Council votes 10% budget cut; parish president vows a veto

By Rebecca Chaisson on Friday, June 2, 2023
  • St. Landry Parish Council member Nancy Carriere, right, became a peacemaker after a heated exchange between Parish President Jessie Bellard and Council member Harold Taylor at Wednesday’s meeting in Opelousas. (Photo by Harlan Kirgan)
    St. Landry Parish Council member Nancy Carriere, right, became a peacemaker after a heated exchange between Parish President Jessie Bellard and Council member Harold Taylor at Wednesday’s meeting in Opelousas. (Photo by Harlan Kirgan)

    The St. Landry Parish Council voted 8-3 for a 10% across-the-board budget cut at special meeting Wednesday in Opelousas. Parish President Jessie Bellard called it “games” and said he isn’t going to change his 2023 budget after the resolution vote. And, Bellard said if the Council returns with an ordinance mandating the 10% budget cut he will veto that. All that happened in a special meeting …