The Gueydan Journal

Minutes of the proceedings of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the Town of Gueydan, Louisiana, taken at regular meeting held Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at 6:00 o’clock P.M.

The Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the Town of Gueydan, Louisiana met in regular session with Mayor Jude Reese presiding and the following Aldermen present:

Present: EFREM LIVINGSTON, JOHN LASETER,
ANITA DUPUIS & JASON SUIRE
Absent : LAUREL PORTIE’

Public Comment any item on agenda (3 minutes per person)

Motion was made by JASON SUIRE, seconded by JOHN LASETER, and carried, that in as much as each member of the Board of Aldermen received a copy of minutes taken at Regular Meeting of October 3, 2023, that the reading of said minutes be dispensed with and same be adopted as written.

Motion by JASON SUIRE, seconded by JOHN LASETER, and carried, that the reports of the Bookkeeper and Tax Collector be approved as filed.

Period Actual YTD Actual Budget Variance
General Fund October 2023
Revenue 219,246.56 1,236,813.21 1,207,984.00 ( 30,829.21)
Expenditures:
General &
Administrative 18,077.52 252,798.89 243,975.00 ( 8,823.89)
Police
Department 23,342.31 374,107.06 333,436.00 ( 40,871.09)
Fire
Department 19,683.77 258,813.63 228,590.00 ( 30,223.63)
Streets &
Bridges 16,382.44 205,630.68 213,200.00 7,569.32
Drainage 174.21 22,207.95 10,550.00 ( 1,657.95)
Sanitation 0.00 0.00 109.00 109.00
Community
Center 1,233.21 36,908.55 37,750.00 841.45
Meeting Hall .00 1,762.31 1,700.00 ( 62.31)
Dept 81 –
Capital Outlay .00 47,909.51 .00 ( 47,909.51)
Total
Expenditures 78,893.26 1,200,138.58 1,069,310.00 ( 130,828.58)
Profit (Loss) 140,353.32 38 ,674.23 138,674.00 99,999.37
Sales Tax
Revenue 19,867.78 195,216.03 301,500.00 106,283.97
Expenses &
Transfers Out 141,528.41 .00 ( 141,528.41)
Total Expenditures .00 141,528.41 .00 ( 141,528.41)
Profit (Loss) 19,867.78 53,687.62 301,500.00 247,812.38

Utility Fund Revenue
Misc. Rev &
Transfers 1,407.99 72,529.95 75,700.00 3,170.05
Electrical 129,169.77 1,409,014.42 1,750,000.00 340,985.58
Gas 12,059.75 135,484.71 250,000.00 114,515.29
Sewer 14,163.40 141,700.00 161,900.00 20,200.00
Water 17,235.20 166,066.20 198,500.00 32,433.80
Total
Revenues 174,036.11 1,924,795.28 2,436,100.00 511,304.72

Expenditures:
Transfers Out 105,000.00 875,000.00 750,000.00 ( 125,000.00)
Electrical 14,449.53 811,539.39 1,084,650.00 273,110.61
Gas 11,640.25 208,029.49 223,900.00 15,870.51
Sewer 15,128.53 179,591.71 200,960.00 21,368.29
Water 103,623.95 292,189.68 248,475.00 ( 33,714.68)
Dept 84
ARPA Sewer 14,965.00 47,205.76 0.00 ( 47,205.76)
Dept 85
ARPA Water 0.00 11,612.00 0.00 ( 11,612.00)
Total
Expenditure 264,807.29 2,415,168.03 2,507,985.00 92,816.97
Profit (Loss)( 90,771.15) ( 490,372.75) ( 71,885.00) 418,487.75

Motion by JASON SUIRE, seconded by JOHN LASETER, and carried that the following transfer, on the date, and amount from fund is hereby ratified and approved:

To General Fund:

October 02, 2023 Utility Fund $30,000.00
October 16, 2023 Utility Fund $35,000.00
October 26, 2023 Utility Fund $10,000.00
October 30, 2023 Utility Fund $30,000.00

Motion by JASON SUIRE, seconded by JOHN LASETER and carried to approve the billing adjustments in the amount of $50.11 for the month of October, 2023.

Larry Cramer, engineer representing Sellers & Associates, gave a briefing on the Department of Transportation that the project for lighting of the main street, applications will begin being accepted in late 2024.

Vermilion Parish may be able to donate a generator for the Simon Addition pump. No news from GOHSEP on the status of the Main Pump Station. On the status of the LA Watershed application, something should be informed by mid-December. The application for the Capital Outlay Grant has been submitted for the new Police/Fire Station. The Clearing/Demolition of blighted property still has not been awarded.

Mr. Cramer presented the results of the Wastewater Treatment Plant to explain the scoring of the plant which was adopted at the October, 2023 meeting.

SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1The following resolution was offered by JASON SUIRE, seconded by ANITA DUPUIS and duly resolved:

RESOLUTION NO. 9-2023

A RESOLUTION REQUESTING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
FROM THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
UNDER THE FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
AND
COMMUNITY WATER ENRICHMENT FUND PROGRAM

WHEREAS, the Louisiana Legislature has appropriated funding for the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Local Government Assistance Program (LGAP) and Community Water Enrichment Fund (CWEF) Program; and

WHEREAS, the Local Government Assistance Program offers grants to eligible municipalities and parishes for a wide range of projects to improve public health, public safety, living conditions and for economic development purposes; and

WHEREAS, the Community Water Enrichment Fund Program offers grants to eligible municipalities and parishes for rehabilitation, improvements and new construction projects for community potable water systems; and

WHEREAS, it is deemed necessary and proper to submit applications to the Louisiana Office of Community Development under the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Local Government Assistance Program and also the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Community Water Enrichment Fund Program.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Aldermen of the Town of Gueydan that Mayor Jude Reese is hereby authorized to sign and submit an application to the State of Louisiana, Office of Community Development under the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Local Government Assistance Program and also execute any and all documents should this grant be funded; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Mayor is hereby authorized to sign and submit an application to the State of Louisiana, Office of Community Development under the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Community Water Enrichment Fund Program and also execute any and all documents should this grant be funded.

THEREUPON, the above resolution was declared adopted.

Motion by JASON SUIRE, seconded by JOHN LASETER and carried to introduce the amended budget ordinance “AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING AN AMENDED OPERATING BUDGET OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURES FOR THE YEAR BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2023 AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2023”. A public hearing will be held before the next regular meeting held on December 5, 2023 at 5:45 p.m. Ordinance will be presented for final adoption at this meeting which begins at 6:00 p.m.

Motion by JOHN LASETER, seconded by JASON SUIRE, and carried to introduce the proposed operating budget ordinance “AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING AN OPERATING BUDGET OF REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES FOR THE YEAR BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2024 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2024”. A public hearing will be held before the next regular meeting held on December 5, 2023 at 5:45 p.m. Ordinance will be presented for final adoption at this meeting which begins at 6:00 p.m.

Ms. Kayla Link representing the Vermilion Economic Development Alliance, introduced herself and informed those present that she looks forward to working with everyone.

There being no further business to come before the meeting thereupon motion by JOHN LASETER, seconded by JASON SUIRE, and carried the meeting thereupon adjourned at 6:27 o’clock P.M. on this 7th day of November 2023.

S/Roxanna Richard S/Jude Reese Clerk Mayor

Minutes Published in The Gueydan Journal Newspaper:
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023