Ville Platte City Council Meeting June 18, 2019 Despite appeals from the Chamber of Commerce and others, the Ville Platte City Council Monday adopted a new ordinance raising utility rates to sewer, gas and water customers in the city. The vote increases rates by some 31 percent over a two year period. The new rates will become effective with the August bills. The city was notified by its bond holders that a major increase in rates must take place or face take over by the state. The city had not increased its rates for at least 20 years. As an example, One person Residential bills would see an increase by $8.35 a month in the first year for customers using 2000 gallons of water and 10CCF in gas usage. It would increase to $9.56 a month in year two. Chamber Executive Director Renee Brown asked the mayor and council during the public hearing” Our last appeal is to ask you to make the essential cuts to the budget, salaries, employees and reduce spending for the next few years. We did not get here overnight. Making a decision on the budget should not be rushed into.” Council woman Faye Lemoine addressed the audience “We have to listen to our financial advisor. This town is not going to die. We have to have money to run this town. I promise we will be good stewards of this extra money.” Councilman Mike Perron said “This was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to do. We have a deadline. We are trying to do what is right for the city.” Ville Platte Mayor Jennifer Vidrine presented the new budget for the city to review. The $14 million dollar budget shows the city will be spending some $4 million dollars than the last budget. She said “We are modernizing the city with less money.” The city will consider adopting the new budget on June 28. In other business the city council: --received news that six abandoned or dilapidated homes were demolished in the past month; --The fire department received 36 calls including 1 structure fire and 3 grass fire calls; --The police department reported 428 calls including 46 arrests; --Heard from Mayor Jennifer Vidrine announced expenses increased in Mayor over April by some $9000 because of the need of having to purchase equipment such as flow meters and repairing Water Well #9;