Financial woes continue to plague Baldwin

Baldwin’s fiscal problems have worsened to the point that the town may not be able to sustain itself.
Auditing firm Kolder, Champagne, Slaven & Co. performed the latest town audit and noted, “The town is unable to continue to meet its obligations as they become due as a result of the fund balance deficiencies.”
As of the start of the fiscal year, Baldwin was $160,000 in the red; at the end of the year that number had grown to $350,000.
Baldwin may request that law enforcement be handled by the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Department.
Several things contributed the Baldwin’s fiscal crisis, auditors say. Among them are:
—Failure to adjust utility rates and disconnect customers who haven’t paid their bills.
—Many errors were discovered in financial statements.
—Funds amounting to $63,000 were collected but there are no records of deposit, for utilizes, police department fines, recreational rentals, permits and more.
—Reconciliations with banks have not been performed.
—Some customers were not charged for waste collection and water service.
—Town minutes were not published, as state law dictates.
—Some employees were paid a three-hour minimum for overtime work rather than the actual hours worked.
The mayor and board of aldermen are considering measures to help make ends meet. These include:
—A half-hour less hourly work for employees and an attempt to limit overtime.
—Some $300,000 may be saved if debts owed are over three years old and can be written off.
—Insurance plans are being reviewed for savings.
—Baldwin has been purchasing water from Water & Sewer Dist. 5 and owes $60,000, which they will ask the St. Mary Parish Council for assistance in paying.
—Bankruptcy and debt rearrangement are under consideration.
—The Community Center may be offered or sale to a different governmental agency at an estimated $350,000.
—There is a residence in town park that is owned by the town, and may be sold for an estimated $150,000.
—Additional surplus property may be sold.