Budget cuts fall on police in Patterson

PATTERSON — Police Chief Patrick LaSalle had expressed hope Tuesday for a budget increase for the 2016-17 fiscal year.

But the council adopted a proposed budget that gives the department $61,000 less than in 2015-16.

The police department budget for fiscal year 2016-17 is now $1.77 million. The police budget started at $1.79 million last year and was amended upward to $1.83 million.

Because it is a larger budget, it was “cut percentage-wise more,” Patterson city accountant Reginald Weary said. The city “cut police expenses but not services.”

Weary previously spoke with LaSalle about proposed budget cuts.

The police department’s budget makes up 42 percent of the city’s budget, council member Larry Mendoza said. And the city’s budget for administration is approximately 19 percent.

The approved administrative budget for fiscal year 2016-17 totaled $792,558, which is a decrease of $42,796 from the amended 2015-16 budget. Initially, last year’s amount was at $764,954, but it was amended to $835,354.

LaSalle stated in his monthly department report that 14 burglaries have occurred in Patterson. Twelve incidents were on the south side of the railroad track and two on the north.

The June police report submitted to Mayor Rodney Grogan lists one burglary and one theft arrest, Sgt. Linda Span said.

“That report is for arrests only,” Span said. “It’s not the burglaries that happen between the time period of June and July.”

The remaining 8 to 12 burglary incidents are under investigation, Span said.

“I strongly suggest that you lock your vehicles south of the railroad track,” LaSalle said. “I strongly suggest that you be very careful. We are working extremely short-handed.”

In other business, the council:

—Approved the golf cart ordinance. Next month, the council will work on a resolution to assess a city registration fee for golf carts. Golf carts are not allowed to be driven on Main Street, Red Cypress Road, and U.S. 90.

—Approved an ordinance for assessing a collection fee on debts referred to a collection agency.

—Terminated existing engineering agreement with Providence/ GSE for the 3 MGD Water Treatment Plant. No penalty will be incurred for terminating agreement.

—Approved resolution to enter into an engineering contract with Professional Engineering and Environmental Consultants Inc. for the 1.5 MGD Water Treatment Plant. The project will cost around $4.9 million.

—Approved resolution to enter into a professional service agreement with Providence/ GSE to provide inspection services for the construction of the 1.5 MGD Water Treatment Plant.

—Approved continuation of financial auditing services with Kolder, Champagne, Slaven and Co.

—Approved cooperative endeavor agreement with Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. It is for storing aggregate in the area. J-turn construction begins in approximately 60 days.