Harlan Kirgan
The St. Landry Parish Council approved a $5 million line of credit payable over 10 years as it copes with losses created by coronavirus.
Amanda Cain, chief financial officer and parish president designee, said there is $1 million deficit in the Council’s Road and Bridge Fund a $500,000 deficit in the General Fund.
Cain said the line of credit is intended to help two years of the budget.
Cain said revenue from gambling, the Evangeline Downs casino in Opelousas and video poker casinos throughout the parish, flat-lined after the March shutdown.
The interest rate is limited to no more than 6% and must be approved by the State Bond Commission.
The meeting was conducted with most members present on Wednesday, but attendance for some was by teleconference.
The Council approved advertising for a chief administrative officer at an annual salary of $70,000 to $80,000.
The revival of a parish website was announced. The address is stlandrypg.org.
Approval was given to the Opelousas Rotary Club to place a statue of Saint Landry in front of the Courthouse. Saint Landry was a bishop in Paris in the 600s.
Kathy Moreau and Jodie Castille Powell were reappointed to the St. Landry Parish Solid Waste Commission.
The Council approved adjusted millage rates for the parish.
A contract for COVID-19 cleaning at parish buildings was approved. The contract also includes training parish employees to clean for virus removal.