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Plain Dealing council adopts amended 2024 budget, approves 2025 budget and utility ordinances; water-rate hearing set
Summary
At its April 8 meeting the Town of Plain Dealing council adopted amendments to the 2024 operating budget, approved the 2025 operating budget, and passed two utility-related ordinances including a theft-of-service measure; the council introduced a water-rate ordinance and set a public hearing for April 17.
The Town of Plain Dealing council adopted an amendment to the 2024 operating budget, approved the town's 2025 operating budget and passed two utility-related ordinances during its April 8 meeting at the Leon Sanders Jr. Municipal Complex.
The actions were unanimous among the four members present. Mayor James Cook opened public hearings where required and council votes followed motions by members during the meeting.
Why it matters: The budget votes set spending and revenue priorities for the town for the current and prior fiscal years. The new utility ordinances update meter rules and create a theft-of-service offense, changes that affect how the town manages water service and enforces unauthorized use.
The meeting record shows the board adopted Ordinance 13 of 2024, an amendment to Ordinance 3 of 2024 (the town's 2024 operating budget), after a public hearing with no public comment. Alderman Jeff Benson moved to adopt and Alderman Louis Welch seconded; all four members voted in favor.
The council then held a public hearing on Ordinance 2 of 2025, the operating budget for the fiscal year beginning Jan. 1, 2025. Alderman Jeff Benson moved to adopt the 2025 operating budget; Alderman Louis Welch seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
The board also held a public hearing and adopted Ordinance 3 of 2025, an amendment to Chapter 30 (Utilities) to add Article IV on meters. The new provisions address new meter sets, installation fees, maintenance and replacement, interference with meter reading, submetering and re-selling of water, and approval requirements for meters. There was one public comment during the hearing, and Alderman Shavonda Gay asked the town attorney to clarify the provision on re-selling water. Attorney Dominick illustrated the concern with an example of "running a hose from one place to another to obtain water use." The ordinance passed on a motion by Alderman Jeff Benson, seconded by Alderman Louis Welch, with all members present voting yes.
Separately, the council adopted Ordinance 4 of 2025 to add Section 20.5 to Chapter 20, creating an offense for theft of utility service. The adoption occurred after a public hearing with no comments; Jeff Benson moved for adoption, Louis Welch seconded, and the vote was unanimous.
On procedural matters, the council voted to retain the Bossier Press-Tribune as the town's official journal under La. R.S. 42:141 (motion by Jeff Benson, second by Emily Jennings), also by unanimous vote.
What comes next: The council introduced Ordinance 6 of 2025, an amendment to water and sewer rates (Ordinance 5 of 2025), and scheduled a public hearing and potential adoption at a special meeting on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at Town Hall.
