Crowley council adopts two fiscal-year budgets, approves parks payment, concessions contract and city inspector appointment

The Crowley City Council on Aug. 12 adopted two ordinances finalizing the city—s operating budgets for the fiscal year ending Aug. 31, 2025, and for the fiscal year beginning Sept. 1, 2025, and ending Aug. 31, 2026. The council also approved a partial construction payment for the urban park and pavilion project, awarded a one-year concessions contract for the city sports complex, confirmed three 2025 beer-and-liquor permits, and approved the appointment of a new city inspector.

The budgets were the meeting—s central votes. Ordinance 15-50 (amending and finalizing the FY 2024–25 budget) was offered by Alderwoman Sandra Marks and seconded by Alderman Byron Wilridge and carried on a roll-call vote in which all recorded members voted yes. Ordinance 15-51 (adoption of the FY 2025–26 budget) was offered by Alderman Jeff Coors and seconded by Marks and likewise passed by roll call.

Why it matters: the budget votes set the city—s revenue and spending plan and were accompanied by extended council discussion about the city—s financial resilience, reserves and neighborhood blight. Several council members and the mayor cited concerns about rising poverty and the need to build reserves to avoid repeated reliance on one-time federal aid.

During discussion before the budget vote, Mayor Mossell and council members said cleaning up blighted properties and enforcing code were part of the strategy to increase the city—s appeal to businesses and boost tax revenues. The mayor reported that, as of Aug.…