The gist: 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.
$705 million: This year’s total appropriation. It’s a $70 million increase over 2021. Inflated energy costs for power production and ARPA spending account for most of the bump.
$255,000: The total in raises proposed for M-P Josh Guillory’s staff. Among them CAO Cydra Wingerter ($172,500, a $32,000 bump), CFO Lorrie Toups ($198,000, a $35,000 bump) and several directors.
$3.2 million: LUS Fiber’s first-ever ILOT contribution to the city general fund. Without it, the city’s projected $29,000 operating deficit would be more than $3.2 million.
$1 million: The projected balance for the perennially cash-strapped parish general fund. The budget plans $3.4 million in deficit spending on the parish side of the ledger.
$0: Guillory’s budget exhausts all city ARPA funds with a list of notable projects: $3.1 million to update Jefferson Street, $550,000 for AcA’s music museum, $1 million for a food desert initiative and another $3 million for stormwater detention projects.
What to watch for. Haggling over pay raises, for one. LCG is running a deficit and just paid out 2% raises for its entire workforce. Plus, Guillory is asking the City Council to approve salaries it previously rejected, namely for the police chief and LUS Fiber director.
News + Notes
State freezes $15M in dispute over LCG retirement
Billed as a way to save millions, LCG’s withdrawal from the state municipal pension system has been a drawn-out, messy affair that’s now headed for court.
City Council passes Guillory investigation to legislative auditor
The council’s contracted auditor turned over its findings, which will remain confidential until and unless the LLA decides to release them.
Registration requirements likely for Lafayette short-term rentals
Requiring short-term rentals to register with the city is a likely compromise, but operators and opponents remain divided on restrictions like conditional permitting.