Photograph: Coby Clavier (left) is Parish Council vice-chairman for 2023. Jerry Red Jr. is chairman this year. (Photograph by Bobby Ardoin)
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
After a pair of close elections Jerry Red Jr. and Coby Clavier will control the gavels at regular St. Landry Parish Council meetings in 2023.
Red who presides as chairman and Clavier, the vice-chairman, each were selected for their positions following 7-6 votes.
The two council members are also scheduled to undergo reelection with the other 11 council members this year and preside over a Council that has a number of pending issues to consider.
Nancy Carriere and Red were the Council choices for chairman. Clavier and Vivian Olivier competed for vice chairman.
The chairman position is the fourth for Red, who has been a council member for 16 years.
Clavier has previously served as vice-chairman two years ago.
Red said the main issue confronting the Council is settling several parishwide voter issues that have plagued St. Landry for the last two years.
Deciding on the number of precincts and polling places is an issue that remains almost parishwide despite the efforts of the Council to rectify the matter.
In the November election some voters were unable to cast ballots due to voting machine lockouts, according to complaints.
“The main issue right now is with the precincts. We want the voters to know where they are going to go, where the polls are and to make sure there are no more lockouts,” said Red.
Red said is displeased with the inability of the Council to approve an operating budget for 2023 and amend the 2022 budget.
“What we are going to push for this year is to have a budget that is ready for review and introduction by September. We need to have the budget given to us in a timely manner so that we can deal with it,” said Red.
Red said the Council is currently not operating with a 2023 budget.
Normally the Council approves a general fund budget that is in place each Jan. 1.
Also Red said he plans to convene a special meeting this week in order to discuss the budget.
Council budgets are usually introduced by ordinance. Approval of budgets are presented at a subsequent meeting. The adoption process is preceded by a public hearing.
