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Council probes Leo Butler overspending tied to expanded homeless feeding program and opioid funds
Summary
Council members raised concerns that the Leo Butler community center exceeded its budget largely because an ARP‑funded homeless feeding program expanded to about 100 people daily; members and staff discussed opioid‑fund distribution, consultant training and corrective controls.
Council members spent a portion of the hearing pressing finance and administration about overspending at community centers, most prominently the Leo Butler Center.
Councilman Hurst said the center’s homeless feeding program, initially funded through ARP, had grown from serving 20–30 people to about 100 people per day and that other services (showers, laundry) accompanied the feeding program, producing significant expense. "This is a homeless feeding program that was allocated through ARP funds that went from 20 to 30 people being fed per day to a 100 people being fed," Hurst said. He also recounted a recent overdose at the center and urged local opioid dollars be focused on parish programs.
Christel (city/parish staff) and a contracted reviewer were cited as working with community centers to provide budgeting and controls. A consultant identified in the hearing (Tyra Banks) reportedly prepared a report and recommended finance training for community‑center staff and improved real‑time revenue visibility; finance said third‑party funding was brought in to support the program for the remainder of the year and that the overage appears primarily attributable to the feeding program.
Council members requested additional oversight and clearer lines of accountability for community centers, and invited administration follow‑up about reimbursements for services provided during the Saint George transition and how overages will be covered in the 2026 appropriations.
