Photograph: Opelousas Mayor Julius Alsandor and City Attorney Travis Broussard (Photograph by Bobby Ardoin.)
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
Elected city officials might have their own plans for spending an approximate $2.9 that remains in American Rescue Act revenues, but Opelousas Mayor Julius Alsandor says the money should be spent on infrastructure projects that he contends are long overdue.
Alsandor addressed the issue of how to potentially appropriate the second phase of the COVID federal funding package during an Opelousas Board of Aldermen meeting last week.
The city Alsandor said, hasn’t touched the remaining revenues that he said are currently bank deposited and drawing 5.7 percent interest as he awaits to present an allocation proposal that will eventually be approved by the five-member Board.
Alsandor also reminded the Board that $500,000 in revenues have already been dedicated to help fund Phase 1 improvements associated with South City Park.
What’s important to remember Alsandor told the Board, is the city needs to upgrade a sewer system that has received little maintenance attention since 1989 and water plant upgrades that have remain unaddressed since 1997.
At this point the city, said Alsandor, has to also continue working with the state Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Environmental Quality and the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals as those agencies monitor the city response to water and sewerage upgrades and treatments.
“Our water and sewer systems need some work. We have neglected this and we are going to have to address it. The city cannot maintain (the costs). We do not have the revenue base for that,” Alsandor said.
The city also needs to consider projected expansion near the Guilbeau Road and Interstate 49 interchange where a large residential housing is planned.
Last year the city benefitted from a new pumping station that will assist water for the area.
However Alsandor said that eventually a new fire station will have to be constructed to service that growing area.
“The substation will be needed because of the response time involved,” said Alsandor.
Alderwoman Delita Rubin Broussard questioned the substation proposal. Broussard said she is also concerned about hiring firefighters due to low base salaries.
“Who’s going to run it? Are we going to build it and that’s it?” Broussard said.
Alderman-at-Large Marvin Richard said the city should also consider using some of the ARA revenues to enhance firefighters’ salaries.
The Board approved a one percent raise for firefighters which boosts their base pay rate to $10.50 per hour.
Former interim fire chief Richard Joseph had asked the Aldermen in March to approve a $1.50 per-hour raise.
“We have firefighters that are quitting. If we don’t have firemen then we are going to be in trouble. We’ve been kicking the bucket around too long on this,” Richard said.
Alsandor said at some point the city officials will get to review his infrastructure plan that won’t be implemented without their approval.
“Right now we have infrastructure needs. When a plan is presented (by the administration), if (the Board) wants to do something different, then those matters can be discussed,” Alsandor said.
Alderman-At-Large Marvin Richard (Photograph by Bobby Ardoin.)
