October 22
October 22, 2007
Richard Weaver
October 24, 2007Lafourche Parish President Charlotte Randolph proposed the $47 million 2008 Operations and Maintenance Budget and the $24 million Capital Budget for Lafourche Parish.
The current amended Operations and Maintenance Budget for 2007 is $52 million. The finally mended budget for 2006 was $42 million.
The 2008 Capital Budget adds $12 million to new and existing projects for an estimated $24 million in funding for proposed projects.
But, a five-year budget projection, which demonstrates additional needs and scheduled capital improvements, was not included in the $24 million figure.
General sales tax collections brought in nearly $12 million and ad valorem taxes accounted for $9 million.
Grants, state revenue sharing, fees, licenses, permits and other revenue sources are expected to generate $26 million, including $4.6 million of an estimated $10 million for the Coastal Impact Assistance Program from the federal government and $4 million from the state for the saltwater control structure north of Larose.
“Revenues are available to meet our needs,” said Lafourche Parish President Charlotte Randolph.
As of Dec. 31, 2007, the parish will have an outstanding debt of $32 million.
The annual principal and interest debt service due in 2008 will be $5 million, accounting for nine percent of the total appropriations for 2008.
The 2008 budget includes funding for an array of projects and funding increases.
Among the funded items for the coming year are:
– Saltwater control structure north of Larose
– Coastal Impact Assistance Program projects
– Increased funding for the Council on Aging
– The purchase of inflatable levees
– Cote Blanche Bridge repairs
– South Lafourche Annex construction
– Drainage work behind LCO and to the south of Cut Off Elementary
– Leighton pump station
– Roadwork in Choctaw/ Chackbay, the airport in Galliano and in the Golden Meadow area
– Preliminary drainage work on Laurel Valley Road and engineering on the east/west Thibodaux corridor project
Randolph actually proposed a 50 percent increase in funding for the Council on Aging in the Operations and Maintenance Budget.
“The 2004 rededication of Health Unit funds provided most of the funding for this increase,” Randolph said. “But this does reduce amounts available for future years.”
The parish has increased funding to the Council on Aging from $62,200 to over $400,000 in general funds, fuel and insurance coverage for employees and vehicles since 2004.
Another $50,000 per year is provided directly to senior citizens centers to fund the Lafourche on the Move Program.
Randolph warned there would be challenges for the parish in 2008.
More bed spaces are needed at the Lafourche Parish Detention Center.
Retaining parish employees during a time when the economy is luring them out of the parish for better wages and benefits.
And the costs of maintaining the parish’s drainage system and public facilities will continue to rise.
Randolph made the budget proposal at the last parish council meeting on Oct. 9.
