Votes at a glance: Council adopts leases, change order and appointments; budget amendment approved and adoption tabled

NATCHITOCHES, La. — The Natchitoches City Council on April 14 took several formal actions: it approved an airport lease and an electrical change order, adopted multiple proclamations, approved an amendment to the proposed fiscal 2025–26 budget and then voted to table final adoption.

The council voted to adopt an airport land lease (ordinance number 008 of 02/2025) that authorizes a 25-year lease of a 21,785.76-square-foot parcel at the regional airport to Elliott Properties, with an initial annual payment reported in the ordinance text. The council also approved change order number 1 to a contractor agreement for airfield signs and lights at Natchitoches Regional Airport, increasing the contract by $1,588.75 to a revised total of $426,588.75; city staff said the cost is covered by LADOTD and is not an expense to the city.

On the proposed FY 2025–26 budget (ordinance number 009), the council approved an amendment to correct the totals supplied by the finance director and then voted to table final adoption to the next meeting. The amendment changed the general fund total to $21,800,000, the proprietary utility fund to $37,700,000, and the special/capital funds to $43,700,000; councilmembers voted to table the ordinance so staff could prepare the corrected ordinance language and required public notices.

The council also adopted a resolution appointing Mayor Ronnie Williams Jr. as the city's representative to the local ITEP (Industrial Ad Valorem Tax Exemption Program) committee pursuant to Louisiana Administrative Code 13 section 5 49.

Votes at a glance (items summarized from meeting record): - Adoption of March 24 minutes: motion carried (recorded roll call: Eli —Yes; Nelson —Yes; Smith —Yes; Harrington —Yes). Outcome: approved. - Resolution declaring National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (Resolution 029 of 2025, as read): motion carried (recorded roll call: Eli Yes; Nelson Yes; Smith Yes; Harrington Yes; Peachy Yes). Outcome: approved. - Resolution proclaiming April as Child Abuse Prevention Month (Resolution 030 of 2025): motion carried (recorded roll call: Eli Yes; Nelson Yes; Smith Yes; Harrington Yes; Etienne Yes). Outcome: approved. - Resolution proclaiming April as Fair Housing Month (Resolution 031 of 2025): motion carried (recorded roll call: Eli Yes; Nelson Yes; Smith Yes; Harrington Yes; PT Yes). Outcome: approved. - Ordinance authorizing airport land lease to Elliott Properties (Ordinance 008 of 02/2025): motion carried (recorded roll call: Eli Yes; Nelson Yes; Smith Yes; Wellington/other Yes). Outcome: adopted. - Budget amendment (Ordinance 009 of 02/2025): amendment to correct totals passed (recorded roll call: Eli Yes; Nelson Yes; Smith Yes; Harrington Yes; Peachy Yes). Outcome: amendment approved. - Budget adoption (Ordinance 009 of 02/2025): motion to table final adoption passed (recorded roll call: Eli Yes; Nelson Yes; Smith Yes; Harrington Yes; Peachy Yes). Outcome: tabled to next meeting. - Change order for airport airfield signs/lights (Resolution 028 of 2025): motion carried (recorded roll call: Eli Yes; Nelson Yes; Smith Yes; Harrington Yes; PT Yes). Outcome: approved; city staff reported LADOTD covers the cost. - Resolution appointing the mayor to the local ITEP committee (Resolution 032 of 2025): motion carried (recorded roll call: Eli Yes; Nelson Yes; Smith Yes; Harrington Yes; PT Yes). Outcome: approved.

Several other ordinances were introduced for later consideration, including a rezoning request for a restaurant at 524 Front Street and ordinances addressing sale of adjudicated properties, Main Street reorganization, and street renamings. Those were introduced but not finally acted upon.

Council members and staff said they will publish any ordinance language changes and notices required by law before the next formal vote.