Eco. Dev. budget argued

The Acadia Parish Police Jury refused to reinstate the parish economic development budget to previous years’ totals until its auditors have a chance to scour the full budget.

A delegation of 10 representatives of the Crowley and Rayne chambers of commerce, OneAcadia and the Church Point Community Development Corp. appeared before the jury Tuesday to request that the $75,000 cut from economic development for 2015 be reinstated.

Peggy Romero, parish budgeting director explained the funding was transferred to pay for the housing of prisoners that have been moved to other parishes due to overcrowding at the parish jail.

Kim Bernard, speaking for the groups from across the parish, pointed out that now is not the time for a cut in economic development funding.

“Acadia Parish is in a prime location to position itself for economic growth as Southwest Louisiana begins to boom due to liquefied natural gas exports and the oil and gas segment in the Lafayette region continues to surge,” she said. “Economic growth in Louisiana along the I-10 corridor is at a pivotal point.”

She added that surrounding parishes boast economic development budgets ranging from $100,000 in Iberia Parish to $3 million in Lafayette. 

But jurors, with the exception of Alton Stevenson, who moved to reinstated the full $100,000 — a motion that died for lack of a second — were adamant that there simply is no funding available.

“We can amend the budget later in the year if we see that we need it,” explained President David Savoy.

But the group added that, if only for appearances sake, it would be better to reinstate the line item now then “amend the money out” later if necessary.

“What does that say to a business when they see that Acadia Parish has budgeted only $25,000 for economic development?” Bernard asked.

Isabella delaHoussaye, member of the Crowley Chamber, suggested getting the auditors involved.

“In my 44 years in Crowley I have never seen the opportunities I’m seeing now,” she said. “If we ever fund economic development, this is the time and we have to do it.”

No time schedule was set for a meeting with the parish auditors. 

However, the 2015 budget is scheduled for adoption following a public hearing at the Dec. 9 meeting.