News

Marksville reviews water, sewer finances and equipment needs

By Amy Ducote

Marksville officials are reviewing the financial condition and equipment needs of the city’s water and sewer systems, but city officials have clarified that a water rate increase is not currently being proposed.

The City Council’s Aug. 12 minutes listed an item as the “introduction of an ordinance to increase the City’s water rates and set up a public hearing.” However, City Engineer Marcus Guillory later said the agenda wording was incorrect and that the discussion was actually an informational review of the city’s water and sewer finances. Mayor John Lemoine and Guillory said no water rate increase was planned at that time.

According to the council minutes, the presentation focused on operating revenue and expenses for the city’s water and sewer accounts and where those accounts are projected to go.

Officials reported that a CWEF/LGAP grant had been amended to allow the purchase of water meters. A separate water-sector application submitted last year was removed after the city learned no funding was available.

The council later approved the purchase of cellar-style water meters after Sewer Department representative Rondell Jones said they would be more beneficial to the city. The minutes state that the cellar meters would cost about $40 more than the meters previously approved.

The council also unanimously approved the purchase of two new trucks for the sewer department.

Other city projects were discussed as well.

Officials said a preconstruction conference had been held for a street project expected to begin during the month. The city was also waiting on the results of an H&H analysis concerning Bayou Pierite, while capital outlay funding for improvements to five streets was reported as approved.

In other business, the council unanimously approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Avoyelles Parish School Board to provide $2,500 toward placing a school resource officer at the high school. Police Chief Elster Smith had met with the superintendent about the arrangement.

The council also approved a $2,000 donation to the Avoyelles Courthouse Lights Up Foundation. Todd Laborde appeared before the council seeking support for the Nov. 28 courthouse lighting event, including assistance with security and a partial street closure along Ogden Street.

Acadian Ambulance reported 844 calls during July, including 656 emergency calls and 188 non-emergency calls. The parishwide response time was reported at 14 minutes, 26 seconds, with an average of 27.6 patients per day.

Council members also discussed deteriorating speed bumps. Councilman Torrick Friels suggested removing broken speed bumps, but the minutes state there were no replacements available.

A separate motion to obtain a DEQ number for tire disposal failed. Anita Saucier abstained from that vote.

A proposed pay raise for Beverly Augustine also failed. Daniel Greenhouse and Torrick Friels voted in favor, while Mayor John Lemoine, Mike Gremillion and Frank Havard voted against the motion. Saucier abstained.

The council tabled discussion of the Da Jordan Center until the following month. The minutes also state there was no money remaining for additional work in city parks.

Following an executive session, the council unanimously approved extending an offer of $5,000 to $6,000 concerning settlement demands. The minutes do not identify the matter or the parties involved.