Board Approves Street Project Contract
BOBBY ARDOIN
St. Landry Now.com Editor
(Photo By Bobby Ardoin)
The Opelousas Board of Aldermen awarded on Tuesday night a $2.249 million contract to begin construction on a citywide street improvement contract, while postponing a decision that could change the monthly meeting times to accommodate more community participation at meetings.
City engineer William Jarrell III told the Board that actual street repairs on several major roadways probably won’t begin until January.
However, Jarrell added that work on utility lines and water connections will proceed the actual construction phase that uses state funding.
The project will include major a major portion of West Grolee Street, Beverly and Abdalla boulevards in the Park Vista subdivision, Park Avenue heading east from Bullard Street, and an area of Perry Lane that connects with Waillor Street, Jarrell said after the meeting.
Later Meeting Times?
The Board agreed unanimously to defer any decision on amending a city ordinance that would start meetings at 5:30 pm.
Alderwoman Chasity Davis-Warren suggested it would be more prudent to wait until the results of the December runoff election are complete before making any decision to change the times of meetings.
The meeting ordinance was introduced last month by alderwoman Delita Broussard. On Wednesday night the Board held a public hearing on the ordinance proposal by Broussard.
Monthly meetings by the Board were held at 4 pm until 2011 when the Board decided to set the time back to the current 5 pm starting time.
Broussard told the Board on Tuesday night that starting meetings at a later time might make it more convenient for people who are still working at 5 pm.
Finance Report
City treasurer Lawanda St. Ann delivered the October financial report which shows a general fund deficit of $296,610.
The report did not indicate why the city showed an operating deficit.
St. Ann pointed out that both the water and sewer departments continued to show monthly profits.
Since Sept. 1 when the 2026-27 fiscal year began, the city has shown an overall net loss of $330,388, said Sr. Ann.
October monthly sales tax revenues netted $1.11 million, which is a 4.91 percent increase over the same month in 2025, St. And said.
