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Cameron Parish Police Jury reviews 2026 budget, flags low fund balances and Hurricane Laura shortfalls
Summary
At an Oct. 14 budget meeting, Cameron Parish officials reviewed projected 2026 fund balances, noted insurance and FEMA reimbursements remain slow after Hurricane Laura, and discussed allocations including a $2 million Grand Lake set‑aside and a $100,000 Jeff Davis Water allocation.
Cameron Parish Police Jury members held a budget meeting Oct. 14 to review the 2026 proposed budget and a detailed line‑item packet, where staff reported a projected general fund ending balance of $2,413,000 and multiple special‑revenue fund balances. Staff said specific funds include road and bridge ($3,177,000), courthouse and jail ($1,638,000), the health unit ($1,547,000), the parish garbage fund ($6,761,000) and a remaining Hurricane Laura award fund of about $140,000 pending auditor adjustments.
During the presentation, staff clarified that the $2,132,000 figure listed as budgeted ad valorem tax revenue differs from cash on hand; to date the parish has received $2,029,711. Members confirmed a $2,000,000 expenditure line in next year’s budget earmarked for Grand Lake and a $100,000 allocation for Jeff Davis Water; staff said the Grand Lake amount is recorded as an expenditure assignment rather than new tax revenue.
Jurors and staff repeatedly cited slow insurance settlements and FEMA reimbursements as a principal reason fund balances have declined since 2020. One member noted the parish used its cash reserves to repair buildings after Hurricane Laura and that only a fraction of expected insurance proceeds has been received; FEMA reimbursements were described as “trickling in.”
The jury discussed line‑item details including a proposed $150,000 professional‑services budget for temporary inspection services (staff said current per‑inspection fees will continue, and third‑party inspectors will take field inspection assignments while the parish retains permit records). Members also debated equipment procurement versus leasing for road and maintenance operations, with several saying repair costs and in‑house maintenance make leasing less attractive.
Other operational items covered: recreation and boat‑launch funding, planned bids for pre‑engineered metal fire‑station buildings (members asked staff to advertise and solicit bids and noted foundation and wind‑rating requirements), and preparations to auction a parcel on Jimmy Savoy Road. Staff said they will update year‑to‑date columns before a follow‑up budget meeting and recommended the board advertise any ordinance changes (such as office hours) prior to formal adoption.
The meeting closed with members scheduling a follow‑up budget meeting to refine numbers and including an executive session for personnel evaluations ahead of the anticipated December budget adoption.
