Finance director reports September closes, flags FEMA reimbursement gap and budget outlook

Todd Turnyon, Harahan's finance director, told the council on Oct. 16 that the city's books were substantially closed through Sept. 30 and that staff will prepare revised budget projections for early November to guide amendment of the 2025 budget. He said he will meet with department heads and the mayor to propose amendments before year-end.

Turnyon and council members discussed the city's FEMA-related accounting. The finance director and others described the FEMA tracking fund as carrying a negative balance (reported in discussion as roughly $900,000 to $950,000). Council members and staff explained the shortfall reflects several factors: FEMA reimbursements that exclude insurance proceeds, FEMA depreciation rules for replacement equipment, and federal rules that pay a fixed rate for certain overtime or emergency costs (which can differ from the city's actual costs). The council discussed possible ways to reconcile the differences, including reallocating insurance proceeds from capital accounts if appropriate.

Turnyon said he expects a draft update of budget projections in early November and will coordinate special budget meetings so the council can consider amendments before year-end. Council members noted a projected multi-hundred-thousand-dollar deficit in the coming year and said department heads will present requests in the coming weeks.

The finance director also reported the sewer fund is being managed with matches in mind and staff expects to continue working on reimbursements for past capital expenditures.