LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) -- The Boulet administration's proposed $803 million budget was the focus of two recent hearings held today attended by city and parish council members.

News 10 spoke with Lafayette Mayor President Monique Blanco-Boulet, who says the council's top priorities are making sure residents know their government is working for them.

"A government should really be for the people of the people and the council, they each come from their own respective districts and bring their concerns and the issues that they're dealing with," said Boulet, emphasizing the importance of council members' roles in the budget process.

The budget discussions covered various areas including community development, planning, innovation and technology, municipal civil service and public works. These items represent a significant portion of the overall budget, highlighting the administration's priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. These items at the August 7 hearings totaled to $342 million, which is just a portion of the budget.

One of the notable projects included in the budget is the development of Jefferson Boulevard.

"One of the new projects is Jefferson Boulevard which that is the other side of Jefferson Street, past the tracks," said Boulet. "It's piece of roadway that DOTD has owned and really has not maintained well, that's been on the books for a long time, so we will start the construction on that project should it make it through this budget process."

Next week, council members will continue their review of the budget with departments such as parks and recreation, police, fire departments and libraries. Boulet has encouraged residents to participate in these meetings to express their concerns and priorities for their neighborhoods.

Boulet also highlighted the complexity of the budget process is due to the consolidation of city and parish functions.

"It's that consolidation that makes it really complex, so you see the implications of that consolidation in this budget process," said Boulet. "So, you see the implications of that consolidation in this budget process, because there are things that are done together as well as separate, and it's interesting to watch the two different councils work together when they need to and then work independently when they need to."

The ongoing budget hearings are a critical step in determining the allocation of resources for the city and parish, with public participation being encouraged to ensure that community needs are addressed. The outcome of these discussions will shape the administration's focus for the coming year.

An adoption for the budget is expected to be made by the parish and city councils on September 11. For more information on what the budget includes, visit the Lafayette Consolidated Government's Finance Page.

Latest news