The Ville Platte City Council met Tuesday evening at Ville Platte City Hall. 

It was Budget Night as CPA, Dana Quebedeaux, explained the proposed 2016-2017 Budget to Council.  The proposed budget includes approximately $2M to be used for infrastructure and city improvements.  Almost 80% of that will be funded by Federal and State grants either already approved or being sought.  Some of the items included in the $2M include a police truck, a dump truck, city vehicles, pay increases for city employees, a 20% pay increase for the City Marshall and Chief of Police, walking trails and splash pads at area parks.  Fire department employees will see a 5% pay raise and police officers will see a $.50 an hour raise.  According to Quebedeaux, the City came in $444,780.00 under budget last year and Mayor Vidrine pointed out that for the last 3 years, the city has come in under budget.  She stated “We have so many unexpected expenses, but we continue to come in under budget.” In reference to the pay increase for police officers, the Mayor stated “We want to stay competitive in our pay.  We don’t want officers to come here and be trained and the leave to go to other departments.”

The City of Ville Platte will be receiving $1M from a LA Community Development Block Grant to repair the ailing sewer plant which was built around 1984.  The City will have a matching portion for receiving the grant of $150,000.00.  The Mayor showed a huge stack of documents that it took to receive the grant and Ville Platte was the only municipality in the area to receive the money for 2016.

The Mayor said the Summer Workers are all out in the community at places of work and there are 29 of them this Summer.  Also, the Boys & Girls Club is now up and going for Summer.  There will be another registration for the After School program that will begin in late August.  That program will focus on academics and tutoring before games and other activities at the Club.