Terrebonne budget $196.3M

Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet delivered his proposed 2012 budget to the Parish Council last Wednesday. The $196.3 million financial plan represents a 1 percent, approximately $1.8 million, boost from the adopted 2011 budget, and contains a 3 percent cost of living pay increase for local government workers, plus $14.5 million in operating and five-year capital outlay.

Wage and salary raises for approximately 1,000 parish employees will cost roughly $850,000, and according to Claudet, is a worthwhile investment. “Our employees are our greatest asset and when financially possible, I believe they should be rewarded for their work and dedication,” he said. The top government executive said the economy has begun to stabilize since the 2010 Gulf drilling moratorium has been “somewhat relaxed” and helped justify his pay raise proposal.

Claudet said that costs associated with group insurance and retirement contributions continue to multiply. In turn, he proposed the budget be designed to incrementally increase supplements to those employee benefits. The increase will vary depending on individual plans for which employees enroll themselves and their dependents.

The five-year capital outlay plan on the 2012 budget covers non-reoccurring expenditures. They include drainage improvements involving the Bayou Chauvin Canal, Bayou LaCarpe, the High Ridge levee, Hollywood Road drainage, Summerfield pump station and the Aviation Road drainage, collectively costing more than $1 million.

Proposed government building and land improvements include health unit construction, a new roof for the Terrebonne adult corrections center and downtown parking improvements, all estimated to cost in excess of $1.5 million.

Road and bridge projects are budgeted at more than $1.6 million and include work for La. Highway 24 sidewalks, Country Drive improvements, enhancements to the Dularge Bridge, and the extension from Hollywood Road and Valhi Boulevard to Savanne and Equity roads.

A total $1 million allotment for coastal restoration is met with an additional $200,000 allocated for improvements to the Lake Boudreaux diversion.

Transit operations and public safety programs are offered $231,000 in the capital outlay plan, and contributions to a proposed skate park total $130,000.

Projected parish revenue for 2012, presently listed at an anticipated $187 million, are shared resources based on percentage contributions. They list 35.8 percent from taxes and special assessments, 32.9 percent from utility revenue, 14.8 percent from service charges, 11.7 percent from intergovernmental resources, 2.5 percent from fines and forfeitures, and 0.5 percent from miscellaneous revenue.

Claudet credited the resiliency and dedication of parish personnel to work within resources while addressing community needs.

“Looking back on the first five months of 2011, parish residents had to endure two natural disasters [flooding from the Atchafalaya River in the spring and Tropical Storm Lee the first weekend of September],” Claudet told council members. “Thus far the Houma-Thibodaux [metropolitan statistical area] has resisted the downward national economic and unemployment trends. … [And] sales tax revenues have stabilized over recent months with the slowdown caused by the [April 2010 BP] Gulf oil spill.”

Claudet said that flooding risks are being reduced with drainage and levee programs and the elevating of homes in the parish. He also credited partnerships with various organizations as enhancing quality of life issues for the region.

The council unanimously accepted the proposed 2012 spending plan and referred it to their Budget and Finance Committee for review. An initial public hearing regarding the 2012 budget is slated for Oct. 12. Finance Committee discussion and hearings will be offered on Oct. 10, 24 and 31, and Nov. 14 and 28. The full council is expected to cast a final budget vote on Dec. 1.