Central Budget Increases Approved; Public Participation Laws Violated

    Mayor Shelton’s $5.7 million City of Central 2016/2017 operating budget, a 12% ($600,000) increase over current year expenditures, was approved at Tuesday’s Council meeting.  The process violated two state law provisions to allow public participation in plans to spend taxpayer dollars.
    In the “Louisiana Local Government Budget Act,” state law requires that the city publish an official notice ten days prior to the budget hearing.  The notice must state that the proposed budget is available for viewing at the Mayor’s office, and give the date, time and location of a public hearing for citizens to publicly comment on the budget.
    The city failed to timely publish the notice, and the late notice did not inform citizens of their right to inspect the budget or where the budget could be viewed.  In addition, language required by state law to be included in the budget ordinance is missing.
    Central Speaks contacted Mayor Shelton and the City Council for comment after the vote, detailing the departures from state law.  The Mayor responded “I absolutely believe your contentions are faulty, incorrect and in error.”  Several Council Members responded and advised that the matter has been referred to Central’s City Attorney for opinion and possible corrective action.
    In public comment at Tuesday’s Council meeting, prior to the vote, a citizen spoke and advised the Mayor and Council that there had not been the required public participation to allow a vote on the budget.  After deliberation and several amendments by the Council, the budget was passed unanimously.
    As of the Council vote on Tuesday, Central’s citizens had not received the required public notice of when and where the budget could be viewed and, although it is not legally required, the budget was also not available on the city’s website.  As a result, citizens were on social media in the days leading up to the vote asking how to view a copy of the budget and expressing frustration over the lack of information.