The demolition project and a raise in the water and sewer service dominated the discussion at a special Vinton City Council meeting this past Monday. The meeting was called to discuss and approve the amended 2010 budget and the proposed 2011 budget, both of which were approved.
The discussion and decision now goes before the citizens on Wednesday, September 8, at the City Hall. The public hearing will begin at 6 p.m. and will be followed immediately by a Council decision to accept the budget or go back to the drawing table.
Phillip Abshire, CPA from Langley, Williams and Company, of Lake Charles, prepared the budgets. The amended budget for 2010 was accepted unanimously after some deliberation. Abshire assured the Council that it should meet the five percent level of accuracy required by the state law.
The proposed 2011 budget brought more discussion and several points of debate.
The demolition project allotment brought a question from Council Member Harold Douga that opened the debate.
“I don’t understand this safety issue. If someone comes in my house and gets hurt then they can come to you and get it taken down,” Douga asked.
The city has hired a professional to evaluate the properties for next year to avoid any problems determining the properties that are actually a safety hazard to the public under the city ordinance.
Several members asked if the town received any money back from the project at all last year.
Douga commented, “If we changed our code of ordinances, we wouldn’t have to
continue this project. “
Council member Paul Patin was concerned if the project would be stopped.
“It’s our obligation to those who do take care of their property,” he said.
Douga proposed that Mary Vice do a line item on financial sheets each month for the Council that notes any revenue coming back to the city on that project. The Council approved that so the money could be monitored next year at each meeting. Council debated at length concerning the proposed increase in the water and sewer bills. The budget raises the water by $1.50 a month and the sewer by $1.50 a month. Each household would spend an extra $36 a year for the public services.
Council member Bliss Bujard voiced a strong opposition to the increase.
“I’m just trying different ways to generate revenue to do some of the things
that need to be done,” Mayor Kenny Stinson said.
Bujard and Council member William B.B. Loyd expressed both sides of the issue.
“Are you for an increase?” Bujard asked Loyd directly.
“I’m for a better system,” Loyd responded. “I haven’t put any effort in trying to make it better. I’m compelled to do something to make things better.”
Council member Kevin Merchant said he had recently been at a state meeting.
“I’ve spoken to people from all over Louisiana. The $19 figure is the low end of the state,” he said.
The Council asked Bujard where he would cut the budget. He could not point to any specific area.
“I don’t want to vote for this budget that has this in here. It’s tagged on — like so many government bills,” said Bujard.
Loyd countered, “I still want to see a plan to increase it [city revenue].”
“I can change and take this out of the budget and another will be ready in the morning,” said Abshire.
Council decided unanimously to present the proposed 2011 budget as is to the public.
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The demolition project and a raise in the water and sewer service dominated the discussion at a special Vinton City Council meeting this past Monday. The meeting was called to discuss and approve the amended 2010 budget and the proposed 2011 budget, both of which were approved.
The discussion and decision now goes before the citizens on Wednesday, September 8, at the City Hall. The public hearing will begin at 6 p.m. and will be followed immediately by a Council decision to accept the budget or go back to the drawing table.
Phillip Abshire, CPA from Langley, Williams and Company, of Lake Charles, prepared the budgets. The amended budget for 2010 was accepted unanimously after some deliberation. Abshire assured the Council that it should meet the five percent level of accuracy required by the state law.
The proposed 2011 budget brought more discussion and several points of debate.
The demolition project allotment brought a question from Council Member Harold Douga that opened the debate.
“I don’t understand this safety issue. If someone comes in my house and gets hurt then they can come to you and get it taken down,” Douga asked.
The city has hired a professional to evaluate the properties for next year to avoid any problems determining the properties that are actually a safety hazard to the public under the city ordinance.
Several members asked if the town received any money back from the project at all last year.
Douga commented, “If we changed our code of ordinances, we wouldn’t have to
continue this project. “
Council member Paul Patin was concerned if the project would be stopped.
“It’s our obligation to those who do take care of their property,” he said.
Douga proposed that Mary Vice do a line item on financial sheets each month for the Council that notes any revenue coming back to the city on that project. The Council approved that so the money could be monitored next year at each meeting. Council debated at length concerning the proposed increase in the water and sewer bills. The budget raises the water by $1.50 a month and the sewer by $1.50 a month. Each household would spend an extra $36 a year for the public services.
Council member Bliss Bujard voiced a strong opposition to the increase.
“I’m just trying different ways to generate revenue to do some of the things
that need to be done,” Mayor Kenny Stinson said.
Bujard and Council member William B.B. Loyd expressed both sides of the issue.
“Are you for an increase?” Bujard asked Loyd directly.
“I’m for a better system,” Loyd responded. “I haven’t put any effort in trying to make it better. I’m compelled to do something to make things better.”
Council member Kevin Merchant said he had recently been at a state meeting.
“I’ve spoken to people from all over Louisiana. The $19 figure is the low end of the state,” he said.
The Council asked Bujard where he would cut the budget. He could not point to any specific area.
“I don’t want to vote for this budget that has this in here. It’s tagged on — like so many government bills,” said Bujard.
Loyd countered, “I still want to see a plan to increase it [city revenue].”
“I can change and take this out of the budget and another will be ready in the morning,” said Abshire.
Council decided unanimously to present the proposed 2011 budget as is to the public.
