Mayor Vetoes Bigger Government- Supports Districts, Divisions or At Large, Encourages Compromise

Mayor Mac Watts issued a letter Thursday formally vetoing the City Council’s 3-2 vote to increase the size of Central’s City Council.  Reached for a statement, the Mayor shared, “I can support a decision of the Council to change to Districts or Divisions, but I cannot approve an ordinance increasing the size and cost of government on such a split vote of the Council.  If the Council will reach a compromise or put this to a vote of the people, I will support that decision.” The entire text of the Mayor’s letter follows:

Since the incorporation of the City of Central in July of 2005, the appointed and elected Council members have worked tirelessly to establish an efficient government for the City of Central. Together, we have created a streamlined government through the utilization of public private partnerships and partnerships with other governmental entities for services such as animal control, fire protection, garbage collection, public safety and public sewer. 

Through public private partnerships and partnerships with other governmental entities, Central has been able to increase services to its residents without many of the revenue sources available to other municipalities. Unlike many other municipalities, Central does not levy ad valorem taxes, receive franchise fees from the gas or water utility companies operating within the city limits or any revenue producing utility. 

During a period when many other municipalities have experienced decreasing fund balances and reductions in services, we have grown our fund balance and increased services. Through the collaborative efforts of the Council, my administration, the City-Parish, state officials and citizens who have volunteered their time and expertise, additional funds have been made available for road improvements, drainage improvements and acquisition of equipment to enhance public safety. I believe these collaborative efforts to improve and to maintain our infrastructure are vital to the future economic growth necessary to sustain the operations of the City of Central and the Central Community School System. 

While other municipalities are often cited as comparisons, there is no true comparison in the state of Louisiana to the City of Central. Central is the only municipality which provides the majority of its services through a public private partnership thereby, simplifying government.  Our simplified budget, insulated from the impact of fluctuations in costs of retirement, health care, labor, fuel and other goods, has enabled Central to continue to operate with a very small administrative staff and a council of five members. 

The members of the Central Council have been hard-working, ambitious and set a record which we can all be proud of; however, I fear that the decision to fundamentally change the organization of our city government by increasing the size of the Council would erode the trust which our citizens have placed in us. 

I want to personally thank all of the citizens who participated in the hearings concerning the council districts and Councilman Messina who chaired the committee; however, the process has made it clear to me that there are varying opinions on the appropriate composition and election system for the Council. I believe that a decision as important as increasing the size of the Council should be decided by the citizens or a super majority of the Council. 

For these reasons, I have vetoed the Proposed Ordinance increasing the Council from five to seven members and hereby return it to you. It is my hope that we can all move forward together on other matters which will enable the Central to grow and prosper.

Sincerely,
Mayor Shelton “Mac” Watts