By Steve Bandy/Rayne Acadian-Tribune
How long is “temporary?”
Unfortunately, there is no etched-in-stone definition, according to District Attorney Keith Stutes.
And that appears to be a problem with some members of the Acadia Parish Police Jury as it concerns Donna Bertrand’s appointment as “designated secretary-treasurer.”
Back in February, when parish Secretary-Treasurer Laura Faul announced she was leaving that position one year into her two-year term, jurors were all set to appoint an interim to complete the unexpired term, which ends Dec. 31.
However, Stutes informed them of opinions from the state Attorney General that any appointment to the position of treasurer “shall be” for a term of two years.
He then recommended that the jury, after declaring the position vacant, authorize the president to “designate someone in the office to assume the duties of treasurer on a temporary basis until a permanent replacement is named.”
Bertrand, the parish human resources director, was named “designated secretary-treasurer” at the March 14 meeting.
“The key word is ‘temporarily’ and the point is, you’re now four months down the road and there’s been no move toward appointing someone permanently to the position,” said Stutes.
A concern for some jurors is the term of the appointment.
In two years, when the secretary-treasurer comes back up for reappointment, jurors will be in the last year of their four-year terms.
But Stutes explained, “When you appoint, it’s for a two-year term unless you have less than two years left on your terms. In that case, your appointment is until the end of your term.”
Juror Ronnie Fabacher offered a motion to re-examine the applications that were submitted after Faul’s resignation, but Savoy reminded that such action was beyond the scope of the agenda posted for Tuesday night’s meeting.
Whether the police jury will re-adverstise for the position or call back the applicants who submitted resumes in February is unclear.
Asked by Bertrand why he had concerns about the current operation, Fabacher, who instigated the discussion Tuesday night, agreed to meet with her privately to discuss the matter.
In other action, the police jury reappointed Alyssa Dogay to the Acadia Parish Library Board of Control; reappointed Keith Leger to the Second Ward Drainage District No. 1; appointed Pat Schultz to the Foruth Ward Drainage District No. 1 due to the resignation of Dennis Leonards.