St. Landry Parish must pay $300,000 to the town of Grand Coteau in video poker revenue that the state incorrectly paid to the parish.
At the May 15 meeting Amanda Cain, finance director, said the parish received video poker payments that were supposed to go to the town of Grand Coteau.
A letter from the Louisiana State Police Gaming Audit Section distributed to Parish Council members stated from April 19, 2016, to Jan. 31, 2019, revenue distributions were incorrect.
“The revenue from Go Bear’s Casino located in Grand Coteau was inadvertently classified as outside the city limits. Consequently, monies which should have gone to the town of Grand Coteau were incorrectly paid to St. Landry Parish,” the letter stated.
Cain said the town council at its May 14 meeting asked that the parish begin annual payments of $100,000 beginning in 2020.
Cain said the state has already withheld $59,000 from the parish.
At the May 1 Administrative-Finance Committee meeting Cain asked suggested the town be offered a six-year payout at $50,000 a year.
Council member Harold Taylor suggested the administration offer $75,000 a year.
Cain said the overpayment is not the fault of parish government.
Taylor noted the parish government is operating on shoestring budget.
Other business at the May 15 meeting included:
— Appointing Lloyd Antoine, Daniel Fontenot and Bennie Dupre to six-year terms on the Hospital District 1 (Eunice) Board of Directors.
— Appointed E. Lynn LeJeune to a three-term on the St. Landry Parish Commission.
