SLP Government Meeting Agenda

ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2025 @ 6:00 P.M.
OLD CITY MARKET, 131 W. BELLEVUE ST.
OPELOUSAS, LOUISIANA

I. CALL TO ORDER
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & INVOCATION (Councilman Faltery Jolivette)
III. ROLL CALL
IV. CONDOLENCES
V. PERSONS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL
VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
 Regular Meeting: January 15th
, 2025
 Special Meeting: February 5th, 2025
VII. PARISH PRESIDENT’S REPORT
VIII. NEW BUSINESS:

*Items passed through committee.

Authorize the Preliminary and final approval for proposed residential subdivision of a
28.859 tract of land being portioned as lots 1-25 located in Section 52, Township 8 South,
Range 4 East off Begneaud and T-Joe Road, Opelousas, LA St. Landry Parish.
Authorize the Approval of a 255′ SST Cellular Tower and install AT&T ground
equipment WUC and Cellular Antennas located at 222 Elzay Road, Arnaudville La
70512.
Vote to appoint Tracey Antee for one appointment to the St. Landry Parish Tourist
Commission for a three-year term. (02-19-2022 – 02-19-2025).
Authorize to advertise for one appointment to the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission
for a three-year term. (02-19-2022 – 02-19-2025).
Authorize the Parish President to sign the Lease with Acadian Ambulance for the lease of
a building that is owned by Parish Government for the amount of $250.00 per month.
Authorize the Parish President to sign the Lease of Immovable Property by St. Landry
Parish Government to Acadian Ambulance Service, Inc.
Authorize the Parish President to sign the Lease of Immovable Property by St. Landry
Parish Government to Allegiance Health Management, Inc. dba Acadian Medical Center.
Clerk of Court request.
Authorize Legal Counsel Garett Duplechain to create an Ordinance to donate Parish
Adjudicated Property at the Corner of Pernie Bailey Road and HWY 190 to District 6
Public Works Commission.
Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for five appointments to the St. Landry Parish
Waterworks District No. 5 for a three-year term. (4-21-2025 -04-21-2028).
Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for two appointments to Ward Two Gravity
Drainage District No. 1 for a four-year term. (04-19-2025 – 04-19-2029).

Vote to appoint Michael Kidder for one appointment to Ward 3 Consolidated Gravity
Drainage District No. 1 for the remainder of a four-year term.(12-21-2024 – 12-21-2028).
Authorize the Council Clerk to send a certified letter to Joseph Hayes III and
Elizabeth Jones advising them to come and address the council regarding debris removal
on the property located at 190 Veterans Drive Opelousas, LA 70570.
Parcel No. 0105083000.
Authorize the Council Clerk to send a certified letter to Johnny Johnson and
Audria Johnson advising them to come and address the council regarding debris removal
on the property located at 154 Tesson Street Opelousas, LA 70570.
Parcel No. 0104946000.

IX. ORDINANCES TO BE INTRODUCED:

ORDINANCE NO. 2025- 004

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ST. LANDRY PARISH CODE OF ORDINANCES SECTION
44-3 TO HAVE A SPEED LIMIT OF 20 MPH FOR COMPRESS ROAD IN FRONT OF THE
SCHOOL, AND THE SPEED LIMIT OF 20 MPH SHALL ALSO BE IMPOSED FOR FIVE
HUNDRD FEET FROM THE PROPERTY LINE OF THE SCHOOL IN BOTH DIRECTIONS

ORDINANCE NO. 2025-005

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 26-47 IN ARTICLE III .- JUNKED MOTOR
VEHICLES OR ABANDONED MOTOR VEHICLES, IN CHAPTER 26 OF THE
ST. LANDRY PARISH CODE OF ORDINANCES TO INCLUDE OLD AND NEW TIRES
IN THE DEFINITION OF JUNKED ITEMS

X. ORDINANCES TO BE ADOPTED:

ORDINANCE NO. 2025-001
(Sponsored by Councilman Wayne Ardoin)

AN ORDINANCE TO REQUIRE THE PAYMENT IN FULL OF ANY AND ALL
ST. LANDRY PARISH GOVERNMENT LIENS ON ADJUDICATED PROPERTY
WHEN THETAXDEBTOR ISMAKINGPAYMENTTOTHETAXCOLLECTORTO
REDEEM THEIR PROPERTY
WHEREAS, the St. Landry Parish Code Sections 2-289, 2-290, and 2-291 provide for the
redemption of adjudicated properties.
WHEREAS, Louisiana Revised Statute Section 47:2243 provides, “Redemptions shall be
made through the tax collector of the appropriate political subdivision…. Payment shall
include all statutory impositions accruing before the date of payment with five percent
penalty and simple interest accruing at one percent per month, as well as all other sums
required to be paid pursuant to this Subpart;”
WHEREAS, Louisiana Revised Statute Section 47:2244 provides, “Payment also shall
include the actual costs incurred by the political subdivision for preparation and filing of
redemption certificates, the cost of mail, notice, publication of notice, personal service of
notice, appraisal, and costs associated with the determination of tax sale parties and their
notification. However, the actual cost of preparation and filing of redemption certificates
shall not exceed two hundred dollars. The political subdivision may also require the
payment of all amounts accrued under other governmental liens as of the date of payment;”
WHEREAS, the St. Landry Parish Government has incurred and continues to incur costs
related to adjudicated properties, for which governmental liens are filed and recorded on
the property;

WHEREAS, St. Landry Parish properties have been redeemed, and redemption certificates
have been issued, without amounts being paid to satisfy the recorded governmental liens;
and,
WHEREAS, the St. Landry Parish Government wishes to ensure and mandate that
adjudicated properties in St. Landry Parish can only be redeemed, and redemption
certificates can only be issued, after St. Landry Parish Government certifies that a sufficient
amount has been paid to satisfy its governmental liens.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH GOVERNMENT
THAT the following Ordinance mandates and requires that adjudicated properties in St.
Landry Parish only be redeemed, and redemption certificates only be issued, after the
St. Landry Parish Government certifies that a sufficient amount has been paid to satisfy
any governmental liens the St. Landry Parish Government has filed and recorded on the
property.

In accordance with La. R.S. 47:2244, before any adjudicated property may be
redeemed or a redemption certificate be issued, the St. Landry Parish Government
requires the payment and satisfaction of all amounts accrued under liens filed by the St.
Landry Parish Government on the adjudicated property.
The Tax Collector for St. Landry Parish shall not redeem any adjudicated property and
shall not issue any redemption certificate unless a St. Landry Parish Government Lien
Satisfaction Certificate is submitted with the payment of redemption costs.
The St. Landry Parish Government Lien Satisfaction Certificate must identify the
adjudicated property being redeemed, and must have a date of issuance within
fourteen (14) days of redemption of the adjudicated property.
Payment for the St. Landry Parish Government Lien Satisfaction Certificate shall
include the costs incurred by the St. Landry Parish Government preparing, filing, and
cancelling the lien, as well as an administrative cost of no more than one hundred dollars.
The St. Landry Parish Government Lien Satisfaction Certificate shall certify only that
liens of the St. Landry Parish Government have been satisfied, and shall not be used
as a certification that liensfiled by any other individual or entity have been satisfied,
or that the property is free and clear of liens.

ORDINANCE NO. 2025-002
(Sponsored by Councilwoman Mildred Thierry)

AN ORDINANCE TO SELL PROPERTIES THAT HAVE BEEN ADJUDICATED TO
ST. LANDRY PARISH GOVERNMENT
WHEREAS, Louisiana Revised Statutes 47:2201, 47:2202, 47:2203 and 47:2204
provide that a political subdivision may provide by ordinance for the sale of adjudicated property
at a public sale.
WHEREAS, the St. Landry Parish Government shall offer for sale the following
adjudicated properties with a minimum bid of $500.00 and/or any specified amount due to
St. Landry Parish Government in reference to any liens, judgments, mortgages, and/or
encumbrances that may be on each adjudicated property as follows.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL FOR ST. LANDRY PARISH GOVERNMENT
that the following adjudicated properties shall be offered for sale at public sale and there
shall be a minimum bid of $500.00 and/or any specified amount due to St. Landry Parish
Government in reference to any liens, judgments, mortgages, and/or encumbrances that
may be on each of the following adjudicated properties:

PARCEL # PHYSICAL ADDRESS PROPERTY OWNER
01 0104312450 HWY 3043 / DARJEAN ST ROY DAVE
1 LOT (5.911 AC) TRACT 4 N DARGIN SUBDIV S SONNIER & LEGER E
SONNIER W DAVE IN
SEC 7 T-6S R-4E 826503 (T-36-884)
02 8600006500 620 PEARL STREET MR & MRS W J ACHTEN
1 LOT BEING 1/2 ARPENT SW CORNER OF LOT 2 (FRONTING 105′ ON
PEARL ST)
BLK B GOURNAY PARK ADD 223290 1125431
03 8600512600 430 ACADIA STREET MARGIE DAVIS
1 LOT BEING PART OF LOT 4 (50X100) BLK 8 PIER ADD 971388 (O-42-731)
04 8600819500 BACCIOCHI STREET CLARENCE FRANK SR

1 LOT (100X150) FRONTING 100′ ON BACCI ST 584466 (O-19-797) 888969 (E-
39-254)

989358 (J-43-499)
05 8600830800 351 E. MAPLE AVE MITCHELL DAIRE
1 LOT 6 (50X140) BLK 1 MC MANUS ADD FRONTING 50′ ON MAPLE AVE
799613 (O-35-790) 1035709

06
8602492365 240 S CANE STREET (EUNICE) ORELIA GREEN
1 LOT 35 (40X110) PACIFIC SUB DIV 710828-A (D-28-329) 857552 (TAX 12-893)
07 8105228050 121 BOUDREAUX RD LINEST DOUCET
1 LOT N 100′ 82 (50X100) BOUDREAUX SUB DIV 581663 (K-19-571) 926849
(L-40-163)
08 8176075875 LEO STREET CANDACE CHACHERE EDWARDS
1 LOT (75X140) N LEO ST S E W CHACHERE FRONTING 75′ ON LEO ST IN
SEC 85 T-6S R-4E
884935 (A-39-934) 947218 (J-41-133)
09 8101749600 723 S OAK STREET JUDE MARTIN JONES ETALS
1 LOT (58X105) N ANSLEM S DUNBAR E LYONS W OAK ST FRONTING 58′
ON OAK ST
909390 (DON 72-670) 1025293
10 8105499800 CHEVIS RD CLARENCE JOSEPH MANUEL
1 LOT (58X105) N ANSLEM S DUNBAR E LYONS W OAK ST FRONTING 58′
ON OAK ST
909390 (DON 72-670) 1025293
11 8105676300 AUDREY STREET LINDA BELLARD MYERS
1 LOT 53 (50X105) PRESTON STELLY SUB DIV N LOT 52 S LOT 54 E
VENDOR W STELLEY ST
834674 (DON 63-850)
12 8600511800 350 MILL STREET JACKIE DICKEY
1 LOT BEING E/2 OF S/2 OF LOT 2 (50X100) BLK 10 PIERROTTI ADD
FRONTING 50′
ON MILL ST 1044499

13 8601225100 360 MILL STREET MELVIN & EMILY ALFRED HENRY
1 LOT BEING W/2 OF THE S/2 OF LOT 2 (50X100) BLK 10 PIERROTTI
ADDITION FRONTING
50′ ON MILL ST N N/2 OF LOT 2 S MILL ST E DAVILLE W LOT 1 1087540
14 8400204000 1ST STREET (MELVILLE) WILLIAM MCNEIL JR
2 LOTS 9 & 10 (48X120 EACH) BLK 47 KROTZ ADD 656243 (N-23-453) 1158792
15 8500436500 AVE A (EVANGELINE SUB) CLEOTIS & CLARA MALVEAUX
DAVIS

2 LOTS 237 & 238 (75X120 EACH) EVANGELINE SUB DIV 1 IN SEC 54 T-5S R-
4E 720012 (U-29-206)

16 8401136000 CHARLES ST (PALMETTO) GUS THOMAS JR
1 LOT 59 (120X100) HATFIELD ADD 618122 (L-21-327) 1001335
17 8604062800AD ST PATRICK AVE ERNEST BUFFORD JR
1 LOT 25 (100 X 255) (0.585AC) WESTGATE VILLAGE SUBDIV FRONTING
100′ ON ST PATICK AVE
IN SEC 15 & 16 T-6S R-3E 1062102
18 8400130515 167 MOREAU STREET JOHN HARRINGTON
1 LOT (150X400) N MURRAY S SANDERS E RIVER ROAD W LEVEE
FRONTING 150′ ON
WEST SIDE OF RIVER ROAD (MOREAU ST) 942393 (D-41-232) 1037633
1053644
19 8300823000F PRIVATE ROAD/ARNAUDVILLE JOHN ALLEN
FELIX
1 LOT (.573 AC) FRONTING 90′ ON RIGHT OF PASSAGE IN SEC 30 T-7S R-6E
1070777 PLAT 1125026 1142342
20 8301167500 NORTHWOOD ROAD MELVIN MAXWELL
2 LOTS 54 55 (108X179 EACH) NORTHWOOD ACRES SUB DIV 581102 (K-19-
15) 1001335
21 8300847000 NORTHWOOD ROAD W PAUL HAWLEY
2 LOTS 52 (110.86X169) & 53 (109.96X169) NORTHWOOD ACRES SUB DIV
581459 (K-19-405) 1071865
22 8201697000F SLEEPYHOLLOW LANE DANNY LEE BROUSSARD
1 LOT 46 (88.78X223.89) (.582 AC) COLLINS ROAD SUBDIV N SLEEPY
HOLLOW RD S BOUDREAUX E LOT 45 W LOT 47
IN SEC SEC 27 T-7S R-3E 1001812 1090981
(MH 16X80)
23 8200444400 LASTRAPES STREET LESTER CHARLOT
1 LOT 2 (50X150) SMITH SUB DIV N MITCHELL S WOODS E SMITH W
ALLEY
795392 (J-35-311) 1090981

24 0200064200 236 E MARTIN LUTHER KING MICHELLE LANDRY
PRUDHOMME
1 LOT 7 (50X150) N BELLEVUE ST S BERNARD E JOHNSON W LOT #9
BERNARD SUB DIV
1152513 1174394
25 8106015400 FREDDIE TAYLOR LANE PRESTON RICHARD JR,
ETALS
1 LOT 4 PLAT B (222.46X327.80) N LOT 5 S LOT 3 E LOT 9 W WILSON SEC 12
T-7S R-3E
756492 (G-33-184) 1001335
26 8103740170 OFF THOMAS AVE/PRIVATE RD LEATRICE CRETIEN
1 LOT 3-B STEPNEY PLAT (1 AC) IN SEC 45 & 46 T-5S R-3E 795392 (J-35-311)

27 8101062340 CLAUDE STREET VIVIAN NED BROWN
1 LOT 64 (50X100) J C DONATO SUB DIV 397715 (J-11-389) 874617 (TAX 13-
1656)
28 0101249400 631 W BERTHEAUD AVE CRYSTAL FRANK
2 LOTS BEING THE W 1′ LOT 9 (1X150) ALL LOT 10 (51X150) & E PART LOT
11 (13X150)
BLK 3 OAK PARK ADD N BERTHEAUD AVE S DUNBAR E LOT 9 W LOT 11
FRONTING 65′ ON
BERTHEAUD AVE 1019271
29 8500180300 421 POPLAR STREET KRANDALL PIJUE
1 LOT 6 (214X150) (.737 AC) MORE OR LESS IN SECS 70 & 85 T-5S R-4E
797224
(L-35-599) 891483 (G-39-205) 967422 (K-42-183) 1030975
30 8601116000 221 MATHILDA STREET GEORGE JACKSON
1 LOT 4 (50X122.5) BLK 6 FRISCO HEIGHT ADD 526675 1035606

31 8100649838 FREEDOM DRIVE VELTON DAVIS
1 LOT 7 (100 X 130) BLK 2 NORTH PARK ADD 843931 (TAX 12-328)

32 0641431862 130 GASPARD STREET (EUNICE) GASTON WOODS &
MARY THOMAS 1 LOT (50X84)
LEFT N JOHNSON S WOOD E GUILLORY W GASPARD ST 602311 (O-12-651)
939820 (A-41-349)

33 8101793000 1240 W. LANDRY STREET (OPEL) MARY JOUBERT
1 LOT (50X150) N LOFTON S LANDRY ST E TERRACINA W BERTINOT
FRONTING 50′ ON WEST LANDRY ST
729976 (DON 46-108) (LOT 8 BLK 12 W LANDRY ST

34 8102261300 910 W. LANDRY STREET HENRY MICHAEL MICHEL
1 LOT (43X87.2) N MANUEL S LANDRY ST E MANUEL W GATH FRONTING
43′ ON LANDRY ST
837655 (DON 64-335) 917828 (B-40-863) (LOT 6 BLK 9 W LANDRY ST

35 8102857500 923 JEFFERSON STREET MARY OTHERIE SAM
1 LOT 3 (48X149.4) BLK 1 ANDRUS SUB DIV 565435-B (M-18-558) 999533

XI. RESOLUTIONS TO BE ADOPTED:

RESOLUTION NO. 002-2025

A RESOLUTION REQUESTING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

FROM THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
UNDER THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

WHEREAS, the Louisiana Legislature has appropriated funding for the Fiscal

Year 2024-2025 Local Government Assistance Program (LGAP) Program; and

WHEREAS, the Local Government Assistance Program offers grants to
eligible municipalities and parishes for a wide range of projects to improve public health,
public safety, living conditions and for economic development purposes; and

WHEREAS, it is deemed necessary and proper to submit applications to the
Louisiana Office of Community Development under the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Local
Government Assistance Program

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the St. Landry Parish Council that
Parish President Jessie Bellard is hereby authorized to sign and submit an application to
the State of Louisiana, Office of Community Development under the Fiscal Year 2024-
2025 Local Government Assistance Program and also execute any and all documents
should this grant be funded;

THEREUPON, the above resolution was declared adopted.

RESOLUTION NO. 003-2025

WHEREAS, St. Landry Parish Government shall renew its’ lease with Louisiana
Agricultural Finance Authority, which is a state authority within the Louisiana
Department of Agriculture and Forestry, in order to continue leasing the property located
at 1638 Creswell Lane, Opelousas LA 70570.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the St. Landry Parish Council, that
St. Landry Parish Government will renew its’ lease with Louisiana Agricultural Finance
Authority, which is a state authority within the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and
Forestry, in order to lease 10,684 square feet on the north side of the property located
at 1638 Creswell Lane, Opelousas LA 70570;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, by the St. Landry Parish Council that St. Landry
Parish Government shall annually pay $6.51 per square foot for the 10,684 square foot
area being leased, which shall be paid at $5,796.07 per month;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, by the St. Landry Parish Council that the term
of said lease shall be for five years, and shall commence on February 1, 2025, and
shall end on January 31, 2030;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, by the St. Landry Parish Council, that St.
Landry Parish President Jessie Bellard is hereby authorized to sign said lease with
Louisiana Agricultural Finance Authority, which is a state authority within the Louisiana
Department of Agriculture and Forestry, and to sign any and all other documents
necessary to secure the lease which is authorized by this Resolution.

XII. COMMITTEE MINUTES:

ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 5th, 2025 @ 5:45 P.M.
OLD CITY MARKET, 131 W BELLEVUE ST
OPELOUSAS, LOUISIANA
MINUTES
I. This meeting was called to order by Chairman Jody White.
II. The Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation was said by Councilwoman Nancy Carriere.
III. Roll Call: PRESENT: Nancy Carriere, Faltery Jolivette, Mildred Thierry, Harold Taylor,
Ken Marks, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune,
Jimmie Edwards and Ernest Blanchard. Ex Officio: Jody White. ABSENT: None.
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT:
None.
V. ORDINANCES TO BE INTRODUCED:

ORDINANCE NO. 2025-003

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF NOT EXCEEDING
$2,000,000 REVENUE NOTES, SERIES 2025 (EQUIPMENT), OF THE ST. LANDRY
PARISH GOVERNMENT, STATE OF LOUISIANA; PROVIDING FOR THE
PAYMENT THEREOF; ESTABLISHING THE RATE OF INTEREST THEREON;
PROVIDING FOR A PLEDGE AND DEDICATION OF REVENUES FOR SECURITY
AND PAYMENT THEREOF IN PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST; AND OTHER
MATTERS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.
Councilman Timmy Lejeune questioned, “Do we need a sponsor?”
Chairman Jody White stated, “We need a Sponsor for this ordinance.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Nobody is going to sponsor this Ordinance.”
Councilman Wayne Ardoin stated, “Mr. Chairman, I have a question on this ordinance. This is
dealing only with equipment Mr. Bellard? You had some verbiage in the first Ordinance 003
about District 9 about the project.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Right, you all wanted that split up.”
Councilman Wayne Ardoin stated, “Where is the one with District 9? At first the verbiage had
District 9 in it.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “We are coming up with it next month.”
Councilman Wayne Ardoin stated, “You are coming up with it next month. So it is going to be
$2,000,000.00 or $2,500,000.00?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “That one will be $2,500,000.00.”
Councilman Wayne Ardoin stated, “That is what I thought, the original. At first you had them
both piggy-backed together and that is why I was asking Mr. LaFleur about the 003. So you are
going to come up with it next month.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Right.”
Councilman Wayne Ardoin stated, “This equipment that we have, how many pieces of
equipment are we talking about?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “You all have the list. I am not exactly sure of
everything.”
Councilman Wayne Ardoin stated, “I don’t have the list. I looked for it this evening. I don’t
know if Sherell have furnished it to me or your office have furnished it to me but would you give
us the list?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “It was e-mailed but I will give it to you all. I will get it
to you all.”
Councilman Wayne Ardoin stated, “Does it have to be done today or wail until you give us all
of the information?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “The Bond Commission already approved this through
the Resolution from last year so yes it needs to be introduced so we can move forward. I think
Dexter is the one who introduced it.”
Chairman Jody White stated, “I will recognize Mr. Brown when Mr. Wayne is through talking.”
Councilman Wayne Ardoin stated, “I am finished. The question was answered.”

Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “You will provide that information to us Mr. Bellard, on the
equipment.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Yes.”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “Okay, with that being said I will Sponsor it.”
Councilman Harold Taylor questioned, “Apparently this have changed since 24 hours ago when
Sherell sent me a copy of that Ordinance 2025-003 on yesterday because it included District 1
now it does not include District 1. Eric do you want to address this? Did you do this? That is
District 9, I am sorry. So this is really getting to be complicated gentlemen. We change our
mind so frequently. I only got this when I sat down tonight. How can we take action on
something that is brand spanking new? What happened?”
Mr. Eric LaFleur stated, “It was already introduced. I forgot the name of the taxing district in
District 9 has different numbers.”
Councilman Wayne Ardoin stated, “It is Fund 042. It is Road District 1 of 11-A.”
Mr. Eric LaFleur stated, “It is District 1 of 11-A.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Yes, 1 of 11-A, correct. Not Road District 1.”
Mr. Eric LaFleur stated, “Right, so it is confusing to us. It is intended and if it does not say
exactly what it said before it is intended for:
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “Equipment, the Equipment, correct?”
Mr. Eric LaFleur stated, “Wait a minute, I thought you all were going back on the road, on the
road overlay.”
Councilman Wayne Ardoin stated, “The Road overlay he is stating is going to come up next
month and it is going to be $2,500,000.00.”
Mr. Eric LaFleur stated, “Right exactly. So this is just about the purchase of equipment.”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “So he is going to get the information on the equipment that
we are talking about and this is leased equipment I assume is that correct?”
Mr. Eric LaFleur stated, “It is going to replace leased equipment.”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “Replace leased equipment.”
Mr. Eric LaFleur stated, “That is one of the savings that is built into the budget.”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “And the money will come out of Road District 1?”
Mr. Eric LaFleur stated, “No it is coming out of the dedicated fund that is used for the purchase
of equipment.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Fund 21.”
Councilman Harold Taylor state, “It says Road District 1. It says Road and Bridge Road
District 1 Fund. Road District 1 is the Smooth Ride Home. You can’t do it out of there, the
proposition is clear on that. That is what the people voted on 2% sales tax to improve roads not
to buy equipment.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “That is not being used for that. It is Fund 21, Road and
Bride Fund is what is paying for it.”
Mr. Eric LaFleur stated, “Mr. Taylor, I am looking at it and it looks like that line is from the
next ordinance and it not going to be introduced for a month or two. The fund that is securing

the debt for the construction is the Construction Dedicated Fund for construction equipment. I
am telling you it is on the public record.”
Councilman Harold Taylor questioned, “Okay, do we have such a fund?”
Mr. Eric LaFleur stated, “Yes, I don’t know all of the numbers because you all have quite a few
funds.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “To keep this simple tonight Dexter introduced the 2025-
003 Ordinance for equipment that is being paid out of Fund 21.”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “The Road and Bride Fund.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “The road stuff will not be discuss because it is not even
on here.”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “That is the road and Bridge Fund, correct?”
Councilman Wayne Ardoin stated, “Correct, 21 is the Road and Bridge Fund.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “Mr. President on this leased equipment can you help me
understand the reasoning. Are we paying the leases out? I don’t understand the transaction.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “The leases as they sit now, if you lease this equipment
at the end of the time you don’t own them.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “That is correct.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Where before when we leased equipment you would
lease it and you would pay sometimes $2,700.00 a month and now it is like $7,000.00. So in
essence you are buying the equipment without buying the equipment by leasing. Whenever all
of that stuff changed around that is why we looked at this where we will just buy it and own it
instead of leasing it and never owning it. So that is why we are doing it.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “Right, okay that makes sense. That is what I did not know.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “That is our main reason for it. Before you could lease
out equipment and pay like 1/3 of the cost and at the time of return you turn it back in and get a
new piece of equipment but now it is not like that. They basically charging you the full price of
that equipment.”
Councilman Dexter Brown questioned, “Mr. Bellard, I know whenever we went from buying to
leasing it was a maintenance issue whereas we could save money with the maintenance. Are we
going back to that?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “No, we are going the same direction because this
equipment that we are purchasing has the maintenance program with the purchase. That was
something that was a key thing for us and it is an even better maintenance program than the one
that we had before. The one that we had before they charged you mileage to come and take care
of the problem. It was a maintenance plan before with the lease but they still charged you the
mileage and everything so it was not that great of a deal. Now we will have a good deal.”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “We will have a maintenance warranty with it.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Correct.”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “Thank you Sir.”
Councilman Faltery Jolivette stated, “Mr. Bellard, percentage wise we are saving money
through this purchase, roughly what kind of percentage are we saving?”

Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Roughly right now we are paying $30,000.00 and some
change per month I think we will drop down to $20,000.00 or $21,000.00 per month on
purchasing.”
Chairman Jody White stated, “At the end Parish Government will own it rather than having to
give it back.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Correct.”
Councilman Faltery Jolivette stated, “And it comes with a maintenance program.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Right.”
Councilman Faltery Jolivette stated, “So it is a win, win.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere questioned, “How much equipment are we talking about? Are
you going to be getting bids for the purchases or do you have somebody that you are dealing
with? Who are you purchasing from?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “This is a State Contract.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere questioned, “You are buying it from where?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Most of it is coming from Progressive Tractor.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere questioned, “How much equipment are we talking about? Are
we going to get a list of that?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Yes.”
Councilman Faltery Jolivette stated, “For those of us, I understand state contracts Mr. Bellard
could you understand what that state contract means? Could you explain?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “So the State Contract is basically the state sends this out
every year and they already did all of the bidding for the entire state. They buy their equipment
off of the state contract and the law allows us to buy off of that same contract so we don’t have
to rebid, it is a process.”
Councilman Faltery Jolivette stated, “That basically covers the best price is that right?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “That is correct.”
Councilman Faltery Jolivette stated, “Thank you Sir.”
Councilman Timmy Lejeune questioned, “Mr. Bellard are we getting new equipment or we are
buying out the lease with the company or the corporation. I don’t know what brand or who we
lease from but are we buying new equipment with this money or are we buying out the lease that
we have?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “We are buying new equipment.”
Councilman Timmy Lejeune stated, “New equipment. So what happens to the old equipment?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “They are going to come and pick it up.”
Councilman Timmy Lejeune questioned, “And we don’t have to pay anything on that lease?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “No Sir.”
Councilman Timmy Lejeune stated, “We are done with all of that.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Yes Sir. Once everything is in place.”

13
Councilman Timmy Lejeune stated, “Okay.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “And Timmy he said it is Progressive Tractor.”
Mr. Eric LaFleur stated, “Mr. Chairman, just to make it abundantly clear to everybody and to
Mr. Taylor because he has pointed it out it is Fund 21.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Fund 21 for the Equipment.”
Councilman Wayne Ardoin stated, “Right, Road and Bridge.”
Mr. Eric LaFleur stated, “If it is referencing only one it should have had at least a 2 in the front
of it. So it will confirm with District 21. Even if you adopted it and it had different language we
could not do it because the Bond Commission already approved it for Fund 21. You have an
unbelievable number of Funds.”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “Ms. Carriere stated that the contract was with Progressive,
correct?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “That is correct.”
Councilman Dexter Brown questioned, “Is that Progressive right here in Opelousas?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “That is correct.”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “So we are just keeping the money in the parish.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “That is our main objective every single day to keep
money in our parish and not buy outside.”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “Thank you Sir.”
Councilman Ernest Blanchard questioned, “What interest rate are you all charging?”
Mr. Eric LaFleur stated, “I am not charging anything. Our job is to go out and get the best rate.
The rate is not exceed 6% and not to exceed 8 years. So when you go to the Bond Commission
they look at it in the most conservative way. What would be the worst interest rate that you
would get and what would be the most amount of money that you would need? That is why it is
set at the max parameter and our goal is to pursue banks and make them compete with one
another to get the lowest possible rate. If I had to guess what the rate would be it is going to
probably be in the 4.5 to 5% range because they are tax exempt. When the bank loans you the
money and the interest at the bank earns a tax free bond it is not taxed and so consequently the
bank is able to give you a better rate than a private business, of course they limit you on what
you can spend it on and this is one of the things that you can spend it on and still get tax
exempt.”
Councilman Wayne Ardoin stated, “Mr. Brown are you going to ask that we get a list of the
equipment.”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “Yes Sir, We can add that in.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Yes, we will send it to you all.”
Chairman Jody White stated, “To make the record clear right here in reference to Ordinance
2025-003 to be introduced we have a sponsor, Mr. Dexter Brown.”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “Yes Sir.”
Chairman Jody White stated, “Thank you Mr. Eric.”

14
ORDINANCE 2024-055

Chairman Jody White stated, “Ordinances to be adopted. Ordinance 2024-055 Sponsored by
Councilman Timmy Lejeune.”
A motion was made by Councilman Timmy Lejeune, seconded by Councilman Jimmie
Edwards to Adopt Ordinance No. 2024-055.
Council Clerk Sherell Jordan called roll: “Ms. Nancy Carriere.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “Abstained.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard questioned, “Mr. Duplechain, whenever somebody abstains are
they suppose to state the reason why they are abstaining?”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “No.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “No.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I am asking Mr. Duplechain.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “Well I will change my vote then”
Legal Counsel Garett Duplechain stated, “Could you state the reason.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “Well I will just go ahead and vote no, No.”
Legal Counsel Garett Duplechain stated, “She can wait until the end.”

VI. ORDINANCES TO BE ADOPTED:
A motion was made by Councilman Timmy Lejeune, seconded by Councilman Jimmie Edwards
to Adopt Ordinance No. 2024-055.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Dexter
Brown, Timmy Lejeune, Jimmie Edwards, and Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: Nancy Carriere, Harold
Taylor, Ken Marks and Wayne Ardoin. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
WHEREUPON, this motion was adopted on this, the 5th, day of February, 2025.

ORDINANCE NO. 2024-055
Sponsored By: Councilman Timmy Lejeune
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE 2024 OPERATING BUDGET FOR

ST. LANDRY PARISH GOVERNMENT

Date Introduced: December 18, 2024
WHEREAS, the 2024 St. Landry Parish Operating Budget, herein attached, is hereby amended
to reflect the detailed amended estimate of revenues and expenses for the fiscal year beginning
January 1, 2024, and ending December 31, 2024, being the same is hereby adopted to serve as an
amended operating Budget of Revenues and Expenses for the Parish of St. Landry during the
said period.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE ST. LANDRY PARISH GOVERNMENT
THAT:
Section 1. The attached, detailed AMENDED estimate of revenues for the fiscal year beginning
January 1, 2024, and ending December 31, 2024, is hereby adopted to serve as an amended
operating Budget of Revenues for the Parish of St. Landry during the said period.

Section 2. The attached, detailed AMENDED estimate of expenditures by department for fiscal
year beginning January 1, 2024, and ending December 31, 2024, is hereby adopted to serve as an
amended operating Budget of Expenditures for the Parish of St. Landry during the said period.
Section 3. The adoption of the Amended Operating Budget of Expenditures being the same is
hereby declared to operate as an appropriation of the amount therein set forth within the terms of
the budget classification.
Section 4. Amounts are available for expenditures only to the extent included within the 2024
Budget.
Section 5. All power to alter this Budget is reserved by the St. Landry Parish Council.

A motion was made by Councilman Timmy Lejeune, seconded by Councilman Ernest Blanchard
to Adopt Ordinance 2024-056.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Dexter
Brown, Timmy Lejeune, Jimmie Edwards, and Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: Nancy Carriere, Harold
Taylor, Ken Marks and Wayne Ardoin. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
WHEREUPON, this motion was adopted on this, the 5th, day of February, 2025.

Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “Mr. Chairman, I have some questions for Mr. Bellard. Mr.
Bellard on Fund 44, page 21 of the budget, Service Fund, last year we appropriated $193, 883.00
but you are asking to amend it to $228,433.00, is that correct?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Let me see, let me make sure that we are on the same
page here. You said Fund 44?
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “That is what it says, Fund 44. Page 21.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Let me get to it. Okay, Bond Principal, right, what is
the question Mr. Taylor?
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “Okay, the question is this and I know that I am jumping
ahead here but the 2025 budget shows a revenue of $228,433.00 where it will
be $705,250.00 with $498,829 coming out of Fund 21 and $206, 421.00 coming out of Fund 42.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “So that is to pay back the bond for equipment and
payback the bond for overlay.”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “Fund 21 is that Road and Bridge?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “That is correct.”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “Okay. I have another question then I will let it rest. This
will be Fund 70, Capital Project Fund. It looks like we adopted the original budget for Federal
Grant Revenue for $3,105,000.00. According to the budget we did not receive it is that an
error?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “So the Federal Grant, no we did not receive the money
yet.”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “But yet in 2025 you say that we will get $7,246,718.00.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “That is correct. We have to anticipate getting this
money in. I will give you an example, we have the airport improvements that we got approved
in 2022. We had to put it on the books anticipating we are getting it and we are just doing the
work now. So that is some of that same money that has to come through. All of the Federal
Grants and all of the Federal Appropriated Money, we anticipate getting it. As long as we
anticipate getting it we have to show it and we also have to show that expense but not necessarily
it is going to happen in that year.”

Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “It says that we adopted the original budget in 2024 for
$404,525.00 and we did not receive that either, is that correct?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “That is correct Sir.”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “Under the Federal Appropriations Revenue we set the
budget at $845,000.00 and we did not receive that either, did we?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “That is correct.”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “But yet you say that we will get $1,800,000.00 in 2025, do
you have any documentation on this?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Yes Sir we do. We have it in the office. That is some
more grant money that is approved and they say that we are going to get it and it is all approved
and it is just a matter of waiting on them to tell us when they are going to send it.”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “That kind of mingles up the budget when we don’t get it in
the year that we appropriate it.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “As long as you don’t spend it. We have to appropriate
for it and appropriate the spending on it. As long as we don’t spend the money when you don’t
have it so we should be okay.”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “On the State Appropriation Revenue and I am not sure on
that, when you say State Appropriations is that Capital Outlay?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Yes Sir.”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “Okay, we are budgeted $2,000,000.00 and we only got
$317,418.00, what happen there?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I will have to look at those numbers to see.”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “But yet you say in 2025 we will get $5,000,000.00.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Yes Sir, we will be getting some money from The
Capital Outlay Program for Nap Lane, another $3,000,000.00 for that one.”
Councilman Ken Marks questioned, “Mr. Bellard, does the State or the Federal Government or
whomever give any status report or any estimation of process.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I can get that from Van.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “I am sure that they do.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I will give you an example. If you look down at the
Louisiana Water Shed Initiative, we budgeted $5,500,000.00. So one day we have it and the
next day we don’t have it and that is from them saying yes you meet the details and the next day
they say no you don’t. So we have another meeting scheduled and they are saying yes they are
going to give us a variance on that $5,500,000.00. We have all the information that we need but
I put it in the budget hoping that we get it. I think this time they are going to give it to us. I meet
with the lady a couple of weeks back and she is good and she understands.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “I sure hope they understand that you are waiting on this
funding and it has been delayed and it is not your fault. So what are they going to do about it to
expedite it?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “So on this Louisiana Water Shed Initiative, 90% of the
money that is allocated to the state has been allocated out and not a single dollar has been spent

yet. They have so much red tape on this money but they say that it is for us to use whenever it is
available we are just waiting for them to say that it is available.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “It does not sit well for you trying to do a budget.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Correct.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “When you are expecting funds to come in and they don’t come
in and they say that they will come in and they don’t again.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “It went back 4 or 5 times in the last two years. This last
time she guarantees us that it will happen because she will give us this variance because you
have to meet the low to moderate income levels. The area that we went to do with this program
does not meet that but it does meet the criteria of the need for the drainage.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “They keep changing the criteria.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Yes Sir that is exactly right.”
Councilman Timmy Lejeune questioned, “Mr. Bellard, in speaking of that funding, do they tell
us how we can spend it and what we can spend it on?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “That is correct.”
Councilman Timmy Lejeune stated, “The $5,000,000.00 is going to be used as a dedicated
expenditure from the State or from the Planning Committee where this Water Shed is going to
be.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “From the Feds to the State, yes Sir, we submitted
several plans to them to meet the criteria of the low to moderate. They did not meet their criteria
and we found another place where we can do this and it would actually affect a lot of homes and
they are finally going to give us a variance on that one so we should be good according to them.
We had a good meeting last week with them. ”
Councilman Timmy Lejeune stated, “Okay, thank you.”
Chairman Jody White stated, “Are there any further questions from the council?”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “Are we still on Ordinance 003?”
Chairman Jody White stated, “No Sir, we are still on Ordinance No. 2024-055. Since there are
no further questions I will be moving on at this time to Ordinance 2024-056.”

Chairman Jody White stated, “Do we have any other questions regarding Ordinance
No. 2024-056?”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “I have a comment. Mr. Bellard, I have gone through your
budget page by page and I was looking at it. I am very uncomfortable with your numbers and
your assurance that we are going to get the money that you say that we are going to get,
obviously I can’t vote for this.”
Councilman Timmy Lejeune stated, “Mr. Bellard hearing Mr. Taylor I have a question about
that as well. The funding has to be put in the budget that we anticipated on getting, is that law?
Can we get in trouble by putting it in there and accepting the budget? Then what are you going
to do? You will want to amend the budget and reduce the revenue.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “At the end of the day according to our Auditors and
everybody that we speak too if we are awarded funds from the Federal or State Government and
they always give us letters to that effect we have to anticipate on getting that revenue in and
expensing that revenue out. The award letters never tell us when the money is coming in it tell
us that you have been awarded. This has been going on forever but for us we know. Like I said

earlier the 2022 awards for the airport are just being done now, the actual work is just being done
now. If I don’t put it in the budget we will have to amend it but I know that we have the award
letters that is saying that the money is approved so I have to put it in there.”
Councilman Timmy Lejeune stated, “Okay, thank you.”
Councilman Wayne Ardoin questioned, “Mr. Bellard on the award letters can you furnish all of
the award letters to us?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Yes we can.”
Councilman Wayne Ardoin stated, “Okay, I would ask that you give us that so that we would
have that as a track record on it.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “That is fine.”
Councilman Faltery Jolivette questioned, “Mr. Bellard if we are expecting those funds and we
don’t get them we amend if you don’t put it in the budget. If you put it in the budget and we get
the funds then we are fine. If you don’t put it in the budget and we get those funds we have to
amend again, either way.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “No matter what we do. Every year we have to amend
the budget. Whenever you anticipate that revenue you have to put it.”
Councilman Faltery Jolivette stated, “I understand, thank you.”
Councilman Timmy Lejeune stated, “Mr. Bellard I understand why you are doing it. I am just
going to ask that when you present a budget like this to us and you have award letters is it
possible that you could add them into the packet so there would never be a question about if you
were awarded the funding. We would feel a whole lot more comfortable know that it is coming
in our direction.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Yes.”
Chairman Jody White stated, “That is the question that Mr. Ardoin just asked earlier. Mr.
President, just to echo Mr. Jolivette, I want to make sure that I understand that as well. You are
showing the numbers and anticipating it. We have award letters but if at the end of the year we
haven’t received any of that particular money then we amend the budget at that time getting into
the next year whereas you don’t show that money because we have not received it.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Right.”
Chairman Jody White stated, “That is what is going to happen.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “Along those same lines do we have anyone in Legislation or in
Government that can help us expedite, drive it for us or watch over it for us to know what is
going on.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “We definitely have a team in place that follows that.
We have a call every other Wednesday with that team and they let us know where we are at in
the process and whatever else needs to happen. Every other Wednesday I have a call.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “Okay so you are on top of it weekly.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Yes Sir. It is just that the Federal Government moves
that are extremely slow.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “That is not much that we can do about it.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Not really, it is their money so we have to follow their
rules.”

Chairman Jody White stated, “Are there any further questions?”
Councilman Ken Marks questioned, “Mr. Lejeune, have you had an opportunity to look at the
budget as well?”
Councilman Timmy Lejeune stated, “I have and I have gone over it with Jessie as well.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “Do you feel comfortable with going forward with this as a
balanced budget?”
Councilman Timmy Lejeune stated, “I do. Based on the law and the information that Mr.
Bellard is telling us the budget is balanced. If you feel in any way that it is not possible Mr.
Marks I would ask you to call it out as well. Mr. Taylor.”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “We are balancing it with borrowed money.”
Councilman Timmy Lejeune stated, “You have too.”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “In the 2025 Budget we will borrow more money to balance
the 2025 budget. So you can’t balance budgets on borrowed money. Jesus you need to cut the
budget.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “My question is this, I missed part of the meeting
because I am just getting off of work but one of my questions I have is this. Because we got
award letters that we have not been presented with yet and last year I am sure that we got an
award letter and the year before from the airport money but I can’t remember that because it is a
couple of years back, so this what you are saying that we have been doing this since the
beginning of time that we always balance our budget according to the money that we suppose to
get. What you are also saying is that every year our budget is balanced based on that situation,
based on that money that we are suppose to get and we never fell short yet?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “That is not true.
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “That is what I am asking?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “So the budget is balanced based off of what we can do.
The grant money and the appropriated money is just a wash that comes in and goes out. It is not
used to balance the budget at all. What we anticipate getting in and what we anticipate spending
on the grants are appropriated money. We can’t use it to balance the budget.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “But you have it in our budget.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Correct, yes.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “So we can’t use it.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Correct, we can’t use it because we don’t technically
have it yet. We don’t spend any money that we don’t have. The problem at the airport was that
you can’t even do the work without them appropriating the money and coming out there and
approving the actual scope of work. It is a long drawn out process but again it is their money,
their rules and we have to follow.”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere questioned, “The money, was it $4,000,000.00 that we were
suppose to get a couple of years ago when you went to Washington. Have we received that yet?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “We got $2,300,000.00 for the airport. We got
$1,800,000.00 for Cops Grant, we got another two. Every year we go but this past year, 2024 we
were not awarded anything. But in 2021, 2022 and 2023 we were awarded at the Federal Level.
Every year at the State Level we get money.”

Councilwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “Given the state that our county is in right now do you
anticipate that we are going get this money no matter what with all of things that is going on
right now.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “All we have is their letters identifying the grants and
their appropriated money and they are saying that they are going to fund it. Unless they are
sending something that says otherwise I have no reason to doubt it.”
Councilman Ken Marks questioned, “Debris removal, I know that we have a pretty bad issue
with that. Where are we currently with that?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “As far as what.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “As far as the payment. Has any funding come your way for
that?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Last year was $100,000.00 if I am not mistaken, for last
year’s storm in April we got the money. That was a portion of the money that the governor put
out there for that.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “If I recall there was something to the amount of maybe close to
$1,000,000.00.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “It was right around $500,000.00. I think that we got
75% of that.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “Good, so it did happen?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “It happened in November or December, yes Sir.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “Okay, great, thank you.”
Chairman Jody White stated, “We will move on to the next Ordinance No. 2024-057.”

ORDINANCE NO. 2024-056
(Sponsored By: Timmy Lejeune)

AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT THE 2025 OPERATING BUDGET FOR

ST. LANDRY PARISH GOVERNMENT

WHEREAS, the 2025 St. Landry Parish Operating Budget, herein attached, is hereby
adopted to reflect the detailed estimate of revenues and expenses for the fiscal year beginning
January 1, 2025, and ending December 31, 2025, being the same is hereby adopted to serve as
the operating Budget of Revenues and Expenses for the Parish of St. Landry during the said
period.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE ST. LANDRY PARISH GOVERNMENT
THAT:
Section 1. The attached, detailed estimates of revenues for the fiscal year beginning January 1,
2025, and ending December 31, 2025, is hereby adopted to serve as the operating Budget of
Revenues for the Parish of St. Landry during the said period.
Section 2. The attached estimates of expenditures by department for fiscal year beginning
January 1, 2025, and ending December 31, 2025, is hereby adopted to serve as an operating
Budget of Expenditures for the Parish of St. Landry during the said period.
Section 3. The adoption of the Operating Budget of Expenditures being the same is hereby
declared to operate as an appropriation of the amount therein set forth within the terms of the
budget classification.

Section 4. Amounts are available for expenditures only to the extent included within the 2025
Budget.
Section 5. All power to alter this Budget is reserved by the St. Landry Parish Council.

ORDINANCE 2024-057
A motion was made by Councilman Timmy Lejeune, seconded by Councilwoman Mildred
Thierry to Adopt Ordinance 2024-057.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Dexter
Brown, Timmy Lejeune, Jimmie Edwards, and Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: Nancy Carriere,
Harold Taylor, Ken Marks, and Wayne Ardoin. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
WHEREUPON, this motion was adopted on this, the 5th, day of February, 2025.

ORDINANCE NO. 2024-057
(Sponsored By: Timmy Lejeune)

AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF NOT
EXCEEDING $2,000,000 REVENUE NOTES, SERIES 2025, OF THE ST.
LANDRY PARISH GOVERNMENT, STATE OF LOUISIANA;
PROVIDING FOR THE PAYMENT THEREOF; ESTABLISHING THE
RATE OF INTEREST THEREON; PROVIDING FOR A PLEDGE AND
DEDICATION OF REVENUES FOR SECURITY AND PAYMENT
THEREOF IN PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST; AND OTHER MATTERS IN
CONNECTION THEREWITH.
WHEREAS, the St. Landry Parish Government, Parish of St. Landry, State of Louisiana
(the “Issuer”) is a home rule charter government and a political subdivision of the State of
Louisiana (the “State”) pursuant to Article VI, Section 5 of the Louisiana Constitution of 1974;
and
WHEREAS, the St. Landry Parish Council (the “Governing Authority”) as the governing
authority of the Issuer pursuant to Section 1430 of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of
1950, as amended, and other constitutional and statutory authority (collectively, the “Act”),
desires to authorize the incurring of debt and borrowing of an amount not to exceed $2,000,000,
secured by revenues to accrue to the Issuer’s General Fund (11) (the “Revenues”); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Act and other constitutional and statutory authority, the Parish desires
to incur debt and issue its Revenue Anticipation Note, Series 2025, in a principal amount not
exceeding Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000) (the “Note”), to pay current expenses for the fiscal
year ending December 31, 2024, and paying costs of issuance, in anticipation of the revenues of
the Parish for the current fiscal year ending December 31, 2025;
WHEREAS, this Governing Authority has found and determined that it is necessary and desirable
to approve the sale of the Note with terms and conditions within the parameters set forth in this
Bond Resolution and authorize the Parish’s authorized representatives to execute a term sheet with
the purchaser (the “Term Sheet”) within the parameters set forth herein; and
WHEREAS, this Governing Authority further desires to proceed with the issuance, sale and
delivery of the note to the Purchaser and authorize and obligate the Parish’s Authorized
Representatives to take action and execute documents as may be necessary to accomplish the
issuance, sale and delivery of Note.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Parish Council for the Parish of St. Landry,
State of Louisiana (the “Parish Council”), acting as the governing authority of Parish of St.
Landry, State of Louisiana (the “Parish”), that:
SECTION 1. Authorization of Revenue Anticipation Note. Pursuant to the Act and other
constitutional and statutory authority supplemental thereto, the Parish is hereby authorized to incur
debt for the purpose of paying current expenses for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, and
paying costs of issuance in anticipation of the revenues of the Parish for the current fiscal year

ending December 31, 2024, and to represent said indebtedness, the Parish shall issue its Revenue
Anticipation Note, Series 2025, in an amount not to exceed Two Million and No/100 Dollars
($2,000,000) (the “Note”). The Note shall mature not later than October 1, 2025, and shall bear
interest at a fixed or variable rate to be negotiated by the President of the Parish of St. Landry with
the Parish’s fiscal agent, provided that such interest rate shall not exceed six percent (6.00%) per
annum. Interest on the Note shall be computed based on a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-
day months and shall be payable upon the maturity of the Note. The Note shall be issued in the
form of a single fully registered note, dated the date of delivery thereof to the initial purchaser and
numbered R-1. The principal of the Note shall be subject to prepayment at any time, in whole or
in part at the option of the Parish, at a price of par plus accrued interest on the amount so prepaid
to the date of prepayment. The purchase price of the Note shall be paid to the Parish by the
purchaser in installments (often time referred to as a draw down loan) on an “as-needed” basis,
and the date and amount of each installment of the purchase price shall be noted on the Note and
interest shall accrue only on the amount of principal which shall have been borrowed by the Parish.
The Note is hereby awarded to the Parish’s fiscal agent, Washington State Bank, in Parish of St.
Landry, Louisiana, pursuant to its commitment to purchase the Note, a copy of which shall be filed
with this governing authority.
SECTION 2. Form and Execution of Note. The Note shall be in substantially the form attached
hereto as Exhibit A, and the Chairman and the Clerk to the Parish Council are authorized and
directed on behalf of the Issuer to execute, seal, and deliver the Note to the purchaser.
SECTION 3. Security for Note. The Note will be secured by and payable from the revenues of
the general fund (11) for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025, until the Note is paid in full in
accordance with its terms, all in accordance with the provisions of the Act and other constitutional
and statutory authority.
SECTION 4. Irrevocable Pledge. The note shall be secured by and payable in principal,
premium, if any, and interest solely from an irrevocable pledge and dedication of the general fund
(11). The Pledged Revenues are hereby irrevocably and irrepealably pledged and dedicated in an
amount sufficient for the payment of the Note in principal, premium, if any, and interest as they
shall respectively become due and payable, and for the other purposes hereinafter set forth in this
Ordinance. The General Fund shall be and remain pledged for the security and payment of the
Note in principal, premium if any, and interest and for all other payments provided for in this Bond
Ordinance until the Note has been fully paid and discharged.
SECTION 5. Authorization of Officers. The President of the Parish of St. Landry and the
Chairman of the Council and the Council Clerk is individually or collectively, are hereby
empowered, authorized and directed to execute and deliver or cause to be executed and delivered
all documents required to be executed on behalf of the Parish or deemed by, either, in their sole
discretion, necessary or advisable to implement this Bond Ordinance or facilitate the sale of the
Note including the execution of the term sheet.
SECTION 6. Note is “Bank-Qualified”. In the event that the Note is issued as a tax-exempt note
for federal income tax purposes, the Note shall be designated as a “qualified tax-exempt
obligation” within the meaning of Section 265(b)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the “Code”). In making this designation, the Parish finds and determines that:
a. the Note is not a “private activity bond” within the meaning of the Code; and
b. the reasonably anticipated amount of qualified tax-exempt obligations which
will be issued by the Parish and all subordinate entities in calendar year 2025
does not exceed $10,000,000.
SECTION 7. Financial Statements. The Parish covenants and agrees that it will furnish the
owner of the Note as soon as available, but in no event later than 120 days after the end of each
fiscal year, its balance sheet, and income statement for the year-end, audited by a certified public
accountant. All financial reports required hereunder shall be prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, applied on a consistent basis, and shall be in a form and substance
acceptable to the owner of the Note. Failure to comply with this provision shall constitute a default
hereunder and shall entitle the owner of the Note to exercise all remedies provided hereunder.

SECTION 8. Severability. In case any one or more of the provisions of this Ordinance or of the
Note shall for any reason be held to be illegal or invalid, such illegality or invalidity shall not affect
any other provisions of this Ordinance or of the Note, but this Ordinance and the Note shall be
construed and enforced as if such illegal or invalid provisions had not been contained therein. Any
constitutional or statutory provisions enacted after the date of this Ordinance that validate or make
legal any provision of the Ordinance and/or the Note that would not otherwise be valid or legal
shall be deemed to apply to this Ordinance and to the Note.
SECTION 9. Publication; Peremption. A copy of this Ordinance shall be published immediately
after its adoption in one issue of the official journal of the Parish. For thirty (30) days from the
date of such publication, any person in interest shall have the right to contest the legality of this
Ordinance or the Note and the provisions securing the Note. After the expiration of said thirty (30)
days, no one shall have any right of action to contest the validity of the Note or the provisions of
this Ordinance, and the Note shall be conclusively presumed to be legal, and no court shall
thereafter have authority to inquire into such matters.
SECTION 10. Continuing Disclosure Exemption. It is recognized that the Issuer will not be
required to comply with the continuing disclosure requirements described in Rule 15c-2-12(b) of
the Securities and Exchange Commission [17 CFR §140.15c2-12(b)], because the Note is not
being purchased by a broker, dealer, or municipal securities dealer acting as an underwriter in a
primary offering of municipal securities, and the Note is being sold to only one financial institution
(i.e. no more than thirty-five persons), which (i) have such knowledge and experience in financial
business matter that they are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective
investment in the Note and (ii) are not purchasing the Note for more than one account or with a
view to distributing the Bond. The Issuer shall nonetheless covenant to provide the purchaser or
its assigns the information provided for in Section 7 so long as the Note remains outstanding.
SECTION 11. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.

Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “You all requested to have Mr. LaFleur here.
He is here in the audience if you all have any questions.”
Chairman Jody White stated, “Mr. LaFleur, please come to the mic and state your name.
If any councilmembers have any questions they will be recognized.””
Mr. Eric LaFleur addressed the council. He stated, “My name is Eric LaFleur and I am
Bond Counselor to the parish.”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “Thank you for coming Eric. This thing has changed
dramatically since the first proposal.”
Mr. Eric LaFleur stated, “It has.”
Councilman Harold Taylor continued to state, “I think the first proposal was a $3,000,000.00
line of credit is that correct?”
Mr. Eric LaFleur stated, “I think initially it was more than that but once we understood
what we were doing it went down to three and then to two.”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “It was a $3,000,000.00 and a $4,500,000.00 I think, is
that correct? $2,500,000.00 was going to District 9 for his project and $2,000,000.00 to buy
equipment.”
Mr. Eric LaFleur stated, “Right that is correct, yes Sir.”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “I am a little confused because we got the ordinance that
we just talked about.”
Mr. Eric LaFleur stated, “For the budget.”

Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “I got it yesterday to go over it and it changed today. It
is really complicated. I haven’t looked at the one that you all sent today is it the same as we got
yesterday you think?”
Mr. Eric LaFleur stated, “Yes, well they will have some changes to account for but no
subsequent changes that are different than what you halve already adopted.”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “So we are borrowing $2,000,000.00 to pay off an
overspend in 2024, is what this $2,000,000.00 is for?”
Mr. Eric LaFleur stated, “You have a budget ordinance which is money that you will
borrow to make up for a shortfall. The other two, one is a road overlay program or a road overlay
project which will come in a couple of months because it is not quite ready to go forward. The
weather usually does not let those things happen very well in January and February. The other one
is for the purchase of Construction equipment which will replace the current equipment that you are
renting.”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “Insecure by how.”
Mr. Eric LaFleur stated, “That is what I figured everyone was looking at. I don’t know
everybody’s businesses but in a typical business you have revenue that comes in and revenue that
goes out. If you have a big capital expenditure you have to make because some equipment in your
business fail you have to move money around. The money that comes into a business is general
purpose money, it is not dedicated. In the case of the parish and in the case of the state you often
will have dedicated money that you cannot use for budgetary items that you would think would
make sense to do but that is not how it works when those funds are dedicated and everybody here is
in Public Service but you are in politics too and you know that it is difficult, for example, to pass a
tax unless you tell the world that it can only be spent on x, y, z. That is the reason why you create
dedicated funds, you can undo them but the public is expecting you to spend it on something and
not something else. So that is why you dedicated them. That is why you have a budgetary loan but
at the same time you are going to be able to do the road project and purchase the equipment to
maintain and build roads as well. The revenue that is going to secure that debt is dedicated.”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “In this particular case this ordinance is dedicated from
Fund 11 which is our General Fund is that correct?”
Mr. Eric LaFleur stated, “Yes.”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “Okay, so I know this is a pointed quest nary but you
have been in politics for a few years yourself is it sound practice for borrowing money for
reoccurring expenses?”
Mr. Eric LaFleur stated, “It is never the best, you never want to borrow money to pay for
anything.”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “I see in the 2025 budget we will borrow another
$1,500,000.00 to pay off over spending in the 2025 budget are you working on that one too?”
Mr. Eric LaFleur stated, “Well not yet.”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “So we will have $3,500,000.00 over two years that we
are borrowing is that correct?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “No, No.”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “Wait a minute, I am speaking to the attorney here. I
would like for him to answer the question Mr. Chairman.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “But I am answering the question Harold.
You are making it $3,500,000.00 and that is not even true.”
Chairman Jody White stated, “Mr. Taylor you are asking a question to the attorney and
what is that question?”

Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “The question is this: If we are going to borrow
$2,000,000.00 now to pay for overspending in 2024 and in the 2025 budget that Mr. Bellard is
proposing we will be borrowing another $1,500,000.00 to pay off the overspend in 2025 and that is
$3,500,000.00. Is that prudent? Is that prudent business practice?”
Mr. Eric LaFleur stated, “You never want to borrow money and have to do anything.”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “I rest my case, thank you very much.”
Mr. Eric LaFleur stated, “If you have extraordinary expenses in a given year
for whatever reason.”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “You would suggest that we cut the budget
if you were on this council.”
Mr. Eric LaFleur stated, “Well it depends, it is either more revenue or cutting
expenditures or a combination but I believe that is the plan.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “I have the answer, I have the answer.”
Chairman Jody White stated, “I will give you a chance to answer that.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Because I am not going to let Harold get up
there and start throwing $3,500,000.00.”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “Just speak your piece Mr. Bellard.”
Chairman Jody White stated, “Let’s not call any names but go ahead and give us the
verbiage on what you want to say Mr. Bellard.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “We borrowed $2,000,000.00 for 2024. If you read
a budget you are going to see where we paid it back in 2025. We borrowed back $1,500,000.00 so
in essence we are paying back $500,000.00 this year of the $2,000,000.00 so we are not borrowing
$3,500,000.00. I don’t care how you put it. If you look in the budget and you look at every page in
this budget you would see it.”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “Mr. Bellard, I read the budget, I see the $2,000,000.00
you have in there to pay off the 2024 budget and I looked at 2025 budget and you are borrowing
another $1,500,000.00 so what is it?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “The budget is the budget and it shows that we paid
back the $2,000,000.00 in 2025.”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “And you are going to borrow another $1,500,000.00 in
2025 is that correct? Is that what you have in the budget? Is that what the line says?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Sometimes I can talk and you can’t understand so I
will just leave it like this, say what you want to say.”
Councilman Harold Taylor stated, “Mr. Bellard, just answer the question? Do you have
$1,500,000.00 for 2025? Everybody have a copy of the budget they can see it.”
Chairman Jody White stated, “Mr. Taylor, do you have any other questions for the attorney? Do
any other councilmembers have any question?”
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere questioned, “Mr. LaFleur, what is your understanding.”
Mr. Eric LaFleur stated, “When you have a deficit sometimes you will borrow to pay for
the following year expenses but if the budget is balanced you don’t have to go back and borrow
anymore. If you have another shortfall for reasons that may be out of your control, it could be for
example prisoner housing is a problem here and it is a problem in Evangeline and it is a problem all

over the state but you are obligated under the constitution to provide a prison and you are not the
gate keeper, the sheriff is. So that is an example of how you can budget but the guy who is in
charge or who goes in and out there is not you so it is a mandated requirement that you pay for.
The same thing happens for example in municipalities, the Larson Act Municipality. You have to
provide sufficient funds for the Chief of Police but you will hear often times that the Chief of Police
over extends his budget and he goes back and forth with the council but the council is obligated to
pay his reasonable cost, reasonable cost is like beauty it is in the eyes of the beholder. You manage
your budget, you pay it off and you manage your budget and avoid extra ordinary expenses to the
extent that you can but some of those mandated cost are not in your control, you are not in control
of hurricanes. Like prison housing is one, what happens if you have a prisoner who is on dialysis or
something like that, that will quickly kill whatever you have budgeted for prison housing, those are
just some examples that I can think of in my own experience.”
Councilman Wayne Ardoin stated, “You stated a while ago that it is a not a good practice.
In your business endeavors I know what you are involved in and I noticed that you have your hands
in a lot of things but do you think this is a smart move for this council to go ahead and borrow
money to patch the whole in the budget?”
Mr. Eric LaFleur stated, “We maintain a line of credit with our businesses as most do for
exactly this purpose.”
Councilman Wayne Ardoin stated, “We are dealing with the state so are we going to be
alright dealing with the state? If the state says no we are not going to cover it then where are we
going to be at?”
Mr. Eric LaFleur stated, “If they are not going to cover what?”
Councilman Wayne Ardoin stated, “The credit that we are asking for, the $2,000,000.00.”
Mr. Eric LaFleur stated, “You are using your own dedicated funds for that so it is for
management of that budget that makes it successful.”
Councilman Wayne Ardoin stated, “Management or better, what do you think would be the
best part to do to manage this budget? Do we cut the budget? I don’t want to see no one get laid
off but is that the practice that we would have to take?”
Mr. Eric LaFleur stated, “In my business we borrow money to pay for those unexpected
cost and it could include if everything will be fine the following year or you will have additional
revenue or you cut the budget, it is a combination of any of those things. That is up to the person
who is managing the budget. I don’t go through the budget for the subsequent years but that is the
process and I think that is what he has planned.”
Chairman Jody White stated, “Thank you Mr. Eric.”
Mr. Eric LaFleur stated, “Are there any other questions? Thank you.”
Councilman Wayne Ardoin stated, “We still have to go over Ordinance 2025-003. That
ordinance is coming up for the next year, am I correct? It has to deal with District 9.”
Mr. Eric LaFleur stated, “Oh, road overlay.”
Chairman Jody White stated, “Yes sir, this is a Public Hearing that we are concluding with
right now. At this time I will call to order our special meeting.”

VII. ADJOURN:
A motion was made by Councilman Timmy Lejeune, seconded by Councilwoman
Mildred Thierry to adjourn the Special Meeting.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Nancy Carriere, Faltery Jolivette, Mildred Thierry, Harold Taylor,
Ken Marks, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune, Jimmie
Edwards, and Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
WHEREUPON, this motion was adopted on this, the 5th, day of February, 2025.

ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL

ADMINISTRATIVE/FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2025
OLD CITY MARKET, 131 W. BELLEVUE ST.

OPELOUSAS, LOUISIANA

ADMINISTRATIVE/FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor called this meeting of the
Administrative/Finance Committee of the St. Landry Parish Council to order.
Roll Call: Faltery Jolivette, Harold Taylor, Ken Marks, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune
and Ernest Blanchard. Ex-Officio Jody White. ABSENT: None.
Elect Chairman:
Chairman Jody White stated, “We need to elect a Chairman of the Finance Committee.”
Councilman Ernest Blanchard stated, “I make a motion to elect Harold Taylor.
Councilman Timmy Lejeune stated, “I second. I make a motion that we close the
nominations.”
Councilman Ernest Blanchard stated, “I second.”
A motion was made by Councilman Timmy Lejeune, seconded by Councilman Ernest
Blanchard to elect Councilman Harold Taylor as Chairman of the Administrative Finance
Committee for the year of 2025.”
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Harold Taylor, Ken Marks, Dexter Brown,
Timmy Lejeune and Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED:
None.
Motion carried.
Person to address the Committee.
None.
Council Clerk Sherell Jordan stated, “Excuse me Mr. Chairman, we will need to amend
the agenda for those three items that I gave you on that sheet.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Okay, the agenda amendment.
No 1: Forward all Full Council Resolutions 002-2025.
A Resolution requesting Financial Assistance from the State of Louisiana on the Fiscal
Year 2024-2025 Local Government Assistance Program.
No.2: Forward to Full Council Resolution 003-2025. A Resolution for the Lease of the
Agricultural Finance Authority.
No. 3: Clerk of Court Request. You have 3 items that they would like to add to the
agenda. Do we have a motion?”
A motion was made by Councilman Dexter Brown, seconded by Councilman Timmy
Lejeune to amend the agenda to add three additional items.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Ken Marks, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune
and Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.
Parish President & Finance Reports:

Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Everything that you all just amended is what I
had in the Parish President’s Report.
A motion was made by Councilman Ken Marks, seconded by Councilman Dexter Brown
to accept the Parish President & Finance Report:
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Ken Marks, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune
and Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.

Authorize and forward to full council the Preliminary and final approval for
proposed residential subdivision of a 28.859 tract of land being portioned as lots 1-25
located in Section 52, Township 8 South, Range 4 East off Begneaud and T-Joe Road,
Opelousas, LA St. Landry Parish.
A motion was made by Councilman Ernest Blanchard, seconded by Councilman Ken
Marks to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, February 19th, 2025 to
authorize the approval of the Preliminary and final approval for proposed residential
subdivision of a 28.859 tract of land being portioned as lots 1-25 located in Section 52,
Township 8 South, Range 4 East off Begneaud and T-Joe Road, Opelousas, LA St.
Landry Parish.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Ken Marks, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune
and Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
Authorize the approval of a 255’ SST Cellular Tower and install AT&T ground
equipment W U C and Cellular Antennas located at 222 Elzay Road, Arnaudville,
LA 70512.
A motion was made by Councilman Ken Marks seconded by Councilman Dexter Brown
to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, February 19th, 2025 to authorize the
approval of a 255’ SST Cellular Tower and install AT&T ground equipment W U C and
Cellular Antennas located at 222 Elzay Road, Arnaudville, LA 70512.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Ken Marks, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune
and Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
Update on the funds from Moosa Memorial.
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Who put this on the agenda?”
Councilman Ernest Blanchard stated, “They are talking about that $6,500.00 I believe.”
Council Clerk Sherell Jordan stated, “Yes, that was from the last meeting. They asked
for an update.”
Councilman Timmy Lejeune stated, “It is just clarity on the funding on the $6,500.00 that
was left in the account.”
Councilman Wayne Ardoin stated, “I asked about that. What fund will it be placed in?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “It will be placed in the General Fund and I will
spend it in Eunice.”
Councilman Timmy Lejeune questioned, “Do you need a motion?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “We don’t need a motion on that.”
Councilman Wayne Ardoin stated, “The reason why I asked is because the other day they
had brought it up and I asked what fund will they place it in? So that is why I ask that it
be put on the agenda.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “The General Fund.”

Councilman Wayne Ardoin questioned, “Is that all of the funds that is left in the Moosa
Memorial Account? Is everything dissolved?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “That is everything right there. I am not sure yet
but we have an update on the Acadian Ambulance Lease and that other buildings lease is
coming up.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor questioned, “Will you need a motion
to take it to the full council to place that $6,500.00 in the General Fund? Is that is what
you are saying?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “No, no action necessary.”

Update on the Acadian Ambulance Lease.
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “In your packet you should have the appraisal of
the lease on the Acadian Ambulance Building that is sitting on that property that is now
owned by Parish Government. The other building that is back there that is owned by the
parish and the new hospital, Acadian Medical is the one that is actually using that facility.
We are presently getting an appraised value of lease on that building as we speak. You
should have the lease in your packet for the Acadian Ambulance. I think it went from
$150.00 to $250.00 a month.”
A motion was made by Councilman Ken Marks, seconded by Councilman Timmy
Lejeune to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, February 19th, 2025 to
authorize the Parish President to sign the Lease with Acadian Ambulance for the lease of a
building that is owned by Parish Government for the amount of $250.00 per month.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Ken Marks, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune
and Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
Forward all applications received for two appointments to the St. Landry Parish
Tourist Commission for a three year term. Angela Guillory and Delita Rubin has
resigned. (02-19-2022 – 02-19-2025).
A motion was made by Councilman Ernest Blanchard, seconded by Councilman Ken
Marks to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 to forward
all application received for 1 appointment and authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for
one appointment to the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission for a three year term.
Angela Guillory and Delita Rubin has resigned. (02-19-2022 – 02-19-2025).
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Ken Marks, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune
and Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
Discuss Small Business Loans that are available for those affected by the freeze in
Louisiana. (Councilwoman Mildred Thierry).
Councilwoman Mildred Thierry stated, “Mr. Bellard, would you share some information
on this as for as St. Landry Parish. It was on the news several times but it is done so
quickly. If you are not waiting for it then you will miss out on it. So could you share a
little bit for those who are listening if they are interested they would know where in St.
Landry Parish they could apply for this?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “They can contact our office or go on our website
or go on the State Website. Technically if you suffered any type of damage or any type of
lost revenue that is what this is for. It is a small business loan like they do for every
disaster basically. We have applications at our office, the Parish Government Office.”
Councilwoman Mildred Thierry stated, “Thank you.”

Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor questioned, “Ms. Thierry, do you need
to move this to the full council or do you have the information that you need?”
Councilwoman Mildred Thierry stated, “No, no, I just wanted the public to hear this.”

Forward to full council meeting the Lease of Immovable Property by St. Landry
Parish Government to Acadian Ambulance Service, Inc.
A motion was made by Councilman Ernest Blanchard, seconded by Councilman Ken
Marks to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 to authorize
the Parish President to sign the Lease of Immovable Property by St. Landry Parish
Government to Acadian Ambulance Service, Inc.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Ken Marks, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune
and Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
Forward to full council meeting the Lease of Immovable Property by St. Landry
Parish Government to Allegiance Health Management, Inc. dba Acadian Medical
Center.
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “Mr. Chairman, in reference to this item right here
we have the appraised value because we don’t have it in yet. By the time we do the
ordinance or the lease we will have that for the council.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor questioned, “Do we have a motion to
move it to the full council?”
A motion was made by Ernest Blanchard, seconded by Councilman Timmy Lejeune
to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, February 19th, 2025 to authorize the
Parish President to sign the Lease of Immovable Property by St. Landry Parish
Government to Allegiance Health Management, Inc. dba Acadian Medical Center.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Ken Marks, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune
and Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
Forward to Full Council Resolution 002-2025.
A Resolution requesting Financial Assistance from the State of Louisiana for the
Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Local Government Assistance Program.
A motion was made by Councilman Ken Marks, seconded by Councilman Ernest
Blanchard to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday February 19th, 2025 to
approve Resolution 002-2025. A Resolution requesting Financial Assistance from the
State of Louisiana for the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Local Government Assistance Program.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Ken Marks, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune
and Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
Forward to Full Council Resolution 003-2025.
A Resolution for Lease of Agriculture Finance Authority.
A motion was made by Councilman Timmy Lejeune, seconded by Councilman Ernest
Blanchard to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday February 19th, 2025 to
approve Resolution 003-2025. A Resolution for Lease of Agriculture Finance Authority..
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Ken Marks, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune
and Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
Clerk of Court Request:

Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor questioned, “Do you have any more
details on that?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “So we have been meeting with the attorneys in
reference to this request. In your packet you will see the request that was made. There
were a couple of options. Option No. 1 was for us to basically take ownership of the
building and pay all of the expenses incurred with that building. Option No. 2 is for us to
lease out the portion of the building that actually stores the records. I told them to get us a
price of what it would cost to lease just that portion of the building. In your packet you
can see that they hired the Gleason Group to do that. It came in between $6.00 and $7.00
per square foot, it is 9,000 square feet so that is $58,500.00 at $6.50 a square foot. That is
for you all to consider what to do or what not to do. I just wanted to give that to you all.
We are obligated to provide space. Since the space is already located inside of that
building I don’t want to buy no building and we don’t need that building but I don’t have a
problem with us paying the lease and I asked him to get us the price so that was their
appraisal and it did have the comps in there as well. Also in your packet he sent a request
for some payments for Andrepont Printing and Multi Tech Office Machinery and stuff.
The total amount for those allowed as far as we are concerned is $31,380.22. The portion
of the request that I am saying is not allowed is the utilities on that building because we
are actually paying the lease for the portion that we are leasing so I don’t think that we
should be paying the utilities on that building that came out to $11,108.33. So take it and
look at it and let us know what you all want to do with it.”
Administrative Finance Chairman Harold Taylor stated, “Do we have a motion?”
A motion was made by Councilman Timmy Lejeune, seconded by Councilman Ken
Marks to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, February 19th, 2025 the further
discussion of the Clerk of Court request.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Ken Marks, Dexter Brown, Timmy Lejeune
and Ernest Blanchard. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.

Discuss any other business properly brought before this committee.
Councilwoman Nancy Carriere questioned, “Mr. Bellard could you give us an update
on the Jail. Is it completed? I am not talking about the lawsuit I am only talking about the
jail.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “So the Trustee Dorm is ready to be occupied.
The Sheriff advised me last week that he was going to start on it last Friday and that did
not happen. I e-mailed him last night and the answer that I got was basically when they
are going to get to it they will get to it. The building is ready, everything that they asked
for and then some has been done. My opinion is that he does not have the staff to staff it.
Our portion is done and it would save us thousands of dollars if he would staff that facility
and bring those inmates back home because now we have to pay $40 plus thousands of
dollars a month for juveniles that we don’t have. Again like Eric said earlier mandated
expenses that we are mandated to spend we don’t have no say so on this but this year’s
Legislative session is going to be interesting I can tell you all that much.”
Adjourn.
A motion was made by Councilman Ernest Blanchard, seconded by Councilman Dexter
Brown to adjourn the Administrative/Finance Committee Meeting.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Faltery Jolivette, Ken Marks, Dexter Brown, and Timmy
Lejeune and Ernest Blanchard NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.

ST. LANDRY PARISH COUNCIL
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5th, 2025
OLD CITY MARKET, 131 W. BELLEVUE ST.

OPELOUSAS, LOUISIANA

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

Chairman Jody White called this meeting of the Public Works Committee
of the St. Landry Parish Council to order.
Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation was said earlier in Special Meeting.
Roll Call: Nancy Carriere, Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin
and Jimmie Edwards. Ex-Officio Jody White. ABSENT: None.
Elect Chairman:
Chairman Jody White stated, “We need to elect a Chairman.”
Councilman Wayne Ardoin stated, “If I am in order I nominate Ms. Nancy Carriere.”
Councilman Alvin Stelly stated, “Second.”
Chairman Jody White stated, “Are there any other nominations?”
Councilman Wayne Ardoin stated, “Mr. Chairman I move that the nominations to be
closed.”
Councilwoman Mildred Thierry stated, “Second.”
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilwoman Mildred
Thierry to close all nominations and elect Councilwoman Nancy Carriere as the Public
Works Chairwoman for 2025.”
On roll call vote: YEAS: Nancy Carriere, Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier
Wayne Ardoin, and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED:
None.
Motion carried.
PROCLAMATION TO BALFA
Chairman Jody White stated, “At this time we have a Proclamation and the parties are
available for the Proclamation.”
“Good evening, my name is Jeanne Solis I am the Executive Director of the Louisiana
Folk Roots Organization. Thank you so much for having us here this evening. First of
all, you should have got a flyer that looks like this and we will talk briefly about that. I
would first like to know how many know about Louisiana Folk Roots? Have any of you
heard of Louisiana Folk Roots before? Ok well this is a great opportunity to let you
know about some of the cultural economy and activities we are involved in St. Landry
Parish. We are here on behalf of Dewey Balfa Cajun and Creole Heritage Week which
will take place at the end of March in St. Landry Parish. We are very grateful for the
support that tourism has provided for us and we also want to let you know we have
another activity that we started about three years ago which is our kids camp. That is
the very beginning of our cultural music, workforce development where we teach kids
ages 8-14 how to the accordion, how to play the fiddle, how to use a rub board, a t-far,
how to sing in French, how to dance, and do a show for their Mommy’s, Daddy’s, and
Grandparents at the end of it. Our third kids camp in Eunice, La this summer. We
started in Opelousas three years ago and it has been going on in Lafayette for about
fifteen years. Thank you again for the Parish Support and Tourist Commission
Support in making this possible. I am joined this evening by one of our Folk Roots
board members Colby Martin who will be assisting with the proclamation reading.
Thank you so much for your support in creating a Proclamation for the Dewey Balfa

Cajun and Creole Heritage Week. We do have a little sign down here and I would love
to do a photo afterwards if that is possible and Harlen thank you so much also.

PROCLAMATION

Whereas, the mission of Louisiana Folk Roots, Inc., a non-profit
organization, is to nurture, share and perpetuate Louisiana’s traditional
cultural expressions with an emphasis on Cajun and Creole Heritage
through performances and related educational activities, and
Whereas, the 2025 Dewey Balfa Cajun & Creole Heritage Week activities
will be based in the City of Eunice, in St. Landry Parish, and
Whereas, the Dewey Balfa Cajun & Creole Heritage Week has a positive
impact on the region’s music industry, tourism, and folk life activities, and
Whereas, we stand together in supporting a vibrant cultural economy that
engages local residents with visitors to St. Landry Parish,
THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, that the week of Monday,
March 24th – Friday, March 28th, 2025, is designated as “Dewey Balfa
Cajun & Creole Heritage Week in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana.
Chairman Jody White stated, “In reference to the Proclamation we are going to have that
Proclamation read in French at this point. Ms. Jeannie Solis will read the Proclamation
in French.”
Councilman Faltery Jolivette questioned, “Can you repeat the dates in March.”
Ms. Jeanne Solis stated, “Monday, March 24, 2025 to Friday, March 28, 2025.”
Chairman Jody White stated, “I think all of the councilmembers have a form in front of
you them. That will give you all the dates and more information in reference to the
events.”
Councilman Ken Marks questioned, “Would this be annually?”
Ms. Jeanne Solis stated, “Yes, it is annual.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “Are you considering coming east along 190 to have
something in Opelousas similar to that type of situation?”
Ms. Jeanne Solis stated, “That is a great question, Louisiana Folk Roots is now 25 years
old and we will be celebrating our 25th anniversary. There are only 4 locations in South
Louisiana for the Dewey Balfa Cajun & Creole Heritage Week. So post pandemic when
our board of directors were exploring what is the right thing to do we looked at different
parishes and decided on St. Landry. This is our third year hosting it here and the board is
interesting in continuing it for another 3-5 years so we need you. Last year we had folks
from 7 countries, 20 different states including Louisiana participating. We had about 700
folks during the week, it is very much an education base activity. At night there are
dances with top notch bands open to the public. It does have an impact and we hope to
be staying here in St. Landry Parish.”
Councilman Jimmie Edwards questioned, “Where will it be located?”
Ms. Jeanne Solis stated, “The camp will kick off on the Monday at the National Park
Service, Prairie Acadian Cultural Center with a day in Louisiana French. We will be
learning French all together and then we will go over to Lake View Park for the
Education and Dancing during the week.”

Councilwoman Mildred Thierry questioned, “Did you all get this information out to the
schools in the area?”
Ms. Jeanne Solis stated, “Certainly we could use help with that.”
Councilwoman Mildred Thierry stated, “Maybe you all could get some flyers within the
schools for the kid camps.”
Ms. Jeanne Solis stated, “Absolutely. We do offer a couple of scholarships. We have
generous help from this community right here and others who make it possible for some
kids to attend who may not be able to attend. We have a partnership with UL College in
music for the Accordions and other instruments because not everybody has an accordion
lying around so we do make those available to the kids.”
Councilwoman Vivian Olivier questioned, “If we wanted to send a donation where
would we send it?”
Ms. Jeanne Solis stated, “Louisiana Folk Roots and I would be happy to work with you
on that.”
Councilwoman Mildred Thierry stated, “Just for a suggestion should you decide that you
are going to get this into the schools an easier way would be to get it to the Central
Office. Each school has a box and anything that comes there they would put it into the
box and it is delivered to each school. That way you all would not have to go to each
individual school. Just bring enough fliers to the Central Office to cover each school.”
Ms. Jeanne Solis stated, “Good advice, thank you.”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “To piggy-back on what Ms. Mildred said, one school
that they won’t need to bring fliers to is the Great Eunice High School, I can do that
tomorrow morning. So I have Eunice High School covered for you all. Is there a cost for
this camp?”
Ms. Jeanne Solis stated, “Yes, there are tuitions for the camps. They are all inclusive as
far as the meals and the classes and things like that. It does not cover your lodging or
transportation. We have tuition rates from 1 day up to the whole week. Some people like
to come for 2 days or 3 days. We also offer student discounts and group discounts.”
Councilman Dexter Brown questioned, “They just have to scan this QR Code or go to
the website and everything is there. We have some great members from Eunice on our
council and we would all be willing to help you. We have some members from Eunice
here and also the Eunice City Council is a great group of individuals alongside Mr. Scott
Fontenot, the Mayor. He would give you anything that you may need.”
Ms. Jeanne Solis stated, “Thank you, I will remind him of that because we did visit there
two weeks ago.”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “I will pass this on to Eunice High School and the
area elementary schools. My principal Ms. Irma Trosclair is our Principal Supervisor and
she can get that as well.”
Ms. Jeanne Solis stated, “That is wonderful. Thank you so much Mr. Dexter. The
Eunice camp will kick off July 21st, 2025.”
Councilwoman Vivian Olivier stated, “I would like some fliers to put out at our schools
in Sunset. How do I get them?”
Ms. Jeanne Solis stated, “We have a board member there who will make sure that will
happen. Ms. Christine Dugas in Sunset. I will make sure of that. You all have been
awesome. Thank you all so much for the support tonight.”

Public Works Chairwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “We will begin our Public Works
Meeting.”
Council Clerk Sherell Jordan stated, “Ms. Carriere, you have a paper to amend the
agenda.”
Mr. Jimmie, can you pass that paper down to Ms. Nancy. Do you have the paper?”
Ms. Cynthia Joubert stated, “It is to amend the agenda to add Blighted Property. We
have one on the agenda already. I can do it at that time if it is okay to amend the agenda
to add that item.”
Councilman Wayne Ardoin stated, “Can you come to the Microphone.”
Ms. Cynthia Joubert stated, “A document was given to Mr. Jimmie Edwards and he was
going to request to amend the agenda to add another Blighted Property. We have one on
the agenda already. If you all would like to do it at that time.”
Councilman Wayne Ardoin stated, “I am going to make a motion to amend the Public
Works Agenda to let Ms. Cynthia Joubert bring up her Blighted Properties.”
Councilwoman Mildred Thierry stated, “Second.”
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilwoman Mildred
Thierry to amend the Public Works Agenda to add an additional Blight Property located
at 154 Tesson Street, Parcel No. 0105083000.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin,
and Jimmie Edwards NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.

Person to address the Committee:
None.
Public Works Report:
Mr. Barry Soileau, Public Works Director addressed the council. He stated, “For the
month
of January we:

Boom Axed 3 Roads
Culvert Cleaned 4 Roads
Culvert Installation 10 Roads
Debris Removal 53 Roads
Ditching 5 Roads
Grading 84 Roads
Material Spreading 6 Roads
Patching 3 Roads
Sign Installation 23 Roads
Tree Removal 6 Roads
Washout 5 Roads

For the snow we grated several miles of snow that we graded and the Highway
Department also. I don’t have the exact miles but we did about three days of grading.
That is it.”
Public Works Chairwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “Does anyone have any questions?”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “It was a very texting situation with the amount of snow
that we had and the shutdowns. Basically I want to commend you all for doing what you
did and the citizens for not getting on the highway at that time and listening to the
authorities to keep them safe. This was unprecedented as well as anybody knows but it is
a learning curb that we have and again I want to commend you guys for what you all
did.”

Public Works Director Barry Soileau stated, “I want to also add that everyone that I
called at the Road Districts assisted me without hesitation and I want to thank them for
doing that because we worked as a team and they came when we called them. We work
well together as a parish.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “Councilman I will agree.”
A motion was made by Councilman Jimmie Edwards, seconded by Councilman Wayne
Ardoin to accept the Public Works Report.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin,
and Jimmie Edwards. NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.

Discuss creating an Ordinance to amend the speed limit on Compress Road. The
speed limit in the school zone should be 20 mph within 500 feet on each end of the
schools property. A sign should be placed at each end. (Councilwoman Mildred
Thierry).
Councilwoman Mildred Thierry stated, “I would like to forward this to the full council
to amend the speed limit ordinance on Compress Road to where it will state 20 mph
within the school zone. Within 500 feet of each end of the school property and a sign
will be placed.
Public Works Chairwoman Nancy Carriere questioned, “Ms. Thierry would you like to
include a certain time or all day.”
Councilwoman Mildred Thierry stated, “No, No time. All day. I had that discussion
with Barry. Sometimes you may have activities going on after hours.”
A motion was made by Councilwoman Mildred Thierry, seconded by Councilman Alvin
Stelly to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, February 19

th, 2025 to
authorize Legal Counsel to create an Ordinance to amend the speed limit on Compress
Road. The speed limit in the school zone should be 20 mph within 500 feet on each end
of the schools property. A sign should be placed at each end.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin,
and Jimmie Edwards NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.

Update on cleaning Bayou Carron. (Councilwoman Mildred Thierry).
Councilwoman Mildred Thierry stated, “Mr. Bellard, where are we with that? I know
several times it had been approved but we never did make it to the next phase.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “We started on Bayou Mallet a couple of weeks
back. They are in that portion right now and they are going to go to Bayou Carron
shortly after this is done. It is in the process and it is getting done. The contractors are
ready to go.”
Councilwoman Mildred Thierry stated, “Okay, Thank you.”
Discuss and forward to Full Council the donation of Parish Adjudicated Property at
the corner of Pernie Bailey Road and Highway 190 to District 6 Public Works
commission.
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “That is something that I wanted to discuss if I can get
the floor. Our District 6 Public Works had approached us on the possibility of taking a
look in our parish for property and accessibility that they can take a look at for possibly
purchasing down the road. I did call the Parish President Jessie Bellard about that
initially and the Chairman for the District, Jason Fritzgerald and I reached out to our
lawyer to start researching the property as a Feasibility Study and see if we can go

forward with it. I don’t know if you want to offer anything now but we are still in the
process I guess.”
Legal Counsel Garett Duplechain stated, “So the council needs to forward this to the
Full Council Meeting on February 19th, 2025 and vote to go forward with it. It has been
entailed for an Ordinance to convey the ownership of the property to that commission for
a public purpose, so you can do this for a public purpose, and also it will entail an
Intergovernmental Agreement between the Parish Government and that Commission for a
public purpose. It is adjudicated property and you can donate adjudicated property. A
notice will go out to the newspaper and a letter to the former owners who lost it notifying
them that they have 60 days to redeem it if they can. Our Council Clerk and I take care
of that, we know how to do that. It was adjudicated to St. Landry Parish Government in
1993 so I don’t think they are going to redeem it or not. It was owned by Estee K.
Industries. The end of the process is a no warranty active donation where the ownership
would be transferred. The only thing that the parish government warranties is that it
won’t lose it because it was alienated before the conveyance but it is by statue and by
donation a non-warranty act of donation and that is how the process finishes whenever
this property is going to be donated to the commission for a public purpose. We will
begin this on February 19th, and you have to give them 60 days to redeem it. In 3 months
it will end with an ordinance and an Act of Donation. It is just like whenever we had the
property on Bernice Street, the City of Opelousas that we donated to the city for that
sewage treatment plant. It is the same thing only this is adjudicated property.”
Councilman Ken Marks questioned, “Ms. Cynthia, were you aware of that particular
property prior to tonight or are you just hearing about it now?”
Ms. Cynthia Joubert stated, “No Sir, I am aware.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “Jessie do you have anything that you want to say.”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “We have these liens against the property. We
send letters to DEQ to get these liens released. Until that happens I don’t think that we
take ownership of it because we don’t want to have those liens. I think that we will be
okay.”
Councilman Ken Marks stated, “Okay, sounds great. It is about 6.5 acers. The locations
is being asked about. It is at the corner of HWY 190 and Pernie Bailey Road which is
just east of Port Barre. Once you leave the caution light on the left.”
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilman Alvin
Stelly to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, February 19th
, 2025
authorizing Legal Counsel Garett Duplechain to create an ordinance to donate Parish
Adjudicated Property at the Corner of Pernie Bailey Road and HWY 190 to District 6
Public Works Commission.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin,
and Jimmie Edwards NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.

Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for five appointments to the St. Landry
Parish Waterworks District No. 5 for a three-year term. (4-21-2025 -04-21-2028).
A motion was made by Councilwoman Mildred Thierry, seconded by Councilman
Jimmie Edwards to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, February 19th, 2025
to authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for five appointments to the St. Landry Parish
Waterworks District No. 5 for a three-year term. (04-21-2025 – 04-21-2028).
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin,
and Jimmie Edwards NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
Authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for two appointments to Ward Two
Gravity Drainage District No. 1 for a four-year term. (04-19-2025 – 04-19-2029).

A motion was made by Councilwoman Mildred Thierry, seconded by Councilman
Jimmie Edwards to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, February 19th, 2025
to authorize the Council Clerk to advertise for two appointments to Ward Two Gravity
Drainage District No. 1 for a four-year term. (04-21-2025 – 04-21-2029).
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin,
and Jimmie Edwards NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.

Forward all applications received for one appointment to Ward 3 Consolidated
Gravity Drainage District No. 1 for the remainder of a four-year term. James Keith
Richard has resigned. (12-21-2024 – 12-21-2028).
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilwoman Mildred
Thierry to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, February 19th, 2025 all
applications received for one appointment to Ward 3 Consolidated Gravity Drainage
District No. 1 for the remainder of a four-year term. (12-21-2024 – 12-21-2028).
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin,
and Jimmie Edwards NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
Authorize the Council Clerk to send a certified letter to Joseph Hayes III and
Elizabeth Jones advising them to come and address the council regarding debris
removal on the property located at 190 Veterans Drive Opelousas, LA 70570.
Parcel No. 0104946000.
A motion was made by Councilman Jimmie Edwards, seconded by Councilwoman
Mildred Thierry to forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, February 19th, 2025
to authorize the Council Clerk to send a certified letter to Joseph Hayes III and Elizabeth
Jones advising them to come and address the council regarding debris removal on the
property located at 190 Veterans Dive, Opelousas, LA 70570. Parcel No. 0104946000.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin,
and Jimmie Edwards NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
Discuss any other business properly brought before this committee.
Cynthia Fontenot Code Enforcement Officer stated, “We had that additional property.
It is Parcel No. 0105083000. The physical address is 154 Tesson Street. You will see in
your packet that Parish Government is requesting at this time that the council will send
notice to the property owner. In reference to the Tesson Street I did do some research
and the parties are deceased but we have to go through the process. You will also see the
photographs attached.”
A motion was made by Councilman Wayne Ardoin, seconded by Councilwoman Mildred
Thierry for forward to Regular Meeting held on Wednesday, February 19th, 2025 to
authorize the Council Clerk to send a certified letter to 154 Tesson Street, Parcel No.
0105083000.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin,
and Jimmie Edwards NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion forwarded.
Councilman Wayne Ardoin questioned, “Ms. Cynthia Joubert, how are you all coming
along with Mayflower?”
Ms. Cynthia Joubert stated, “That is scheduled for tomorrow morning at 7:30 a.m.”
Councilman Wayne Ardoin stated, “Thank you very much.”
Councilwoman Mildred Thierry questioned, I would like to mention that I have been
having conversations and over hearing conversations about the broadband and the side
roads about when are they ever going to get to them. We don’t have the answer for that

but they can google Louisiana Broad Band Maps and you will find the maps for the State
of Louisiana and possibly find your road on that map and you will know more
information than what you have now. I just wanted to say that. You can google
Louisiana Broad Band Map.”
Councilman Dexter Brown stated, “I want to say thank you to the residents of St. Landry
Parish for following the warnings from our snow week that we had about staying off of
the roads. We minimized the accidents even though we had our Parish President on
motor grader clearing off the ice and all of that but I just wanted to thank all of the
residents for adhering to the warning of staying off of the roads. I would like to thank all
of the local municipalities for assisting. I would like to thank the Law Enforcement
Officials, the Louisiana DOTD and especially the Governor Mr. Jeff Landry for all of the
resources that he put out to keep everyone safe and clearing the roadways. I would like
to thank all parties involved.”
Councilman Timmy Lejeune. I would like to make sure that we understand that our staff
at St. Landry Parish Government did a fabulous job. Thank you all very much.”
Councilwoman Mildred Thierry stated, “Let’s not forget our very own Mr. Bellard and
his team. They did an excellent job. They were out there in the weather when we were
in the comfort of our own homes. To everyone, not just parish government, not just
St. Landry Parish but everyone who played a role of helping to make sure that the people
were safe, we thank you, job well done.”
Public Works Chairwoman Nancy Carriere questioned, “Mr. Bellard, how many people
were in the Shelter?”
Parish President Jessie Bellard stated, “37.”
Public Works Chairwoman Nancy Carriere stated, “Are there any other questions? Roll
Call Ms. Sherell.”

Adjourn.
A motion was made by Councilman Jimmie Edwards, seconded by Councilman Wayne
Ardoin adjourn the Public Works Committee.
On roll call vote: YEAS: Mildred Thierry, Alvin Stelly, Vivian Olivier, Wayne Ardoin,
and Jimmie Edwards NAYS: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAINED: None.
Motion carried.

I HEREBY CERTIFY THE FOREGOING TO BE EXACT AND TRUE

SHERELL JORDAN, COUNCIL CLERK
KAREN BARLOW, ASSISTANT CLERK

XIII. ADJOURN