Harlan Kirgan
The City of Eunice is about to get $3.6 million as its share of the $350 billion earmarked for state and local government in the $1.9 trillion stimulus bill.
And St. Landry Parish is to get $15.9 million as its share of that American Rescue Plan Act.
The money is to make up for economic impacts due to the COVID-19 crisis.
Half of the money may arrive within 60 days and the remainder in 12 months from the bill signed by President Biden on March 11.
Eunice Mayor Scott Fontenot said, “This is really good for the city to help us stimulate some growth.”
Fontenot recites a list of city needs the money might be used for from fire trucks, city building repairs to sewer work.
The mayor said meetings have been held in the past two weeks with financial consultant Steve Moosa about the city’s financial future. Fontenot is wanting to repave all city roads in a $10 million bond project that would not require additional taxes.
“With the COVID relief bill we might be able to get more done than we think,” he said.
For instance, the city may be able to buy new fire trucks without financing them, he said.
Considering a year of virus uncertainties, Fontenot said the city’s budget is in overall good shape.
On the other hand, St. Landry Parish’s $15.9 million will be across the parish’s numerous boards and the school system, said Jessie Bellard, parish president.
“There are a lot of things that go with it,” he said.
Meetings are planned with Parish Council members to start the process, he said.
The money can be used to replace lost revenue, COVID-related expenses, water and sewerage, and tourism, he said.
The federal stimulus money may help the parish to fill the budget hole left by lower gambling revenue, he said.
The parish has seen its prisoner costs increase due in part to COVID factors. The parish budgeted $231,000 for out-of-parish prisoner expenses for the year, but that number will be reached by the end of March, he said.
Christie Maloyed, a UL political science professor, said restrictions on using the money are broadly worded.
Maloyed, referenced in The Advocate, said, “Even if there were restrictions, it’s not clear who would be policing that. Someone would need to have standing and sue to say we think this money has been misappropriated, and that’s just extremely unlikely to happen.”
Other allocations in the Tri-Parish area include:
—Acadia Parish, $12 million.
— Evangeline Parish, $6.5 million.
— Basile, $657,439.
Arnaudville, $385,687.
Cankton, $186,207.
Chataignier, $132,741.
Church Point, $1,608,014.
Crowley, $4.1 million.
Grand Coteau, $333,697.
Iota, $528,384.
Krotz Springs, $433,622.
Leonville, $406,336.
Mamou, $1,1 million.
Melville, $379,419.
Opelousas, $5.9 million.
Pine Prairie, $536,128.
Port Barre, $778,381.
Rayne, $2.9 million.
Sunset, $1 million.
Ville Platte, $2.6 million.
Washington, $337,016.
Turkey Creek, $171,089.