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Fairgrounds events, public‑buildings upgrades and conservative royalty‑fund estimates discussed
Summary
Acadiana Fairgrounds plans two revenue events next year amid shrinking state revenue sharing; public‑buildings fund targets deferred‑maintenance spending (~$885,000), and finance staff said GOMESA receipts remain the principal source of royalty fund income with roughly $1 million potentially available for commitments.
Multiple smaller funds were reviewed during the finance committee meeting as staff summarized plans for the fairgrounds, public buildings, and the royalty (GOMESA) fund.
Courtney Boudreaux, Acadiana Fairgrounds manager, said the fairgrounds will host two ticketed events next year — a cook‑off and a lawn/tractor display — and that arena sign sponsorships have been solicited to improve appearance and revenue. "We're planning on putting on two events next year...and they'll pay an entry fee to get in," she said. Members expressed concern about reduced state revenue sharing and the facility’s bottom line.
Finance director Bridal Duplichan presented the public buildings fund, which the department characterized as largely focused on deferred maintenance. Duplichan said the department expects to spend about $885,000 on capital projects next year and corrected a typographical budget error for vehicle purchases (two maintenance trucks are budgeted at about $80,000 each, not $1.6 million). She also noted that buildings returning from the recreation department will increase the fund’s maintenance obligations until final transactions are complete.
On the royalty fund, staff said the primary receipts are GOMESA funds and that unobligated balances are limited; Duplichan estimated roughly $1,000,000 in available funds but noted some funds are committed for engineering and match costs. Committee members discussed using royalty funds for match and engineering phases tied to CPRA/CBRA projects on Delkham Canal and other coastal priorities.
No formal votes were recorded on these items; staff said additional details would be provided as transactions and grant matches proceed.
