August 5, 2025 City of Jeanerette Finance Committee Meeting

[City Clerk]

Minutes from the August 5, 2025 City of Jeanerette Finance Committee Meeting Present- Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr. Alderwoman Tia Simmons, Alderwoman Charlene Moore, and Susan Colden City Clerk, Police Chief Terrance Moore was also in attendance. The Mayor called the meeting to order. There were no public comments. Alderwoman Simmons started by reviewing her corrected June 30, 2025 P & L and comparing actual expenses to budget noting that the year-to-date budget Expenses should be 100%. Alderwoman Simmons noted that most areas were in budget She noted that the LGAP grant was not used to offset the expense in Admin, computer expense, There were also changes she had to do the the police because the Criminalistics were not moved. Street Department expenses were over budget at 107.33, with uniforms and salaries causing the overage. The transfers were wrong, for example drainage never transferred to general fund. The budget was wrong in the sales tax accounts as well as for the expenses in fund 27 and 39. Fund 61, Police Protection was slightly over budget but under the 105 thresholds. The water plant was over budget due to cost of chemicals and was at 109.10. The postage was not moved from sewer plant and the water plant expenses was not changed from vehicle & equipment to generator maintenance. The garbage expense is over by 117%, the group noted we might have to increase rates, and discussed possibly looking at an alternate company. Statewide is requesting a 3-year contract that would increase the sewer contract by $1,500 per month and the water contract by $1600 per month. The group felt that the cost increase was reasonable and wanted them to be there with the building of the new sewer plant. Next the Mayor discussed the Hebert property that is involved in the sewer plant. There was a question on getting the funds to purchase from Water Sector funds and Nick Sonnier from Sellers stated via phone that you submit a PPE and the funds are disbursed. The monies paid for engineering fees can be used to justify the release of funds. There also may need to be a signed agreement. Nick said that Jeff Simon is waiting for the Mayor to authorize. Next Alderwoman Simmons asked what Act 461 was going to be used for, after a discussion it was determined that it will go for the police department for new cars, and Chief Moore presented options for lease and number of vehicles. After review it was determined to go with 7 vehicles for 60-month lease. There was also a discussion about the need for a sewer machine. There was discussion maybe that could be financed. Ms. Colden quickly highlighted that the sales tax is up 32% from this time last year. The cash flow analysis shows we transferred $70,000 from 2004 in July. The reconciled bank balances as of 6/30/25 were presented and the A/P Payables report and the Utility Billing status report were reviewed. Alderwoman Simmons said that she would like a better system other than using other income, such as a temporary accounting area. The materials for the street lamp proposal by John Royston was also reviewed. With no other items to discuss the meeting was adjourned.


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Carol Bourgeois Jr., Mayor
ATTEST:




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Susan Colden City Clerk