Opelousas council approves amended 2024–25 budget but fails to adopt 2025–26 plan after split vote; members press for fuel‑card and vehicle transparency

The Opelousas City Council on Aug. 20 approved an ordinance amending the city’s operating budget for the fiscal year that began Sept. 1, 2024, but failed to adopt the proposed operating budget for Sept. 1, 2025–Aug. 31, 2026, after a 2‑2 tie vote.

The amended‑current‑year ordinance passed 4–0 and was recorded as Ordinance No. 2 of 2025. The council deadlocked on the proposed 2025–26 budget after Alderman Charles Cummings and Alderman Sherrell Roberts voted no while Alderman Marvin Richard and Alderman John Gilbo voted yes; the mayor did not cast a tie‑breaking vote, and the motion did not pass.

Why it matters: Council members said they want clearer, line‑level information before approving the next fiscal year’s spending plan. Debate centered on a previously promised 2.5% pay increase for municipal employees, the timing of revenue from a newly approved 1¢ sales tax, and a detailed review of city vehicle assignments and fuel‑card monitoring that some members said affects both cost control and public trust.

The treasurer, Lawanda Saint Anne, told the council she began preparing the budget early this year and that the proposed document before the council reflected department submissions and requested cuts. "Each department did that," Saint Anne said, describing outreach to department heads and auditors and noting that the amended column in the packet is a projection of where the city will end the fiscal year. She explained the 1¢ sales tax receipts will not arrive until November and that any material change to the budget later will require a formal amendment.

Alderman Sherrell Roberts urged caution about adopting the new budget without further review, saying the council should not reverse pay already received: "We cannot go back and cut somebody pay when we already adopted that last year," Roberts said, arguing for more time to examine line items.

Alderman Charles Cummings pressed for specific administrative details he said he needs before he can support adoption — notably, how many city vehicles are taken home overnight, how many fuel cards exist, and how card usage is monitored. Council members and staff provided a provisional count during the meeting: the treasurer and staff listed roughly 13 city vehicles that are taken home by staff across departments (water, parks and recreation, code enforcement, public works and others) and said the city issues fuel cards assigned to vehicle assets rather than to individuals. The council also noted one city credit card that “does not leave this office.”

Several council members and the chief cautioned that supervisors must be able to respond quickly to off‑hour emergencies, and the fire department described supervisors and training officers who carry vehicles and gear to remain available for night calls. At the same time, members asked city staff to provide documentation on vehicle assignments, fuel‑card numbers, and monitoring procedures — including mileage reporting tied to card use — before the next meeting.

Votes at a glance: - Ordinance amending FY 2024–25 operating budget (Ordinance No. 2 of 2025): Passed 4–0. Motion moved by Alderman Sherrell Roberts and recorded with a second; council recorded yes votes by Aldermen Marvin Richard, John Gilbo, Charles Cummings and Sherrell Roberts. - Ordinance adopting FY 2025–26 operating budget: Failed by tie (2 yes, 2 no). Yes — Aldermen Marvin Richard and John Gilbo; No — Aldermen Charles Cummings and Sherrell Roberts. Mayor did not break the tie; motion failed. - Motion to accept budget committee report: Passed (recorded 3 yes, 1 no). The record shows the council accepted the committee report after debate; Alderman Roberts voted no on that item.

What comes next: Council members asked staff to produce the requested itemized information — vehicle list, fuel‑card assignments and monitoring reports, credit‑card controls, and bids/expenses related to recent building work — ahead of any further vote on the 2025–26 budget. Saint Anne reiterated that the amended column in the packet is a year‑to‑date projection and that formal amendments will be made when actual revenues (including the new sales tax) are received.

The meeting record shows several council members stressing improved communication between department heads and the council so elected officials can answer constituent questions about spending and operations. The council indicated items related to the proposed budget will carry to a future agenda for continued consideration.