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DeSoto Parish approves 2025 budget, moves millions toward correctional facility and signs detention‑project contract
Summary
The DeSoto Parish Police Jury approved the 2025 budget, authorized transfers of $3 million toward a correctional‑facility sinking fund and approved a $535,250 professional‑services amendment for the detention project after discussion about plan changes and costs.
The DeSoto Parish Police Jury approved its 2025 budget and took a series of budget actions on Nov. 5, including reallocating funds toward a planned detention facility and authorizing an amended professional‑services agreement for design and contract administration work.
The jury voted to amend the 2024 budget and transfer $1,000,000 from solid‑waste tipping fees and $2,000,000 from the general fund and available fund balances into a sinking fund to support the correctional facility. Missus Simpson moved the budgeting amendment and the motion passed following a roll‑call vote.
The jury also authorized the administrator to sign a revised professional‑services agreement with Newman Marshy for services on the detention facility in the amount of $535,250. According to staff, that fee covers contract administration, plan modifications and resident project representative work tied to a change in project scope: the project was revised from a combined sheriff’s office and detention center to only the detention facility. During discussion, members asked whether modified plans had been reviewed and sought clarification on the reason for the cost change. Staff said the $535,250 reflects the estimated cost of modifications and that plan revisions were still being completed; the transcript records an incremental increase tied to plan changes of $1,222.50.
Treasurer 'Miss Lou' placed October revenues and expenditures on the record: the General Fund showed roughly $7,600,000 in revenues and $7,100,000 in expenses for the month, with the fund running at about 56% of budgeted expenditures year‑to‑date. The treasurer reported variable performance across enterprise and special funds and said outstanding reimbursements should clear shortfalls in the Office of Community Services fund.
What happens next: the detention‑facility professional‑services contract amendment was authorized so staff can proceed with contract administration and related tasks. The jury’s transfer to the sinking fund establishes dedicated funding for the correctional project; staff and the budget committee will incorporate the transfers into December financial reporting and next steps in project procurement.
Votes at a glance: the budget amendment and the $535,250 professional services amendment were approved during the Nov. 5 session.
