Parish charter change may be considered

The St. Landry Parish Home Rule Charter, which took effect in 2004, banned Parish Council members from day-to-day operations.
The council members are relegated to legislative duties.
Jerry Red, District 1 council member, gained approval from the council’s Administrative-Finance Wednesday for his request to discuss forcing those employees appointed by the parish president to be ratified annually.
However, Red’s motion turned into approval for a general discussion about changing the charter at the Nov. 18 council meeting.
“My main concern is most people don’t understand the difference between the police jury and home rule charter,” Red said. “We all get calls from constituents and they think when they call us they expect things will get done. When they call us.”
When things are done or taken care of in timely manner, the public looks to the council, he said.
“I think the home rule charter, when it came up ,was for the best of the people because people had lost interest in the police jury system,” he said. “Now, we have a home rule charter and sometimes people think we didn’t do any better.”
Forcing the president’s appointees to be ratified annually drew the opposition of Parish President Bill Fontenot and an adverse opinion by the council’s legal counsel, Chad Pitre.
Fontenot said, “My opinion is once the appointment is ratified there is no authority for the council to remove the person. You can always ask.”
Pitre said the president’s appointments are subject to the council’s approval, but those appointees then serve for the president’s tenure. Only the president can remove an appointee, he said.
“You could also, at any time, it doesn’t have any teeth, but it sure shows if you support or disapprove something, have a vote of non-confidence in whatever, whoever. It just goes on the record you are not supporting this person,” Pitre said.
The presidential appointments are for department heads, not line employees, he said.
Pam Gautreau, District 8 member, gained approval for a motion to discuss convening a charter commission to address amendments.
Gautreau, who did not run for reelection, brought up her complaint about the budget process. The Administrative-Finance Committee, Huet Dupre, Hurlin Dupre, Alvin Stelly, Gautreau and Jimmie Edwards voted for the council to ask the parish president to resubmit his 2016 budget. Committee Chairman Wayne Ardoin did not vote.
Gautreau asked for someone from the administration to make themselves available for questioning about the budget.
Fontenot responded, “I’ve already answered that numerous times when you brought it up a number of times. I speak for my office.”
Gautreau continued, “We should be getting concise answers the night of the meetings.”
Fontenot replied, “I’ve not yet ever brought anything here that you’ve approved of in concept of reality. I don’t see in the last two months that I’m going to improve on that with you. I’m going to continue to carry the football like I have. I’m a professional engineer. I’ve done this for over 40 years including budgeting and I’ll continue to do it.”
Gautreau answered, “Thank you, Mr. Fontenot. Unfortunately a 40-year DOTD engineer does not a finance director make.”