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Chief Administrative Officer Jean Paul Bourg, who has been at the forefront of efforts to fix a potential budget shortfall, submitted his resignation to the St. Mary Parish Council on Monday.
The resignation was announced at Wednesday’s Parish Council meeting.
Bourg nevertheless managed to propose budget changes to help patch an anticipated budget shortfall of $2.5 million-$2.6 million. He presented those changes to the council Wednesday.
Also at the meeting, the council amended the Feb. 26 minutes to reflect that former Parish President David Hanagriff was indeed appointed to the board of the Port of West St. Mary. The appointment was originally ruled to have failed.
And Economic Development Director Evan Boudreaux explained what the parish’s role in the Louisiana Industrial Tax Exemption Program will look like after changes ordered by Gov. Jeff Landry.
CAO
Bourg built a solid reputation during his work with the pre-consolidation Gravity Drainage District No. 2, as parish public works director and, since his appointment by Hanagriff in April, as chief administrative officer.
Bourg succeeded longtime CAO Henry “Bo” LaGrange, who retired from that post and ran unsuccessfully for the state Senate last year.
During last fall’s campaign for parish president, eventual winner Sam Jones said the parish was having trouble meeting its payroll and the government had maxed out its ability to borrow. Those were controversial claims, but eventually council members and the administration settled on the idea that the parish budget would be $2.5 million-$2.7 million short by the end of the budget year in September.
Jones, speaking Wednesday, said information about the budget was difficult to come by during what he described as a “rough transition.”
Not long after taking office in January, Jones proposed replacing Bourg with former Baldwin Alderman Marion J. Newton. The council rejected Newton’s appointment.
In the following weeks, Jones said, he began to appreciate Bourg’s willingness to look at the budget and offer information. Jones found Bourg’s work and effort to be satisfactory.
“I want to tell you, he’s done a fine job,” Jones said.
There was no immediate word on the process for finding Bourg’s successor.
Budget
After proposing a series of amendments to close the budget gap last month, Bourg gave the council a list of potential expense cuts and revenue totaling $472,000. That would bring the council to within $200,000-$300,000 of its $2.5 million goal.
The council’s Budget Committee will meet at 5 p.m. March 27 to consider the proposals.
On the revenue side, Bourg proposed collecting or increasing rent from a few parish-related agencies housed on parish property, selling surplus property and raising fees for long-term camping at Kemper-Williams Park near Patterson.
The list also includes steeper cuts in parish allocations for nongovernmental service agencies, such as the Council on Aging and ARC of St. Mary/Center of Hope. Reducing allocations by 50%, instead of the 25% previously considered, would improve the budget picture by $168,000.
The parish may also explore using voice over internet protocol for its phone service rather than relying on traditional landline phones.
Among the biggest budget hurdles to clear are large debt service payments that will come due this summer.
After the payments, Bourg said, the administration will take another look at the budget and what the parish can afford.
Port board
The council voted 5-3 Feb. 26 in favor of Hanagriff’s appointment to the Port of West St. Mary board. But apparently because many issues require a clear majority for passage — six votes from the 11-member council — Hanagriff’s appointment was declared to have failed.
But three council members were absent Feb. 26. Councilman Rodney Olander of Franklin put an amendment to the Feb. 26 minutes on Wednesday’s agenda, citing a parish ordinance that says only a majority of members present is required to approve a board appointment.
The five votes for Hanagriff represented a majority of the eight members who were present, so Hanagriff’s appointment was successful after all.
ITEP
Louisiana offers a property tax break for up to 10 years for next manufacturers or expansions of existing industry under the Industrial Tax Exemption Program.
Before 2016, exemptions from local property taxes were largely a top-down decision by the state Board of Commerce and Industry. That year, then-Gov. John Bel Edwards changed ITEP to allow local governments affected by the tax exemptions to say yes or no, to reduce the abatement to 80% for five years with an option for five more, and to require the projects to meet job creation targets.
Now Gov. Jeff Landry has changed the program again, dropping the job creation requirement.
Economic Development Director Boudreaux told the council Wednesday that decisions on ITEP applications will now be up to a parishwide board made up of representatives of all the local governments. But the governor will be empowered to overrule the board’s decision.
“It looks like it doesn’t really matter what we do,” said Councilman J Ina of Franklin. “The governor can do whatever he wants to do.”
Insurance
Councilwoman Dr. Kristi Prejeant Rink of Centerville is hoping for a discussion and a possible resolution about soaring home and flood insurance rates.
Rates have risen steeply since the hurricanes of 2020-21 and the launch of a new system of rating risk used to determine premiums for federal flood insurance.
Rink told the council that St. Mary residents aren’t getting the benefit of flood prevention projects carried out here.
In recent years, the parish has seen multimillion dollar flood projects on Bayou Chene and Bayou Teche and a major levee improvement project in Morgan City.

(Editor’s note: The charges listed here and the narratives that go with them are provided by the police agencies that made the arrests. Guilt or innocence has not been determined in court.)

Morgan City police reported arrests on theft and monetary instrument abuse charges, while St. Mary and Berwick authorities detained people on drug charges.

Morgan City

Chief Chad M. Adams reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 89 calls for service over the last 48-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

--Stephen Ditullio, 60, California Street, Berwick, was arrested at 12:30 p.m. March 8 on a charge of theft (under $1,000).

--Keith Anthony Dorsey Jr., 26, Millenium Avenue, Houma, was arrested at 2:17 p.m. Monday on a charge of monetary instrument abuse.

--Philip Brahm Ohlinger, 41, Henry Shubert Road, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, was arrested at 6:04 p.m. Tuesday on charges of disturbing the peace and remaining after forbidden.

--Shelby Rae Lee, 40, Landry Lane, Morgan City, was arrested at 11:04 a.m. Monday on a charge of failure to appear for arraignment (6th Ward Morgan City Court).

--Shina Short, 41, Arizona Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 2:42 p.m. Monday on a charge of remaining after forbidden.

--Michael Daniel Ruffin, 52, Poncio Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 6:48 p.m. Monday on a charge of simple battery.

--Landon Ray Acosta, 21, Marcel Drive, Morgan City, was arrested at 12:50 a.m. March 8 on charges of remaining after being forbidden and possession of drug paraphernalia.

--Leo Vining, 50, Onstead Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 1:42 p.m. March 8 on a charge of allowing dogs to roam.

--Charles Edward Naylor, 33, Edward Naylor Plaquemine, was arrested 4:11 p.m. Saturday on a charge of keeping vicious dogs or animals.

Berwick:

Chief David Leonard reported these arrests:

--Decator Crochet, 26, of New Orleans, was arrested at 8:15 p.m. Sunday warrants alleging possession of marijuana (under 14 grams), possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting an officer.

On Feb. 7, officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle after a traffic violation was observed. During the course of the stop, Crochet was identified as a passenger, and marijuana and items of paraphernalia belonging to him were located.

Crochet was advised that he was being placed under arrest and fled on foot. Warrants were then issued for his arrest.

On Sunday, Crochet was located at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center. Crochet was placed under arrest and transported to the Berwick Police Department, where he was booked.

--Aubrey Ourso, 69, Jeanerette, was arrested at 1:57 p.m. Monday on charges of taillights required, possession of marijuana (under 14 grams) and possession of drug paraphernalia.

--Joann Ourso, 53, Jeanerette, was arrested at 1:57 p.m. Monday on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana (under 14 grams), possession of drug paraphernalia and illegal carrying of a weapon.

About 12:51 p.m. Monday, a traffic stop was conducted on vehicle after it was observed to lack proper tail lights. Aubrey Ourso was identified as the driver, and Joann Ourso was identified as a passenger.

Through the course of the stop, a K-9 was contacted and after an open-air sniff of the vehicle, a probable cause search was done. During this time, marijuana, methamphetamine, paraphernalia and a firearm were located inside.

It was learned that the marijuana and paraphernalia belonged to Aubrey and Joann Ourso. It was further learned that the methamphetamine and firearm belonged to Joann Ourso.

Both were placed under arrest. Aubrey Ourso was released on a summons. Joann Ourso was transported to the Berwick Police Department, where she was booked.

--Jace Lodrigue, 25, Berwick, was arrested at 8:07 p.m. Tuesday on charges of disturbing the peace and resisting an officer.

About 7:37 p.m. Tuesday, the Berwick Police Department received a call about a subject causing a disturbance and making threats to family members at a residence on Oregon Street. Officers responded and learned that Jace Lodrigue was inside, possibly armed with a weapon.

After a brief moment, officers were able to call Lodrigue out of the residence. He exited armed with a wooden object. Lodrigue was given numerous verbal commands to drop the item and comply with officers, which he refused.

A taser was used and deployed, and Lodrigue was able to be taken into custody without further incident. He was then transported to the Berwick Police Department where he was booked.

St. Mary

Sheriff Gary Driskell reported that over the last 48-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 134 complaints and made these arrests:

--Kevin Wade Nedd, 62, Franklin, was arrested at 3:24 p.m. Monday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on a charge of neglect of family. Bail was set at $2,071.

--Alfred Collins Sr., 55, Jeanerette, was arrested at 6:26 p.m. Tuesday on a warrant alleging failure to appear on a charge of operating a utility vehicle on a public roadway. Collins was released on a $500 bond.

--Chad Michael Adams, 40, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:50 p.m. Tuesday on two warrants alleging failure to appear on charges of theft ($5,000-$25,000), theft ($1,000-$5,000) and monetary instrument abuse. Bail has not been set at this time.

--Lunden Toussiant, 24, Franklin, was arrested at 5:18 p.m. Tuesday on charges of resisting an officer and possession of a Schedule I drug, and on a Franklin Police Department warrant on the charges of possession of marijuana, violation of controlled dangerous substance law and possession of drug paraphernalia. Toussaint was released on an $8,000 bond.

Franklin

Chief Cedric Handy reported that the Franklin Police Department responded to eight complaints over the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:

--Juamall Walker, 36, Tiger Drive, Thibodaux, was arrested at 1:25 p.m. Tuesday on charges of speeding and suspended driver's license. Walker was booked, processed and released on a $463.50 bond.

--Markeisha Broussard, 24, Willow Street, Lafayette, was arrested at 12:04 a.m. Wednesday on charges of speeding and careless operation. Broussard was booked, processed and released on an $875.50 bond.

Early in Monday’s meeting of the Morgan City Harbor and Terminal District board, there was joking about how boring the meetings have become.
In a little more than five years, the Port of Morgan City has evolved from governing waterways clogged by silt from repeated floods, and with meager federal funding for dredging, to enjoying an open channel to the Gulf of Mexico with enough money in place to pay for four to 10 dredging projects.
Tim Connell, operations manager for the Army Corps of Engineers New Orleans District, told the port board Monday that about $80 million in funding has been approved in Congress for the fiscal year that ends Sept. 30.
The Corps of Engineers is in charge of dredging projects, using funds included in the president’s budget, the corps work plan and supplemental appropriations.
The funding request for fiscal 2025 is for $16.5 million, Connell told the board.
That contrasts with the roughly $4 million for the Port of Morgan City that appeared in the president’s fiscal 2019 budget.
Since then, funding has been on the upswing. In the last year, as many as six dredges at a time have been at work on the port’s channel, which is now at its authorized depth of 20 feet from the city to the Gulf.
Conventional dredging projects now on the books range in cost from $5.8 million to more than $20 million. That doesn’t include about $38 million for the Brice Civil Constructors dredge, which continues to remove sticky “fluff” mud from the lower end of the channel using an agitation process.
Also Monday, the board heard from the Coast Guard that vessel transits rose 2% to 1,897 last month. About 1,400 were by towing vessels, an increase of 7%.

WOMEN’S DAY
Program at Good Hope Baptist Church, Patterson, 11 a.m. Sunday, March 24. Speaker Pearl Barnes Rack, Greater New Hope Baptist Church, Baldwin. Public invited.