The Latest

Vermilionville foundation, board feud over grant money
Tension between the organizations, simmering over the last two years, could end their cooperation.

COLUMN: How do we budget for LCG’s drainage follies?
There has been no public accounting of how much three drainage lawsuits could ultimately cost. The cases could blow multimillion-dollar holes in LCG’s budget.

Council chairs seek to clarify M-P’s request for AG opinion on interim appointment
The councils’ letter sticks them in line for a response from the AG. Without it, Guillory could have withdrawn his request should the opinion be unfavorable.

Council Preview: $1 million for Heymann Park; service contracts with Youngsville and Broussard
Here is a selection of items on the agendas for this week’s meetings of the City and Parish councils.

With Guillory away, Lafayette councils weigh appointment of acting M-P
The gist: Council members attempted to name an acting replacement for Mayor-President Josh Guillory while he’s in rehab. The administration resisted.

Community fridges, gardens sprout in Lafayette’s food deserts
Grocery stores big and small have vacated Lafayette’s urban core. Local organizations are stepping in to fill gaps in the food supply chain and address the central challenge: access at the neighborhood level.

Inflation, (big) raises and deficits: Five numbers to track in Lafayette’s proposed budget
LCG’s last two budget cycles were mirror images. M-P Josh Guillory’s first budget was notable for its cuts, his second for its spending. And this one? Maybe a reckoning of the two.

Take control of Lafayette’s budget in four easy steps
Engaging in this budget-making process can be daunting. It doesn’t have to be.

Ryan Rogers put down his drink and picked up a new career
His first album, out later this month, caps a whirlwind year launching the former ad-man’s career in comedy. He kicked off his rapid rise with a decision to kick drugs and alcohol.

Louisiana disinvited as honored guest to Belgian festival over abortion ban
A delegation to the festival was set to include legislators, the lieutenant governor and reps from Lafayette Consolidated Government, CODOFIL and the Office of Culture, Recreation and Tourism.

7/19/22 Council Preview: Budget season kickoff; M-P offers plan for new jail; $250K for a skate park; $1M for new shelter
Here is a selection of items on the agendas for this week’s meetings of the City and Parish councils.

Ruling on Louisiana abortion ban expected Tuesday
A temporary restraining order preventing Louisiana’s abortion ban from being enforced will remain in effect pending a decision.
Mostly Relevant Reads
Health officials at the state and local level say Louisiana’s meager vaccine supply will leave the state vulnerable to a large monkeypox outbreak following such a massive event.
Source: LA Illuminator
Lafayette Parish Council Finance Committee Chairman Kevin Naquin wants to remove from the proposed 2022-23 budget large pay raises for directors and other non civil service employees of Lafayette Consolidated Government.
Mayor-President Josh Guillory proposed pay raises in excess of $30,000 for some administrators who serve at his pleasure. Also in the proposed budget are raises between $8,000 and $20,000 for council administrative staff.
Source: The Advocate
But Dr. Tina Stefanski, regional medical director for the LDH District 4 Office of Public Health, which covers most of Acadiana, said monkeypox is not easily transmittable and suggested that people be careful but not overly concerned.
Source: The Advocate
The appellate court’s ruling reverses a ruling by a Lafayette judge who found LCG failed to prove the detention pond project was conceived using “best modern practices,” which is required under state law.
That requirement became central to Lafayette Judge Michelle Breaux’s October ruling in favor of the Randol family.
Source: The Advertiser
Under the five-year agreement, the city of Lafayette will pay UL $450,000 in the first three years to operate the museum. The first year, Lafayette is obligated to pay $150,000, the second year $200,000 and the third year $100,000.
Source: The Advocate
From 2020 to the end of the second quarter, they’ll have reaped more than $85 billion, according to estimates, and the gains are forecast to continue at least through the rest of this year.
It’s a vindication of the sector’s new business model that prizes profits over production growth. For consumers, it’s a sign that shale is no longer willing to fund money-losing drilling projects that ensured years of ample crude and natural gas supplies.
Source: Bloomberg
Community Agenda 2022
Budget
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