some requests in.
[01:03:43.900 --> 01:03:48.900]  We've got some FEMA claims related to Hurricane Francine that we're hoping will get resolved.
[01:03:49.900 --> 01:03:54.900]  The female lady was here today all day working with our grants administrator.
[01:03:54.900 --> 01:03:59.900]  So we're hopeful that that money will come in seventy five percent.
[01:03:59.900 --> 01:04:00.900]  Yeah.
[01:04:00.900 --> 01:04:03.900]  But it's a good chunk of money because we did our own cleanup.
[01:04:03.900 --> 01:04:06.900]  So you know we're hopeful of some of those things.
[01:04:06.900 --> 01:04:09.900]  That's not in the budget because you don't know for sure.
[01:04:09.900 --> 01:04:11.900]  You know we've got some money coming in from the solar farm.
[01:04:11.900 --> 01:04:14.900]  Not sure when that's going to come in.
[01:04:14.900 --> 01:04:16.900]  But you know those things are out there.
[01:04:16.900 --> 01:04:23.900]  So what about the fair you say that is that is hopeful to come in in early twenty twenty six.
[01:04:23.900 --> 01:04:27.900]  I talked to Mr. Carlson Monday and we're both on the same page.
[01:04:27.900 --> 01:04:30.900]  Make sure you know we're progressing as we need to.
[01:04:30.900 --> 01:04:33.900]  And you know they're actually getting the money from the state.
[01:04:33.900 --> 01:04:39.900]  And he and I talked and it looks like early twenty twenty six is the target.
[01:04:39.900 --> 01:04:41.900]  That's the only way it could work.
[01:04:41.900 --> 01:04:42.900]  Yeah.
[01:04:42.900 --> 01:04:43.900]  How much money is that?
[01:04:43.900 --> 01:04:48.900]  We haven't exactly come to an amount yet.
[01:04:48.900 --> 01:04:51.900]  The appraisals were a little over two million.
[01:04:51.900 --> 01:04:55.900]  But we'll see if the hospital is not in good repair.
[01:04:55.900 --> 01:04:56.900]  It's not in good shape.
[01:04:56.900 --> 01:04:58.900]  Didn't we spend a million dollars on a roof?
[01:04:58.900 --> 01:05:03.900]  We spent not on the roof but on renovations.
[01:05:03.900 --> 01:05:05.900]  So it is not in good shape.
[01:05:05.900 --> 01:05:06.900]  The roof is not in good shape.
[01:05:06.900 --> 01:05:09.900]  But there's a separate allocation from the state to fix the roof.
[01:05:09.900 --> 01:05:10.900]  OK.
[01:05:10.900 --> 01:05:14.900]  The garbage dump ain't sustainable to pay for their own scale?
[01:05:14.900 --> 01:05:20.900]  The garbage dump is does they make a little money.
[01:05:20.900 --> 01:05:28.900]  But to pull out another two fifty three hundred thousand you still have to find it.
[01:05:28.900 --> 01:05:38.900]  The dump the garbage the landfill is one of the areas where the equipment was probably not as good a shape as I had anticipated.
[01:05:39.900 --> 01:05:45.900]  When I took over and we've had to spend a lot of money on equipment when fixing equipment out there.
[01:05:45.900 --> 01:05:47.900]  So we're in we're in decent shape now.
[01:05:47.900 --> 01:05:50.900]  But it costs a lot to get to that point.
[01:05:50.900 --> 01:05:55.900]  Can you go over to people three hundred thousand dollars scale the garbage dump?
[01:05:55.900 --> 01:05:57.900]  I can't answer that.
[01:05:57.900 --> 01:05:59.900]  That's our responsibility.
[01:05:59.900 --> 01:06:03.900]  I mean, it'll come out of there out of that fund.
[01:06:03.900 --> 01:06:05.900]  You know, they may have some reserves.
[01:06:05.900 --> 01:06:08.900]  But I mean, still, it's still money we got to pay.
[01:06:08.900 --> 01:06:11.900]  You want to come help me find some money?
[01:06:11.900 --> 01:06:13.900]  You want to come help me find some money?
[01:06:13.900 --> 01:06:15.900]  I'll look at everything.
[01:06:15.900 --> 01:06:18.900]  I haven't heard from you about that.
[01:06:18.900 --> 01:06:19.900]  It would be nice.
[01:06:19.900 --> 01:06:21.900]  That is Mr. Duong.
[01:06:21.900 --> 01:06:23.900]  Y'all got a sidebar going on.
[01:06:23.900 --> 01:06:25.900]  I don't know what that's about.
[01:06:25.900 --> 01:06:26.900]  Go ahead.
[01:06:26.900 --> 01:06:28.900]  Page forty three in the budget.
[01:06:28.900 --> 01:06:30.900]  I'm sorry.
[01:06:30.900 --> 01:06:31.900]  Not forty three.
[01:06:31.900 --> 01:06:33.900]  Forty two.
[01:06:33.900 --> 01:06:36.900]  I'm sorry.
[01:06:36.900 --> 01:06:38.900]  Helping welfare.
[01:06:38.900 --> 01:06:40.900]  Five hundred thousand.
[01:06:40.900 --> 01:06:41.900]  Yes, sir.
[01:06:41.900 --> 01:06:44.900]  I was told that's coming out of five eight.
[01:06:44.900 --> 01:06:49.900]  I would like to recommend that we line out and remove that out of the budget.
[01:06:49.900 --> 01:06:52.900]  There's some things that's possibly in the work.
[01:06:52.900 --> 01:06:55.900]  Money coming in.
[01:06:55.900 --> 01:06:56.900]  I always remove it.
[01:06:56.900 --> 01:07:01.900]  And if we need it, we can always make it a budget amendment to put it back in at a later date.
[01:07:01.900 --> 01:07:07.900]  I would like to recommend that we remove this line out amount of budget.
[01:07:07.900 --> 01:07:09.900]  Yes, sir, Mr. President.
[01:07:09.900 --> 01:07:10.900]  Wait, wait, wait.
[01:07:10.900 --> 01:07:11.900]  We have a motion on the floor.
[01:07:11.900 --> 01:07:12.900]  Is that a motion?
[01:07:12.900 --> 01:07:13.900]  Yeah, we need a second.
[01:07:13.900 --> 01:07:14.900]  Yeah, we need a second.
[01:07:14.900 --> 01:07:15.900]  Recommendation.
[01:07:15.900 --> 01:07:17.900]  Second by Mr. Davis.
[01:07:17.900 --> 01:07:19.900]  Mr. President.
[01:07:19.900 --> 01:07:27.900]  I appreciate what you're saying, but I mean, it's turning your back on people who may or may not get that money.
[01:07:27.900 --> 01:07:30.900]  And when you flush your toilet, you want it to work.
[01:07:30.900 --> 01:07:33.900]  And there's a lot of take five eights money.
[01:07:33.900 --> 01:07:42.900]  Is the other municipality going to it's only going to be in that pack and if we're going to take five eights money, is the other municipality going to contribute the same amount of money?
[01:07:42.900 --> 01:07:47.900]  Five and eight money is is the district you're talking about.
[01:07:47.900 --> 01:07:48.900]  That's the district.
[01:07:48.900 --> 01:07:49.900]  It's by you.
[01:07:49.900 --> 01:07:54.900]  By the municipalities that are in with the only by you.
[01:07:54.900 --> 01:07:56.900]  Right.
[01:07:56.900 --> 01:08:00.900]  So the five eights to a system does not impact any other.
[01:08:00.900 --> 01:08:01.900]  Yes.
[01:08:01.900 --> 01:08:03.900]  Municipalities by this very passion.
[01:08:03.900 --> 01:08:04.900]  Okay.
[01:08:04.900 --> 01:08:06.900]  Your question is, are they going to share?
[01:08:06.900 --> 01:08:08.900]  Are they going to share this expense equally?
[01:08:08.900 --> 01:08:12.900]  This would only be for by this.
[01:08:12.900 --> 01:08:16.900]  Burwick does their own.
[01:08:16.900 --> 01:08:19.900]  Follow me.
[01:08:19.900 --> 01:08:23.900]  What do you mean that they do their own?
[01:08:23.900 --> 01:08:26.900]  Well, Burwick has their own operations.
[01:08:26.900 --> 01:08:28.900]  They pumped towards five and eight.
[01:08:28.900 --> 01:08:29.900]  They all pumped to five.
[01:08:29.900 --> 01:08:30.900]  Five.
[01:08:30.900 --> 01:08:31.900]  Okay.
[01:08:31.900 --> 01:08:42.900]  And then when it gets to five and eight, it's part of the trajectory with what we're talking about is the homes that are in by your VISTA should be done with five and eight.
[01:08:42.900 --> 01:08:47.900]  And if they have homes with problems in in Burwick, I would think that they would be helping them.
[01:08:47.900 --> 01:08:53.900]  I don't think Burwick's having the problem that by VISTA's.
[01:08:53.900 --> 01:08:55.900]  And money's hard to find.
[01:08:55.900 --> 01:09:02.900]  I mean, this is a lot of money that we try to go and find and pick up.
[01:09:02.900 --> 01:09:03.900]  Find this money.
[01:09:03.900 --> 01:09:04.900]  The money's already in there.
[01:09:04.900 --> 01:09:08.900]  Oh, we talking we talking about ten million dollars, sir.
[01:09:08.900 --> 01:09:10.900]  I'm not talking about five hundred thousand.
[01:09:10.900 --> 01:09:13.900]  I know you got to walk before you can run.
[01:09:13.900 --> 01:09:16.900]  I mean, ten million dollars is a lot of money.
[01:09:16.900 --> 01:09:19.900]  I'm going to go I'm going to go dig for it and look for it.
[01:09:19.900 --> 01:09:21.900]  And I've been very good at bringing money back to this parish.
[01:09:21.900 --> 01:09:22.900]  Very good.
[01:09:22.900 --> 01:09:27.900]  But if you got money and you don't want to use it on your own people, I don't understand.
[01:09:27.900 --> 01:09:28.900]  I'm not saying I don't want to use it.
[01:09:28.900 --> 01:09:29.900]  I'm saying that we need it.
[01:09:29.900 --> 01:09:31.900]  Well, that's exactly what you said.
[01:09:31.900 --> 01:09:36.900]  I mean, we could have a budget amendment to put the money for the budget amendment to pay for this fund.
[01:09:36.900 --> 01:09:38.900]  A budget amendment for what?
[01:09:38.900 --> 01:09:46.900]  We could make a budget amendment at any point throughout the year to allocate the five hundred thousand at a later date instead of having it here in this budget.
[01:09:46.900 --> 01:09:48.900]  We're not going to fit.
[01:09:48.900 --> 01:09:50.900]  I don't think we're going to do it right away.
[01:09:50.900 --> 01:09:52.900]  But, you know, that's fine.
[01:09:52.900 --> 01:10:04.900]  You know, if you I just don't understand taking that away from from people getting started to fix and repair the damages that have been done over the years.
[01:10:04.900 --> 01:10:06.900]  Nobody's it's nobody here's fault.
[01:10:06.900 --> 01:10:14.900]  I do find it, you know, kind of humorous in the sense that you're willing to put up five hundred thousand out of the three tenths.
[01:10:14.900 --> 01:10:19.900]  But by just the rec center couldn't get thirteen thousand for a fire control panel.
[01:10:19.900 --> 01:10:22.900]  Ball and PD couldn't get five thousand for radios.
[01:10:22.900 --> 01:10:24.900]  Seems kind of odd.
[01:10:24.900 --> 01:10:27.900]  So far that doesn't that doesn't equal out the flush in the tall.
[01:10:27.900 --> 01:10:32.900]  No, but it's just pennies compared to five hundred thousand.
[01:10:32.900 --> 01:10:35.900]  We're not finished this year yet.
[01:10:35.900 --> 01:10:38.900]  We're not finished paying invoices yet.
[01:10:38.900 --> 01:10:41.900]  We still got some to do something.
[01:10:41.900 --> 01:10:44.900]  Maybe not yours, but we got some to pay.
[01:10:44.900 --> 01:10:46.900]  But there's not a lot of money.
[01:10:46.900 --> 01:10:47.900]  There's not.
[01:10:47.900 --> 01:10:48.900]  That's what I'm talking about.
[01:10:48.900 --> 01:10:50.900]  That's exactly what I'm talking about.
[01:10:50.900 --> 01:10:52.900]  We still got a month and a half.
[01:10:52.900 --> 01:10:54.900]  Paul and I we talked about it.
[01:10:54.900 --> 01:10:55.900]  We're going to try to finish.
[01:10:55.900 --> 01:10:58.900]  But we don't want to finish in the deficit.
[01:10:58.900 --> 01:11:01.900]  We've already finished in the deficit in 2013.
[01:11:01.900 --> 01:11:06.900]  I mean, I mean, twenty twenty three, which was a shock to people here.
[01:11:06.900 --> 01:11:10.900]  I mean, we don't we don't need to finish in the deficit.
[01:11:10.900 --> 01:11:12.900]  And that's hard.
[01:11:12.900 --> 01:11:15.900]  Look, picking and choosing who gets money, who doesn't get.
[01:11:15.900 --> 01:11:16.900]  That's a hard thing.
[01:11:16.900 --> 01:11:17.900]  That's a hard.
[01:11:17.900 --> 01:11:18.900]  I give that to everybody.
[01:11:18.900 --> 01:11:23.900]  That is a very hard thing to decide who's not going to get it and who's going to get it.
[01:11:23.900 --> 01:11:29.900]  And then we're going to end up maybe even.
[01:11:29.900 --> 01:11:33.900]  That's a very hard thing to decide.
[01:11:33.900 --> 01:11:41.900]  I'm sure you would face that every day.
[01:11:41.900 --> 01:11:46.900]  As emotion and a second on the floor, any further discussion?
[01:11:46.900 --> 01:11:52.900]  If not.
[01:11:52.900 --> 01:11:56.900]  Move by Councilman Hill to remove the line item.
[01:11:56.900 --> 01:12:03.660]  sales tax wars five and eight fund 125 and seconded by Councilman Davis all in
[01:12:03.660 --> 01:12:14.460]  favor aye aye any opposed nay nay okay let's identify yourself a one two three
[01:12:14.460 --> 01:12:18.700]  four four nays
[01:12:26.900 --> 01:12:41.740]  you have six in favor the motion carries four nays six in favor four against the
[01:12:41.740 --> 01:12:50.540]  motion carries okay so any other business under item 7a I want to ask a
[01:12:50.540 --> 01:12:57.100]  question about the capital outlay requests there has been some movement on
[01:12:57.100 --> 01:13:03.340]  the fire district 11 fire station did we make a request are we making a request
[01:13:03.340 --> 01:13:10.860]  in capital outlay to contribute to that yeah okay and was that amount I think
[01:13:10.860 --> 01:13:17.860]  half a million extra half a million extra that's what they need to add to
[01:13:17.860 --> 01:13:24.780]  what they already have that's my direct conversations with chief and everything
[01:13:24.780 --> 01:13:32.100]  is Senator all I am you know they've been having discussions so 500,000 seems
[01:13:32.100 --> 01:13:36.060]  to be enough to finish the station he's very upset senator senator I was very
[01:13:36.060 --> 01:13:39.540]  optimistic he can get him what he needed I was gonna ask if that's gonna
[01:13:39.580 --> 01:13:44.220]  what tier is that gonna fall in since money is available whatever available
[01:13:44.220 --> 01:13:51.180]  immediately it's available yeah and in fact it could come as a direct allocation
[01:13:51.180 --> 01:13:57.180]  or could be part of the but the probability is higher for those types of
[01:13:57.180 --> 01:14:05.980]  projects right there okay I'm satisfied to say that sometime next year
[01:14:05.980 --> 01:14:11.700]  they should have been built years ago there's been a struggle here and there
[01:14:11.700 --> 01:14:17.380]  getting the land listen now can I say something yes on the agenda tonight is a
[01:14:17.380 --> 01:14:22.100]  cooperative endeavor agreement between the parish and the fire district so that
[01:14:22.100 --> 01:14:26.660]  we can that the parish can draw the money and administer the program I've
[01:14:26.660 --> 01:14:30.260]  been in touch with Center Alliance office and there was some confusion about where
[01:14:30.260 --> 01:14:33.940]  the money was going because the state changed the rules and they changed them
[01:14:33.940 --> 01:14:38.940]  back and but we're on track now to sign the CEA to get the ball rolling and then
[01:14:38.940 --> 01:14:43.940]  and the plans are already at the state for them to review them and have a
[01:14:43.940 --> 01:14:49.180]  fire marshal review on and then review a pool and that's and that's step in the
[01:14:49.180 --> 01:14:56.500]  process to allow us to go to be anybody had any other questions regarding
[01:14:56.500 --> 01:15:06.660]  capital outlay anything else regarding the 2026 proposed budgets
[01:15:09.980 --> 01:15:16.060]  any other business that may become come before the Advisory Committee that's a
[01:15:16.060 --> 01:15:23.900]  hearing none now we just need a motion to adjourn move by Councilman Hill
[01:15:23.940 --> 01:15:30.220]  second by Councilman a bear all in favor all right any opposed meeting
[01:15:30.220 --> 01:15:33.500]  adjourned the next