Roof projects at the city’s municipal building, central fire station and the Department of Motor Vehicle building are planned in the budget to go into effect in July, Mayor Scott Fontenot said.
“I don’t think there is going to be any major drastic cuts,” he said.
The city’s finances were bolstered earlier this month when voters approved a 0.25 percent sales tax dedicated to public safety salaries and related compensation.
Fontenot said once the raises take place they should help the police and fire departments reduce overtime.
The fire department had two employees out in the past year and the police department has faced a chronic manpower shortage, he said.
Fontenot expects the benefit of the public safety pay raises should be felt in the city’s budget by January.
The raises are expected to attract applicants and retain employees.
“We just got to be watching what we do,” he said of overtime costs.
The city’s general fund budget is about $8 million in expenses. The city’s total revenues are about $9.3 million.
The budget for the 2018-2019 year is to be presented the Board of Aldermen at the June 11 meeting.
