Grants will add green to Morgan City's 2027 budget

The Morgan City Council on Tuesday got a look at a proposed 2027 budget that anticipates a boost from capital improvement grants next year.
The council took no action on the budget Tuesday. Members are planning a budget workshop before adoption.
The city expects to take in about $67.7 million next year, up about $3.4 million from the 2026 budget. Revenue includes a federal natural gas distribution grant and Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursements.
The biggest single sources of revenue are expected to be $12.9 million from taxes, up from $12.4 million budgeted this year, and $31.4 million in utility operations, up about $25,000 from 2026.
Expenses are expected to total $64.1 million, including $23.3 million for utility operations and $13.9 million for capital projects.
The city payroll includes 190 full-time and 25 part-time employees. Workers with at least a year of service will get a 2% raise at a cost to the city of about $160,000.
The 2% hotel occupancy tax enacted in 2023 and reauthorized Tuesday will bring in $218,600 for tourism and economic development:
Also Tuesday:
•The council passed ordinances to complete the purchase of a new home for Morgan City Court juvenile programs at 7343 La. 182 East and the former St. Mary Chamber of Commerce office at 727 Myrtle St.
The $378,000 price for the juvenile office will ultimately come from a fee collected on city court cases.
The city is buying back the Chamber office for $25,000 for use by the Recreation Department.
•The council passed an ordinance establishing procedures for public records requests. It designates the chief administrative officer as the contact point for most requests.
The ordinance also allows for the charging of fees for copies of records, although records may be examined for free.
•The council designated four blighted properties for condemnation or demolition, and granted delays for two other properties with some prospect for rehabilitation.
The four properties marked for condemnation or demolition are at 1414 N. Third, 305 Lawrence, 519 Bowman and 521 Bowman.
A targeted property at 113 Poncio has a prospective buyer, and the owner of a club at 114 Poncio is seeking a grant to fix the building. The council allowed time for those outcomes.
•The council moved up its meeting dates in November and December to avoid conflicts with the holidays. The November meeting will be Nov. 17, and the December meeting will be Dec. 15. Meetings are usually held every fourth Tuesday.
•The council passed a resolution making October Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The proclamation came at the request of Chez Hope, which operates domestic violence shelters in Franklin and Iberia Parish.
•The council approved plans for the fifth Swamp Pop Fest on May 1 at Mama G’s, 7540 La. 182 East. The event raises money for special needs children.
The 11 a.m.-10 p.m. performances include music by Don Rich, Junior Lacrosse, Waylon Thibodeaux, Petty Betty, and Ryan Foret and Foret Tradition.