Harahan — The Harahan City Council voted Dec. 18 to adopt an amended 2026 budget after a lengthy session that produced multiple line‑item changes and public exchanges over the senior center contract, capital projects and a planned fire apparatus purchase. The ordinance passed 5–1.

The council’s action folded together several earlier amendments: adjustments to the city’s 2025 amended budget columns, a clarified allocation for senior‑center expenses, an increased recreation grant appropriation tied to a proposed Sonyat playground replacement, and a capital‑fund entry for a new rescue/pumper fire apparatus.

Why it mattered: Council members said the changes were necessary to balance projected revenues and preserve capacity for capital spending next year. Finance staff and councilors repeatedly said they trimmed and reallocated departmental budgets — including non‑departmental insurance and regulatory positions — to move a projected general‑fund shortfall (originally several hundred thousand dollars) to a modest surplus position going into 2026.

Senior center contract and insurance: A major portion of the debate focused on Harahan Senior Center Inc., which has a standing agreement with the city for up to $40,000 annually to cover select operating expenses. Council members and senior‑center representatives disagreed about whether building insurance was included in that $40,000. Senior‑center volunteers and directors said prior discussions intended the city to cover building insurance; council members said the written contract must be interpreted and budgeted correctly.

Action taken: Council added a new senior‑center insurance line of $15,315 and reallocated other line items (senior events, building maintenance) so the center’s adopted 2026 budget totaled $55,000 in aggregate when the insurance line is included. Council also recorded a companion reduction in the city’s non‑departmental insurance line to offset the change.

Capital and grants: Council increased expected recreation grant revenue to reflect a $610,000 state appropriation for the Sonyat playground project and placed matching capital outlay lines in the capital fund. Councilors discussed project scope (shaded, accessible playset and surfacing) and confirmed they would finalize plans and vendor quotes before construction.

Fire apparatus: Council appropriated a placeholder in the fire sales tax fund for a new rescue/pumper truck in the $1.37M–$1.4M range. Members debated whether to prepay (to capture a discount) or finance the vehicle and discussed risks from long lead times (manufacturers cited 36–48 months). The budget includes the appropriation so the city will be able to move quickly when procurement and contract terms are finalized; councilors asked the mayor and fire leadership to involve council members before executing any multi‑year prepayment arrangement.

Other changes and process notes: Council approved a mix of staffing and non‑staffing reductions (including adjustments to HR contract services and regulatory payroll lines), moved a projected $100,000 in court‑fines revenue into a dedicated transfer to capital, and discussed the need for clearer contract language and consistent line‑item attribution across departments. Finance staff said they will publish a clean, final budget document early next week reflecting all tonight’s amendments.

Votes and next steps: The amended 2026 budget passed 5–1. Council members said they expect follow‑up agenda items early next year to: (1) refine the senior‑center contract language to reflect the agreed insurance treatment; (2) approve any procurement or contract for the fire apparatus after staff and council negotiations; and (3) present final playground design and procurement documents once quotes are complete.

Attribution: Finance Director Todd Turnio/Turneyon presented the worksheet and numbers during the discussion. Council members who took leading roles in the amendment process included Councilman Asbell, Councilman Buddy and Councilman Chatelaine. Senior‑center representatives addressing the council included Sandy Lamont and Carol Barker LaGreco.

The council adjourned after noting bills paid for November and closing holiday remarks.