Patterson Council OKs spending plan for COVID aid

PATTERSON — The long-awaited American Rescue Plan Act money has begun arriving at local government offices, and now the Patterson City Council has a budget for the $2.14 million it expects to receive.
The council approved a spending plan that emphasizes water and sewer investment and replacing lost public revenue, two of the acceptable purposes set out in the federal act’s program to help small communities cope with COVID-19.
Also Thursday, the council amended its budget to account for COVID-related expenses and revenue loss as well as the federal COVID aid; signed on to the parish’s draft Hazard Mitigation Plan; and took the first steps toward tightening up permit fees and rules for disconnecting utilities for nonpayment.
Rescue Plan
The federal COVID aid comes in two installments, or tranches, and with some strings in the form of allowable uses. The money must be spent by 2025, and Patterson’s budget splits the spending over the next four years. The plan includes:
—$617,000 for investing in water and sewer.
—$425,000 for replacing lost public sector revenue.
—$300,000 for reviving communities and families.
—$271,935 for extra pay for essential workers.
—$205,000 for addressing negative economic impact.
—$195,005 for supporting public health.
—$126,060 for investing in broadband.
The city considers all 63 employees to be essential, Mayor Rodney Grogan said. They’re in line for a 3% raise from the COVID aid while the money lasts and another 3% from the general fund.
Human Resources Director Holden Murray said there are plans to provide wireless internet access at city parks.
One of the public health components will be improving ventilation in city buildings. And Patterson will be looking for public-partnerships to improve business downtown.
The amendment approved Thursday in the city’s general fund budget anticipates additional revenue of $1.03 million, raising the total to about $8.5 million. Expenses are expected to go up about $1.3 million to $8.2 million. That reduces the expected surplus from $506,000 in the original budget to $247,000 in the amended budget.
Hazard plan
The council signed on to the Hazard Mitigation Plan developed at the parish level with consultants Quality Engineering Services.
The plan identifies risks — hurricanes have caused 75% of disaster property damage since 1960, QES has found — and resources for coping with calamity.
The amended federal Stafford Act requires local governments to have such plans in place to be eligible for disaster aid before and after the event.
Utilities
The council introduced an ordinance that would provide consistent rules about when late fees are charged for utility bills and when customers are liable for disconnection.
The ordinance says bills, which go out around the 23rd of each month, are due by the seventh of the following month. After the seventh, the bills will be subject to a 10% late fee. Customers who don’t pay by the 15th would be subject to disconnection.
The council put off introduction of a bill that would set utility installation fees. The snag was the amount to be charged for gas delivery with generators that require a greater flow than normal residential connections.
Text messages
The council also agreed to subscribe to a service called TextMyGov, which allows residents to get information and pay utility bills by phone, and also to report road hazards, gas leaks or other mishaps. The city government would be able to push messages out to residents.
You can learn more at TextMyGov.com.