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Finance director outlines general fund and departmental changes; committee adds $100,000 to nuisance line for next year
Summary
Finance Director Erica Duplishan reviewed the general fund, noting a 5% budgeted increase and limited personnel changes, a proposed additional IT position and expanded travel/training. The committee agreed to review and carry a $100,000 nuisance allocation into 2026 and asked staff to reassess demolition funding and permits costs.
Finance Director Erica Duplishan presented the proposed general‑fund budget overview, saying the proposal includes a 5% built‑in increase with only one part‑time position added in the governing body. Duplishan highlighted higher advertising and publication costs, a temporary increase in maintenance subscription charges expected to hit in 2025, and larger travel and training lines to accommodate new staff.
Duplishan said she added an IT position to provide hardware and software support as the current IT employee approaches retirement; the added position increases insurance and personnel costs in that department. "We do feel like sometimes we need more of a hardware and a software person," Duplishan said, noting the ERP (Munis) rollout and council technology needs.
Permits and Inspections Chief Jimmy Landry (SEG 1039) described rising certified‑mail and newspaper costs for planning and zoning notices and discussed whether mailing costs can be passed to applicants or handled via application and administrative fees; staff acknowledged an application fee exists but said rising postage and advertising can exceed that fee in some cases.
On nuisance and demolition funding, members discussed enforcement costs and agreed staff should consider a recurring allocation; Duplishan noted $100,000 was placed in the nuisance line for the current year and staff will review the demolition line and nuisance programming ahead of the next meeting.
The meeting included brief comments about the RV Resort bond component and a suggestion to explore selling the Olive Iberia building if market conditions would cover outstanding debt, but members cautioned against offers that would leave the parish with unpaid debt service. No votes were taken at the informational session.
