PAGE 063-2015

MINUTES OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING

WEBSTER PARISH POLICE JURY

December 1, 2015 – 9:00 a.m.

MEMBERS:  Jim Bonsall, President; Vera Davison, Vice-President; Jerri Lee, Allen Gilbert, Steve Lemmons, Bruce Blanton, Steve Ramsey, Daniel Thomas, Perry Kirkland, Charles Odom, Randy Thomas.

MEMBER ABSENT:  Dorthy Walker

Mr. Jim Bonsall called the meeting to order and asked Mrs. Jerri Lee to open with prayer.

Mr. Bonsall then asked for additions to the agenda. 

Mr. Allen Gilbert moved, seconded by Mr. Daniel Thomas to add to the agenda:  Cullen Museum.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Charles Odom moved, seconded by Mr. Daniel Thomas to add to the agenda:  Landfill.  Motion carried unanimously.

There were no audience comments.

The first item on the agenda is review of the 2016 operating budget of the Webster Parish Police Jury.  Mrs. Ronda Carnahan presented the budget for review.  Items included in the 2016 budget are:

• The 2016 budget is $25,578,184.00
• Salaries:  a 2.5% COL raise is figured into the budget for 2016 for the Police Jury employees (includes the PJ office, Courthouse maintenance staff, and Road Department)
• In public works, new equipment purchases include:  2 Tractors with boom mowers, and a Rubber tire packer for a total line item of $300,000.00
• Right of way Mowing line item increased to $300,000.00
• Most line item funding in the General fund will remain the same as previous year with the stipulation that Arts and Museum recipients will be notified that there will be a decrease in funding for the year 2017.
• Capital Outlay for Courthouse Renovation has increased the budget by $1.2 Million. 
• The New Library Bond Issue has increased the budget.
• Ward Court expense has increased significantly due to increased expense in the Minden City Court and Juvenile housing cost.
• Criminal Court funding is down almost $100,000.00 in fines and court cost therefore has caused an increase in the amount paid out of Police Jury General Funds for operation of the DA and 26^thJDC.
• Registrar of Voters/Election expense has increased due to early voting electronics.
• Landfill royalties may be reduced due to the drop in the oil producing sites, the landfill is no longer receiving Industrial waste.

There was discussion concerning the Right of Way mowing, Contract mowing versus in house mowing.  Bids will be opened this month for Contract Mowing.

There was discussion concerning funding for a museum in the Town of Cullen.

Mr. Charles Odom moved, seconded by Mr. Allen Gilbert to move the $25,000.00 from Arts and Museum from the Dorcheat Museum and fund the Cullen Museum.  Motion:

Yes:  C. Odom, A. Gilbert, D. Thomas, P. Kirkland, and B. Blanton

No:  J. Lee, R. Thomas, S. Ramsey, S. Lemmons, V. Davison, and J. Bonsall; Absent: D. Walker

The motion did not pass.

Mr. Charles Odom asked that the budget be amended in January if Trail of Lights is now represented by the WP Visitor and Convention Bureau.

Mr. Steve Ramsey moved, seconded by Mr. Randy Thomas to approve the budget and to present the budget to the Jury for approval.  Motion carried

Yes: 10; No: Odom; Absent: D. Walker.

There being no further business to bring before the committee,

Ronda C. Carnahan                                                                   Jim Bonsall

Secretary-Treasurer                                                                   Chairman