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Plaquemine board adopts new $30,000 invoice-approval policy; mayor breaks tie
Summary
The Plaquemine Mayor and Board of Selectmen adopted a policy requiring board approval of invoices over $30,000 not previously budgeted and formalized monthly reporting and review procedures; the vote was tied before Mayor John “JB” Barker cast the tiebreaking vote in favor.
The Mayor and Board of Selectmen of the City of Plaquemine adopted a policy on Feb. 10, 2026, requiring board approval for any invoice of $30,000 or more that was not previously budgeted and establishing monthly reporting procedures for accounts payable. Selectman Thomas D. LeBlanc moved the measure; Selectman Shannon P. Courtade seconded, and the motion passed after Mayor John “JB” Barker cast the tiebreaking vote.
The new policy requires the Finance Department to prepare and email a monthly report on the first business day after the close of each month. For invoices over $30,000 not previously budgeted, the report must include vendor name, invoice number, date and amount; for routine acknowledged payments it must also include posting date, check number and check date. The Finance Director is required to present invoices exceeding $30,000 not previously budgeted to the board for review and approval before payment, and approvals must be documented in meeting minutes. The board will also formally acknowledge routine monthly payments (payroll, insurance, LEPA and similar recurring expenses).
A substitute motion to delay the item and return it in written form was offered by Selectwoman Natasha S. Johnson and seconded by Selectwoman Wanda B. Jones but failed (Yeas: Wanda B. Jones, Natasha S. Johnson; Nays: Michael K. Carlin, Sr., Thomas D. LeBlanc, Shannon P. Courtade, Brent Barbier). The principal motion then passed when the initial vote resulted in a 3–3 split and Mayor Barker voted to break the tie in the affirmative. The board’s adoption establishes the reporting format, approval threshold and a process for members to request further documentation from the Finance Office.
The measure was presented and debated during the regular meeting; the minutes record that the change is effective immediately as confirmed during the meeting. The policy text included language stating the purpose as “to ensure financial transparency, accountability, and proper oversight of significant expenditures,” and enumerated steps for report presentation and review. The board did not specify an immediate source of funding for any invoices referenced in the policy discussion.
Next steps: the Finance Department will prepare the monthly report required by the policy; board members were encouraged to submit questions about routine invoices to the Finance Director prior to meetings and may request to review specific invoices in person at the Finance Office.
