The Assumption Parish Police Jury on Nov. 25 approved amended budgets for 2025 and voted to publish proposed 2026 budgets and call a public hearing after finance staff warned the parish faces a reduced ending fund balance that will not sustain current services.

Finance staff presented line‑by‑line amended numbers for 2025 across the general fund and dozens of special funds, then outlined the proposed 2026 totals. The parish's estimated ending general‑fund balance for 2026 was presented at about $837,708, and jurors were told the parish will need to explore both revenue increases and spending reductions to avoid deeper cuts to services.

Why it matters: jurors said the parish must weigh cuts and new revenue sources soon. Discussion ranged from enforcing occupational licenses and pursuing permits to meeting with the sheriff about jail costs and exploring state or local options such as ATAX or bonding to support major expenses.

Key facts and votes: the jury approved the 2025 amended budgets and voted to publish and call for public comment on the 2026 proposed budgets. Staff read totals for numerous funds, including the general fund and the 1% sales‑tax fund, and explained transfers between funds. Jurors discussed multi‑year capital projects and grants (CDBG disaster recovery line items, Bayou Saint Vincent project budget, American Rescue Plan allocations) and confirmed several project transfers and allocations approved earlier in committee sessions.

'We cannot operate on a fund balance of $837,000,' a juror cautioned during the discussion about 2026, prompting calls to examine both revenues and service levels. Jurors suggested pursuing occupational‑license enforcement, meeting with the sheriff about expenses tied to inmate housing, and considering targeted revenue measures; one juror also urged exploring state grant matches such as Lidocore for DRA/EDA applications.

Votes at a glance (select items recorded during the meeting):
- Approved amended 2025 budgets and to publish proposed 2026 budgets and call a public hearing (motion carried).
- Approved multiple drainage allocations previously recommended by the Drainage Committee (including $1,000 to projects 93217/93218/93219 and ~$9,500 to Belt Road drainage).
- Authorized transfers and project re‑allocations in engineering committee (including transferring $16,825 from Bertrandville to Joe Lamar project).

What comes next: the parish will publish the proposed 2026 budgets for public review and hold a public hearing. Staff were directed to prepare additional revenue and expenditure options and to schedule a meeting with the sheriff to clarify jail‑related costs and revenue shortfalls. The parish also asked staff to provide more detailed numbers on proposed camera/key‑fob procurement for parish vehicles before taking action.