Proposed Berwick budget adds two police officers

BERWICK — The Town Council on Tuesday moved toward passing a budget that would mean two more officers for the Police Department.
But the council took a pass on participation in a massive class-action lawsuit involving water contamination by a potentially hazardous chemical. Members are leaving that decision to the commission that provides water to Berwick and Bayou Vista.
The budget ordinance was introduced without objection Tuesday. The original ordinance included funding for one additional police officer to take on the duties once performed by an officer now assigned to school resource duty.
The St. Mary Parish School Board has provided funding to add school resource officers in municipalities and communities with schools across the parish.
Councilman Lud Henry said budget meetings had included discussion about adding yet another officer at a cost of about $100,000 annually. After a brief discussion, the council voted to amend the budget ordinance to add the second officer.
The budget for 2023-24 anticipates about $6.9 million in revenue, or about 8.2% less than this year. The town government is budgeting about 1.4% less in tax and franchise fee revenue and 20% less in return on investments.
The biggest portion of the 8.2% decrease comes from a drop in intergovernmental revenue, which includes state funding, of about $935,000. The decrease reflects grant-funding money spent on work that is complete.
Next year’s spending is expected to total $5.2 million, down 14.7% this year. That’s despite a $199,000 boost for the Volunteer Fire Department to about $375,000.
The budget would leave Berwick with a year-end balance of just more than $4 million. Auditors often recommend maintaining a big enough balance to handle two months of expenditures. The Berwick balance would cover more than nine months.
Chief Administrative Officer Newell “Bubba” Slaughter said the budget anticipates no changes in services or personnel other than the two police officers.
Lawsuit
Mayor Duval Arthur said Wednesday that the council, meeting in a closed-door session, decided not to take part in the lawsuit over PFAs. That’s a class of chemical that has turned up in trace amounts in local water supplies.
PFAs have been used in firefighting foam, fabric treatment and nonstick cookware. They’ve been linked to health problems that include cancer.
Attorneys representing plaintiffs and 3M recently announced a proposed settlement for $10.3 billion. St. Mary municipalities have been asked to sign on as plaintiffs, which could result in an undetermined amount of money at no cost to the local governments.
The Morgan City and Patterson city governments have decided over the last few weeks to participate in the lawsuit. Those cities operate their own water plants.
But Berwick gets its water from the Berwick-Bayou Vista Joint Water Commission. Chairman Herbert Mashburn said Wednesday that the commission is exploring participation in the lawsuit but hasn’t officially signed on.
Also Tuesday:
—The council awarded a certificate to Crystal Stansbury of Dollar General for community involvement, including the town’s Christmas season toy drive.
—The council heard about plans by the Bayouland Emergency Amateur Radio Service to participate in the International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend. The event will be Aug. 18-20.
BEARS will set up its equipment at the Berwick riverfront near the lighthouse. Members will try to make contact with as many of the 310 registered lighthouses and lightships as they can.
BEARS spokesperson Deborah Price said members may limit their operating hours to the morning and late afternoon to avoid the heat.
—Council on Aging Director Beverly Domengeaux, a frequent attendee at local government meetings, was asked if she had anything to tell the council. She didn’t until she did.
“Everybody’s getting fed,” Domengeaux said. “Everybody’s got a fan. Everybody’s got water.
“Everybody’s staying home,” she said.