Patterson council looks for ways to tighten budget

PATTERSON — The City Council starts the new year with a budget hole that seems likely to make overtime harder to get for city employees, bring increased scrutiny for purchases and, maybe, lead to a return to a 36-hour work week.
At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Chief Financial Officer Reginald Weary delivered the news: six months into the 2024 budget year, what was supposed to be $489,000 year-end surplus is now projected to be a $367,000 shortfall.
City governments are required to amend their budgets when major funds stray from the budget by 5% or more. So the budget will have to be amended, and so may the way the city government operates.
Engineering expenses accounted for the biggest single piece of the unexpected expenses, about $355,000.
Patterson did well in the Legislature’s capital outlay budget last session. The lawmakers earmarked $5 million for upgrades in its new water plant and about $2.4 million for upgrades in nine sewer system pump stations.
A federal grant is funding improvements in the city’s natural gas system.
But along with the state money came the need to draw up plans for the work. The bill for the engineering on the water plant improvements alone, covering work done over the last two years, was for more than $200,000 and was presented when the funding became available.
The water plant currently lacks enough storage, so the plant must run more frequently, increasing personnel and chemical costs. There are also leaks that lead to the loss of treated water.
The upgrade now underway includes storage.
The overtime associated with the water plant, and across other city departments, was also a concern Tuesday. Weary said overtime has cost the city about $60,000 through the first six months of the budget year.
Councilwoman Miranda Weinbach asked whether shifts could be staggered to avoid overtime at the water plant.
“I think it’s better than what we’re facing,” Councilman Ray Dewey Sr. said, “and what we’re facing is layoffs.”
Mayor Rodney Grogan raised the possibility of putting city employees on a 36-hour work week.
City employees were on 36-hour weeks until two years ago, Weary said, when the 40-hour work week was put back in place for everyone outside the administrative department. Employees there continued to work 36-hour weeks.
Weary also suggested putting aside 2% of utility revenue in a contingency fund.
Dewey and colleagues Mamie Perry and DeMale Bowden volunteered to serve as a budget committee to work with Grogan and Weary on budget solutions.
Grogan also encouraged Weary to scrutinize city spending. Weary said he’ll be back with a proposed budget amendment at the February council meeting.
Also Tuesday:
—The council approved the appointment of Charles McKinney to the Patterson Housing Authority Board. He will succeed the Rev. Richelle Castine, who is stepping down.
—The council approved plans for the New Age of Patterson Martin Luther King Day march Monday.
A King Day program is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Monday at New Salem Baptist Church, 1412 Cherry St., followed by the march to the Cherry Street Park.
—The council approved plans for the Krewe of Amani Lundi Gras parade at 2 p.m. Feb. 12, followed by a block party until 5:30 p.m.
—The council passed a resolution of respect for Joseph Foulcard, who served on the St. Mary Parish School Board for 28 years before his death Dec. 9.