Terrebonne Parish previews 2026 budget, council debates targeted raises and $8 million CDBG program‑income transfer

At a combined Parish Finance/Finance Committee session in October 2025, parish budget staff presented high‑level numbers for the proposed 2026 general fund and answered council questions about departmental line items and raises.

Budget presenter Candice told members proposed 2026 general‑fund revenues are about 23,900,000, proposed expenditures about 18,200,000, proposed transfers in 6,000,000, proposed transfers out '10.2' (not fully specified on the record) and a proposed ending balance of about 5,300,000. She said the ending balance target is intended to keep roughly one month to one and a half months of expenditures in reserve. Candice explained that some departments can show net decreases even while providing pay increases to select employees because positions were eliminated or reallocated elsewhere in departmental budgets.

Council members questioned the optics and fairness of targeted raises. "If we can't give a cost‑of‑living raise across the board ... I don't think we should be giving individual raises to select groups," one member said; another warned that one‑time savings used for raises could create recurring costs. Candice and other administration speakers said many raises are one‑time adjustments or reclassifications and that departments found internal savings to absorb increases.

Housing and Human Services Director Kelly Vornado told the council the Office of Community Development is closing out a Gustaf Ike disaster grant and has offered the parish an allocation of approximately $8,000,000 in program income to add to the parish's CDBG grant. "It's actually 8,000,000," Kelly said. She said CDBG program income may be used for infrastructure, drainage and demolition work but not for maintenance or (in this transcript excerpt) direct housing uses; the parish will present details when funds become accessible (staff said funds should be available around Nov. 1 and that council will be asked to place the money into the budget via a future amendment).

Members requested follow‑up items including a list of beneficiaries of a South Louisiana Legal Services contract (legal assistance to low‑income persons) and a detailed breakout of the $60,000 discretionary parish‑president spending. Candice indicated the detailed 'pretty book' contains line‑item data and that additional documentation would be provided.

Next budget hearings were announced on the record as Oct. 13 (this meeting), Oct. 27, Nov. 3 and Nov. 17, followed by public hearings. Council members were encouraged to review the materials and prepare specific amendment motions for subsequent meetings.