City budget discussed at meeting

By Howell Dennis

CITY EDITOR

CROWLEY – In what Mayor Greg Jones called a “suggestion gathering and fact-finding meeting”, the Crowley city council met for a special session Monday morning to discuss the city’s budget. The budget has been stretched due to several ongoing projects and the obvious rising cost of fuel, insurance, and charges paid to people who perform services for the city. The council will meet again sometime next week to continue their discussion on the matter.

Kitty Valdetero began the meeting by listing several facts which have affected Crowley’s budget such as the national slowdown of the economy and the rising cost of fuel and utilities. This year’s budget is the single greatest one-year increase over the previous year ever.

“Last year $1.7 million more was spent than we budgeted,” she said.

Judy Istre then listed several projects which went over the projected budget for differing unforeseen reasons. Jones specifically pointed out the Avenue D bridge as an example.

“This was a bridge that we thought just needed some minor piling work,” he said. “Now it turns out to have more damage than we initially thought and it’s going to end up costing us much more than anticipated.”

Several council members voiced their suggestions.

Alderman Vernon Martin asked about the possibility of talking to some of the businesses that work for the city of Crowley.

“Maybe we can get with people such as the plumbers and wrecking services who do work for us,” said Martin. “Let them know that if they want to do business with the city of Crowley they need to give us a break.”

Council members Valdetero and Steven Premeaux agreed that some form of negotiation could help the city save money.

Valdetero remembered a rough period in the early 80’s when the city had to layoff many city workers, though it was emphasized that the city is nowhere near that point.

“I’m just encouraged to see so many people here to discuss this issue because it really is important,” she added.