Morgan City Council passes budget, considers mosquito fee hike

Completion of a $12 million upgrade to the city water plant and targeted work on a 17-mile network of bike and walking trails are features of the city’s 2026 fiscal year budget, along with a 2% raise for all city employees.
Mayor Lee Dragna relayed the news Tuesday after the City Council formally adopted the 2026 fiscal year budget, which calls for $63.7 million in revenues and $65.9 million in expenditures, in a fiscal plan where federal funds have a big impact, along with a natural gas system upgrade project.
“We’re busy now, and will be busier next year with many moving parts and working projects. And not to worry, we were awarded the federal funds long before the shutdown, so none of our projects will be affected,” Dragna said.
The mayor said the bike trail has four components, one of which will follow Front Street to South Louisiana Community College (Young Memorial) to the auditorium, allowing students as well as bicyclists to travel safely.
It’s a project that began in 2018 with a $100,000 grant St Mary Excel obtained from the H & B Young Foundation. Funds from a $16.7 million grant under the federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity will complete the project, which will include handicap access, bike lanes, trees and lighting.
The 2% raise will bring smiles to 195 full-time and 31 part-time employees. Those who have at least a year on the job will get the cost of living adjustment, at a cost to the city of $152,808.
A hotel occupancy tax that began in 2023 will also bring in an estimated $188,595 for increasing tourism and economic developments.
In other business, the council introduced an ordinance to raise mosquito abatement fees from $2 to $3.50 per month, an increase of 75%.
Dragna said inflation is the biggest culprit for the rate hike, explaining the cost of chemicals is five times more than what they were when he took office.
“I also inherited a mess,” Dragna said. “Broken vehicles that are in constant need of repair.”
Additionally, the mayor said a need to double back on spraying neighborhoods is also an issue.
“Morgan City is so concentrated,” Dragna said. “I know people hear the mosquito truck, because I do from inside my house. Still, many don’t go inside, so we have to pass up that street, and pass later when no one is around.”
The rate hike was challenged by Jean Paul Bourg, a Third Street homeowner who formerly worked for the city and was the first to create the city’s in-house mosquito program under the administration of former Mayor Frank Grizzaffi.
“I’m a little confused,” Bourg said. “When [we] operated the program, we were always able to operate under budget. …
“The hike should generate at least an additional $120,000 to a charge that already generates at least $150,000,” Bourg said.
“Inflation,” Dragna replied. “We’ve charged this same rate for the past 20 years. There has never been any change due to rising costs.”
Bourg still pressed the issue, asking if the city has more wiggle room in its general fund, especially in the wake of voters last year approving a millage tax for salaries and training for police and firemen.
Bourg asked what the city is doing with extra funds being collected, in view of the fact that the tax is projected to generate an annual $1.2 million instead of the $400,000 that was originally anticipated.
The mayor said that surplus will be used to continue to fund first responder raises after the first 10 years of the tax, because at that point, mathematics show the millage will be in a deficit, due to the city’s practice of awarding an annual 2% pay increase.
“I know it’s only a $1.50 increase,” Bourg said. “I just ask that before you guys pitch a rate increase, you consider line item costs. For instance, are you purchasing concentrated chemicals? Because they’re cheaper than mixing your own.”
Bourg also pointed out that the parish operates its in-house program with four trucks and twice-per-week sprays. And he said the town of Baldwin is the only municipality that charges more than $2 per month for mosquito abatement.
“Baldwin charges $4 per month to combat mosquitoes. Everyone else, including the parish, charges $2.”