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Council hears debate on moving Main Street from Finance to Community Development; HDBA partnership discussed
Summary
Councilmembers debated an ordinance to move Main Street staff and responsibilities from the finance department back to community development, with the Historic District Business Association (HDBA) describing expanded event management and a continuing city staffing role.
NATCHITOCHES, La. — The council introduced an ordinance on April 14 to amend the city personnel manual and relocate Main Street from the finance department to community development. The proposal drew both support and opposition from councilmembers and a description of the local partnership with the Historic District Business Association.
Councilman PT read the ordinance for introduction, saying the move would place Main Street under the direction of community development. He told colleagues: "It just makes sense for this to be under community development," citing daily operational needs such as event setup and streetscape upkeep that he said align with community development's resources.
Councilman Harrington disagreed in part: "At this point, I'm not in favor of this move. I think it needs to be left where it is. There's a reason it got pulled under finance," he said, noting the ongoing partnership with downtown business groups and the recent shared staffing arrangement.
Sandra Dickens, representing the Historic District Business Association, told the council HDBA is expanding programming tied to the riverbank and other venues and expects increased event activity. "Beaujardin is fixing to blow it out of the water," Dickens said, describing a surge in calls and weekend/night events that will require coordination. She added HDBA will maintain Main Street certification and support advertising and event promotion.
City staff explained the transition would not remove city staffing: the city would retain a full-time Main Street employee and seek an additional part-time assistant, while HDBA plans to hire a full-time employee dedicated to its work. Finance Director Clarissa Brown Smith said finance historically managed payroll and utility-related functions and does not maintain the field resources community development uses for event setup and streetscape maintenance.
Councilmembers asked about hiring, supervision and whether HDBA would take over operations. Staff said the city's employees would remain city employees, with management responsibility shifting to whichever department the council approves. No final vote was taken; the ordinance was introduced for later consideration.
