LMR FEB 2020.pdf

Louisiana Municipal Review
PUBLISHED BY THE LOUISIANA MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION
VOL 85, NO. 2
FEBRUARY 2020

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The Louisiana Municipal Review, the official publication of the Louisiana Municipal Association, serves as a medium for the exchange
of ideas and information for municipal officials in Louisiana. With a circulation of over 3,200, this publication is read by employees of
Louisiana municipal governments, sheriffs, parish presidents, state government officials, and members of the state legislature and
Congressional delegation, among others. Subscription rate: $24 per year; Single copy: $2. Louisiana residents, add 9% sales tax. Rates
for display, professional-listing, and classified advertising available upon request at editor@lma.org.
Statements or expressions of opinions appearing herein are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Louisiana Municipal
Association. Publication of any advertisement shall not be considered an endorsement of the product or service involved. No material
from this publication may be reprinted without the express permission of the editor.
Editorial offices: Louisiana Municipal Association, 700 North 10th Street, Suite 400, Post Office Box 4327, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-
4327, editor@lma.org, www.lma.org, (225) 344-5001, (800) 234-8274, FAX (225) 344-3057.
MUNICIPAL REVIEW STAFF
Executive Director: John Gallagher jgallagher@lma.org
Managing Editor: Karen Day White kwhite@lma.org
Editor: Anita Tillman atillman@lma.org
Production Coordinator: Baton Rouge Press, Inc.
LOUISIANA MUNICIPAL REVIEW
(USPS 832-560) (ISSN 0164-3622)
3 rd class postage paid at
Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Postmaster – Send address changes to:
LOUISIANA MUNICIPAL REVIEW
Post Office Box 4327
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4327
2019-20 LMA EXECUTIVE BOARD (non-affiliate, non-advisory)
President – Jimmy Williams – Mayor, Sibley
District J Vice President – Rodney Grogan, Mayor, Patterson
First Vice President – Michael Chauffe – Mayor, Grosse Tete LMA Past President – Barney Arceneaux, Mayor, Gonzales
Second Vice President– Jennifer Vidrine – Mayor, Ville Platte LMA Past President – Glenn Brasseaux, Mayor, Carencro
Immediate Past President – Harry Lewis – Mayor, Rayville
LMA Past President – David Butler, Mayor, Woodworth
District A Vice President – Peggy Adkins, Mayor, Sarepta
LMA Past President – David Camardelle, Mayor, Grand Isle
District B Vice President – Ronny Walker, Mayor, Ruston
LMA Past President – Clarence Fields, Mayor, Pineville
District C Vice President – Adam Holland, Mayor, Oak Grove
LMA Past President – Norman Heine, Councilman, Baker
District D Vice President – Rick Allen, Mayor, Leesville
Vice President-at-Large - Mark Piazza, Mayor, Abbeville
District E Vice President – Nathan Martin, Councilman, Pineville Vice President-at-Large - Darnell Waites, Mayor, Baker
District F Vice President – Charles James, Mayor, Sunset
Vice President (<1K) - Kevin Colligan, Mayor, Cankton
District G Vice President – Kenneth Stinson, Mayor, Vinton
Vice President (1K – 2.5K) – Johnny Natt, Mayor, Mangham
District H Vice President – David Toups, Mayor, Addis
Vice President (2.5K – 5K) – Robert Hardey, Mayor, Westlake
District I Vice President – Donald Villere, Mayor, Mandeville
Page 2
LMR | February 2020

Inside the LMA
Director’s Viewpoint
SMALL TOWNS STILL HAVE BIG IDEAS
BY JOHN GALLAGHER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
I have been thinking a lot about
our small towns and villages and
the media’s discouraging coverage
of them regarding diminishing
revenues and failing infrastructure -
some people even question whether small municipalities
should continue to exist. Eighty percent of our municipal
governments have populations under 5,000. These
small municipalities are incredibly vital to the State of
Louisiana. I and the LMA staff are constantly discussing
this issue as we continue to work with federal and state
stakeholders on solutions.
On Sunday, January 19, I was reading my copy of the New
York Times and got to my favorite part - the travel section.
On the front page was the annual ranking, “52 Places to
Go in 2020.” Tucked between #18 (La Paz, Bolivia) and
#20 (Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), was Grand Isle,
Louisiana, ranked #19 out of 52 international destinations.
Our small town of Grand Isle beat out places like the
Bahamas; Christchurch, New Zealand; Austin, Texas; Paris,
France; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Minorca, Spain. I
was so proud to see our only inhabited barrier Island
- population 1,296 – internationally recognized in such
grand fashion. It is a testament to the years of dedicated
leadership and resiliency by Mayor David Camardelle and
the government and citizens of Grand Isle.
This is just one of many small-town Louisiana stories.
Did you know that the Town of Washington in St. Landry
Parish is celebrating its 300th birthday in 2020? Or that
there is a prehistoric dinosaur park in Henderson? And
we were all ecstatic to see Sulphur, Louisiana middle
school music teacher Mickey Smith, Jr., honored with
a Grammy Award as Music Educator of the year and
featured on CBS Sunday Morning. In Grosse Tete, the
USDA announced a $15.5 million grant award to expand
high speed broadband internet connections in the rural
areas west of Baton Rouge to bridge the broadband
disparities between urban and rural centers.
We launched our Small Town Louisiana podcast series
late last year to provide a platform for small towns to tell
stories just like these. Our second season will premier
in spring, including fascinating tales from Franklin and
Ponchatoula. If you have not listened to season one
(featuring Jean Lafitte, Kaplan, Sarepta, Oak Grove,
and Winnsboro), I urge you do so via the link on our
website or at www.smalltownpodcast.com. We have
partnered with another champion for promoting small
municipalities, Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser,
who urges Louisianans to take a “staycation” at one of
Louisiana’s unique destinations. Please join me in my
2020 pledge to visit these small and their restaurants,
festivals, museums and main streets. Mardi Gras is a
perfect opportunity to explore the variety of “bons
temps” that our small towns have to offer.
January set the tone for what is sure to be a great year.
Pineville Mayor, LMA Past President, and LMA Legislative
Committee Chairman Clarence Fields was announced as
a February 15 inductee into the Louisiana Political Hall of
Fame in Winnfield. He will join the ranks of Louisiana’s
political legends as a recognition of his innumerable
contributions to Pineville and the State of Louisiana of
which we are so proud. Last month, we also collaborated
with the Legislative Auditor’s Office to provide five
regional training sessions around the state on the rules
of municipal governance and fiscal best practices. Thank
you to Daryl Purpera and his capable staff for partnering
with us; to our host cities of Minden, West Monroe,
Pineville, Carencro, and Gonzales; and to Karen White for
providing an excellent overview of the inner workings of
municipal government.
Thanks to your participation, the 2020 Mid-Winter
Conference was a wonderful event. We especially
appreciate Governor John Bel Edwards for speaking
at our luncheon, and Ron Holifield, CEO of Strategic
Government Resources, for kicking off the event with his
inspiring address on servant leadership. We are deeply
grateful for our speakers and exhibitors, without whom
our conferences would not be successful.
We proudly recognize February as Black History month,
a time to reflect of the countless achievements of, and
contributions by, Louisiana’s African American citizens.
Last month, in addition to Mayor Fields’ induction,
we announced Captain Treone Larvadain’s landmark
promotion that made her the first female African
American captain in State Police history. We also reflect
on history’s heroes such as Pierre Caliste Landry, a
former slave, attorney, Methodist Episcopal minister,
and politician in Louisiana. He is best remembered for
his 1868 election as mayor of Donaldsonville, making
him the first elected African American mayor in the
United States. Please join me in meditating on the
accomplishments of generations of African Americans
including our diverse membership of elected and
appointed officials throughout the state.
Happy Mardi Gras!
LMR | February 2020 Page 3

President’s Message
ADVOCATE, EDUCATE, AND SERVE
BY MAYOR JIMMY WILLIAMS, TOWN OF SIBLEY
The profound impact of the recent
tragic helicopter crash in California
that ended the lives of nine
individuals serves as a reminder to
focus on what matters and remain
grateful for every moment of life we are blessed with.
The world is stunned especially because one of the
passengers was a sports legend; however, when you take
a closer look, they were all just like us - baseball and
basketball coaches, players, dads, moms, children, and
friends. They were members of a community, just trying
to get their kids to practice to help them grow into
better athletes and ultimately better citizens.
The last six months of fighting for my own health have
made me as thankful as ever for every moment of life. It
is indeed a gift and tragedies like this should help us all
to put not only life, but LIVING into perspective. How
are we creating memories in our homes and with our
families? What are we doing with the time we have right
now? How are we impacting and transforming the lives
of the youth in our communities? Are we paying enough
attention to our own health and wellbeing? Are we
making the quality of life better for our citizens?
LMA has a long legacy of educating, advocating and
serving our members and I strongly believe that is
a model that should extend beyond the association
and into our hearts and homes. As most of you can
probably echo in your own lives, my time as an elected
official, baseball coach, community partner, husband
and dad has afforded me the opportunity to educate
my municipal colleagues and players; advocate for local
government; and serve my family and community. When
we put it all into perspective, focusing on what really
matters should encourage and energize us to wake up
and work harder to change lives every day. Tomorrow is
not promised, so advocate, educate and serve while you
have time!
May God be with those families and with all of you.
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LMR | February 2020

Inside the LMA
Governor’s Column
FEBRUARY 2020- A TIME TO CELEBRATE AND A TIME TO COUNT
BY JOHN BEL EDWARDS, GOVERNOR OF LOUISIANA
It’s carnival time again and there’s
no place like Louisiana to celebrate.
Congratulations to every new and
returning elected official. I certainly
hope 2020 has gotten off to a great
start for you, your families and the municipalities you
serve. Like you, I am humbled by the trust and faith our
constituents have placed in each of us and know we
are all committed to doing everything possible to help
improve their lives.
As we approach this new year and new decade, I ask that
you join me in encouraging our citizens to participate
in the 2020 United States Census. It’s one of the most
important things we can do to help move our state
forward. This opportunity only comes along once every
10 years, and it impacts every part of our lives and
governments. Our participation helps determine our
congressional representation in Washington DC and
ensures our state has the best opportunity to receive our
share of federal resources as they are made available.
That is why we must do everything within our power
to make certain all communities are represented and
everyone is counted in the process.
In December, I signed an executive order creating
the Louisiana Complete Count Committee (LCCC) to
increase awareness and participation in the Census
throughout Louisiana. The committee is made up of
community, government and business leaders across our
state, and I am grateful to every member who has agreed
to serve. The work they are undertaking is critical. The
political, racial, religious and professional diversity of the
panel represents the diverse make up of Louisiana and
emphasizes the need to ensure that every citizen and
community that makes our state great is recognized.
An integral part in raising the awareness of the census
Calendar of Events
FEBRUARY
1-29 Black History Month
4-5 LMA Mid-Winter Conference, Baton Rouge,
Crowne Plaza Hotel
11 Essentials of Grant Funding Workshop, 9:00 a.m.
– 4:30 p.m., Main Street Community Center, 708
Main Street, Pineville.
will be the efforts put forth by local officials at the
municipal level. As we work together in this endeavor,
members of the LMA have a role in ensuring their
communities are accurately counted. No one knows your
communities better than you do, and that is why we are
counting on you to make certain the constituents you
serve are well aware and informed about how important
the impacts of the Census are. Forming complete
count committees at the municipal level that reflect
the diversity of your communities is going to be key.
Every member of the LMA can and should have a role in
making sure that the 2020 Census serves the people of
this great state in the best way possible.
Now it’s time for what has to be one of the most exciting
times of the year filled with parades, Mardi Gras beads
and lots of king cake. It’s an incredible reflection of how
special this state really is. Enjoy and never forget that
it’s your hard work and dedication to public service that
helps make Louisiana the amazing place it is.
Hometown Happenings
Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals
Feb 6-9, Baton Rouge
www.laffnet.org
Family Gras
Feb 22-24, Harahan
www.familygras.com
Mardi Gras of SWLA
Feb 25, Lake Charles
www.visitlakecharles.org
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LMR | February 2020 Page 5

Legal Briefs
WHY CIVILITY MATTERS
BY KAREN DAY WHITE, EXECUTIVE COUNSEL
We can hardly turn on our televisions or hop online without
being bombarded by images of divisiveness, derision,
and downright hateful human behavior. It’s easy to shake
our heads and think about incivility as something that
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People who volunteer for public service do so because
they have a deep desire to better their communities, so
they are often very passionate about their position on
a given subject. There is nothing wrong with zealously
advocating for one’s stance – indeed, a robust and
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political debate to degenerate into unproductive infighting.
The notion of civility as being the backbone of efficient
government is certainly not new. US Supreme Court
Justice Sandra Day O’Connor wrote, “Unfortunately civility
is hard to codify or legislate, but you know it when you see
it. It’s possible to disagree without being disagreeable.”
President George W. Bush noted, “Civility is not a tactic
or a sentiment. It is the determined choice of trust over
cynicism, or community over chaos.” Celebrated American
writer Ralph Waldo Emerson
penned, “Let me never fall into the
vulgar mistake of dreaming that
I am persecuted whenever I am
contradicted.”
To paraphrase Mark Twain, the
lack of civility risks becoming like
the weather: something everyone
talks about, but no one does
anything about it.
And it’s not that Americans don’t
value civility, either. In a 2018
poll, 84% of Americans said that
civility builds national pride and a
whopping 93% thought that the
lack of civility is a problem in our
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So, with this mutual regard for
public and political civility, what
can be done on an individual
and local government level to
engender civil discourse and
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LMR | February 2020
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A Word from
Our Affiliates
Momentum Gathers in Blight Fight
Following last November’s La-
MATS-sponsored convening of
Louisiana mayors, realtors and city
planning professionals for a day-long
workshop to identify and combat the
root causes of blight, a steady drumbeat
of continuing activity points to
real progress on this vexing issue.
A recent survey of workshop participants
conducted by organizer,
the Center for Planning Excellence
(CPEX), indicated widespread support
for the development of comprehensive,
statewide solutions. Among
the points of consensus, the need
for a toolkit of proven strategies and
model documents has already been answered by the
release of “Fight the Blight,” a nuisance abatement guide
produced jointly by the LMA and Louisiana City Attorneys
Association in partnership with Neil Irwin Law.
Other concerns cited by participants included: streamlining
or eliminating adjudication, as other states have successfully
done; counting the “hidden
costs” of abandoned properties; and
reviewing other ways in which legislative
reform might help municipalities
better assess and address the blight
within their jurisdictions.
Participants unanimously called for the
hosting of additional convening and
training sessions to help flesh out these
and other topics around the issue, a call answered by
LMA with this month’s Mid-Winter Conference session
dedicated to blight.
“Few issues generate more interest and concern among
our members than municipal blight,” said LMA Executive
Director, John Gallagher. “Complicated and at times
controversial, this issue demands thorough study and a
concerted, partnership approach to any solution.”
Gallagher has committed the LMA to supporting such an
approach and, along with LaMATS, key stakeholders and
subject matter experts, to taking positive steps in 2020
toward progress in the fight against blight.
A January 8, 2020 strategy session in Baton Rouge
brought together representatives from LaMATS, CPEX
and the Central Louisiana Chapter of the Louisiana Realtors
Association to open discussion on the points of focus
and additional partnerships such progress would require.
Chapter President Rhonda Reap-Curiel, a participant in
the November workshop and co-sponsor with LaMATS,
through the statewide realtors association, reported
on work in her region to draft targeted ordinances and
distribute them more widely. Working with the Louisiana
Pictured L to R: CPEX CEO Camille Manning-Broome, CPEX Project Manager Ryan Benton, LaMATS
Executive Director Cliff Palmer and Louisiana Realtor Rhonda Reap-Curiel.
Realtors’ legislative committee, Reap-Curiel pledged to
present issues such as heirship timeframes and adjudicated
property as possible legislative objectives for the
influential group.
LaMATS voiced that a majority of Louisiana municipalities
are small and under-resourced, a fact essential to its
mission and service provision. “Being
short in staff and funds complicates
local efforts to assess blighted properties
and effect remediation,” said Cliff
Palmer, LaMATS Executive Director.
“Solutions will have to be affordable
and easy to access and deploy.” Roles
for LaMATS statewide communications
reach, technical assistance and convening
ability were discussed.
For its part, CPEX commands considerable expertise
in the improvement of public spaces and the policies,
partnerships and funding streams required to support
that work. “This is bigger than any of us in our individual
capacities,” noted CEO Camille Manning-Broome.
“Realizing the vision of a blightfree
Louisiana will take real team
effort.”
Acknowledging the leadership and
support of the LMA, the meeting
participants concluded their effort
would benefit from the additional
participation of groups such as the
Police Juries, Sheriffs, Assessors
and City Attorneys, as well as representatives
of local business and
industry. Outreach to those groups
and others is now underway, and
planning for a later, larger convening
around the issues of blight, adjudication
and city planning will be
announced in the coming months.
Use your smartphone’s
camera to scan this code
and download ‘Fight
the Blight,’ the nuisance
abatement guide from
the LMA & LCAA.
LMR | February 2020 Page 7

- REGISTRATION FORM-
L o u i s i a n a M u n i c i p a l C l e r k s A s s o c i a t i o n
6 0 t h A n n u a l S p r i n g C o n f e r e n c e
H i l t o n B a t o n R o u g e C a p i t o l C e n t e r
B a t o n R o u g e
M a r c h 2 6 - 2 7 , 2 0 2 0
NAME
MUNICIPALITY
TITLE
EMAIL
Please help facilitate conference planning by answering the following questions:
• Is this your first LMCA Spring Conference? Yes No
• Will you attend the group tour on Thursday? Yes No
• Will you attend Friday night’s Annual Banquet? Yes No
o Do you require a Lenten meal? Yes No
$150 Delegate fee
$25 Tour Guest fee
$50 Banquet Guest fee, Lenten meal? Yes No
ACCOMMODATIONS:
A block of rooms has been reserved Hilton Capitol Center
at a rate of $149 Single/Double. Please call (225) 344-
5866 and identify the group as 'LA Municipal Clerks
Association' or give the code 'LMA' to secure the
discounted rate. The reservations cut- off date is
Wednesday, March 4, 2020. Hotel check-in time is 3:00
p.m. and check- out is 11:00 a.m. Recommended arrival
is Thursday, March 26th and departure Saturday, March
28th.
H i lt o n Bat o n R o u g e C a p i t o l C e n t e r
201 Lafayette Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70801
(225) 344- 5866
Overnight guest/valet parking with in/out privileges is
$25/day and is available 24 hours. Day parking, 0- 4
hours, is $5; and 4 or more house is $15. There are other
options for parking including the City of Baton Rouge
River Center parking garages. Find out more info on
downtown parking at https://downtownbatonrouge.org/discoverdowntown/places/parking.
https://www.hilton.com/en/hi/groups/personalized/B/BTRCPHF-
LMA-20200322/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG
MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO:
Louisiana Municipal Clerks Association
P.O. Box 4327
Baton Rouge, LA 70821
REMINDERS:
Email Kelly Drone if you are
eligible for a service award:
5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, etc
Bring a door prize to participate
in a door prize exchange!
Exchange your municipal lapel pins.
QUESTIONS?
LMA Corporate Relations Manager &
LMCA Liaison
Kelly Drone (225) 344-5001, kelly@lma.org
Page 8
LMR | February 2020

ursday, March 26, 2020
30 a.m.. – 12:30 p.m. LMCA Executive Board Meeting
30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Registration
0 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Exploring Downtown Baton Rouge
s is a walking Thursday, Thursday, tour March with March less 26, than 2020 26, 10 2020 mins of walking time in between each
p. Please meet in the lobby of the Hilton
0 p.m. 10:30 – 7:00 10:30 a.m.. p.m. a.m.. – 12:30 – 12:30 p.m. President’s p.m. LMCA LMCA Executive Reception Executive Board Board Meeting Meeting
Sponsored 11:30 11:30 a.m. a.m. – by 1:00 – the 1:00 p.m. Louisiana p.m. Registration Registration Rural Water Association
1:00 1:00 p.m. p.m. – 4:30 – 4:30 p.m. p.m. Exploring Exploring Downtown Downtown Baton Baton Rouge Rouge
This This a walking is a walking tour tour with with less than less than 10 mins 10 mins of walking of walking time time in between in between each each
stop. stop. Please Please meet meet in the in lobby the lobby of the of Hilton the Hilton
5:00 5:00 p.m. p.m. – 7:00 – 7:00 p.m. p.m. President’s President’s Reception Reception
Sponsored Sponsored by the by Louisiana the Louisiana Rural Rural Water Water Association Association
iday, March 27, 2020
5 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Registration and Exhibits
Riverview Ballroom
Friday, Friday, March March 27, 2020 27, 2020
esiding:
Invocation:
7:45 7:45 a.m. a.m. – 4:00 – 4:00 p.m. p.m. Registration Registration and Exhibits and Exhibits
yllis McGraw, MMC
Mary Vice, MMC
Riverview Riverview Ballroom Ballroom
erk, Bossier City
Clerk, Vinton
CA President Presiding:
LMCA Invocation: Past President
Presiding:
Invocation:
Phyllis McGraw, MMC
Mary Vice, MMC
edge of Phyllis Allegiance: McGraw, MMC
Welcome: Mary Vice, MMC
Clerk, Clerk, Bossier Bossier City City
Clerk, Clerk, Vinton Vinton
olores Quebedeaux, LMCA President LMMC
Honorable
LMCA President
LMCA LMCA Donald
Past Past President President J. Villere
erk, Arnaudville
Mayor, Mandeville
Pledge Pledge of Allegiance: of Allegiance:
Welcome: Welcome:
CA Secretary/Treasurer
LMA District I Vice President
Dolores Dolores Quebedeaux, Quebedeaux, LMMC LMMC Honorable Honorable Donald Donald J. Villere J. Villere
Clerk, Clerk, Arnaudville Arnaudville
Mayor, Mayor, Mandeville Mandeville
LMCA LMCA Secretary/Treasurer
LMA LMA District District I Vice I Vice President President
5 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. Welcome & Opening Remarks
Cultural Affairs Video
8:45 8:45 a.m. a.m. – 9:15 – 9:15 a.m. a.m. Welcome Welcome & Opening & Opening Remarks Remarks
5 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Sponsor Introduction
Cultural Cultural Affairs Affairs Video Video
0 a.m. 9:15 – 10:30 9:15 a.m. – a.m. 9:30 – 9:30 a.m. TBA a.m. Sponsor Sponsor Introduction Introduction
9:30 9:30 a.m. a.m. – 10:30 – 10:30 a.m. Dr. a.m. Susie TBA TBA Cambre
Tangipahoa Dr. Susie Dr. Susie Parish Cambre Cambre Sheriff
Tangipahoa Tangipahoa Parish Parish Sheriff Sheriff
30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Mastering Crucial Conversations
10:30 10:30 a.m. a.m. – 11:30 – 11:30 a.m. a.m. Mastering Mastering Crucial Crucial Conversations
Dr. Yvette Dr. Yvette Dr. Marsh Yvette Marsh Marsh
Executive Executive Executive Director Director Director of of Talent of Talent Management & & & Facilities
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. LMCA Annual Meeting and Introduction of 2020
Officers and Board Trustees
Presiding: Phyllis McGraw, MMC, Clerk, Bossier City, LMCA President
12:00 p.m. 1:15 p.m. Luncheon
A Word from
Our Affiliates
1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. LaMATS Services & Products
Cliff Palmer, Executive Director
11:30 11:30 a.m. a.m. – 12:00 – 12:00 p.m. p.m. LMCA LMCA Annual Annual Meeting LaMATS Meeting and Introduction and Introduction of 2020-2021 of 2020-2021
Officers Officers and Board and Board Trustees Trustees
2:15
Presiding: Presiding: p.m. – 2:30
Phyllis Phyllis p.m.
McGraw, McGraw, MMC, MMC, Break
Clerk, Clerk, Bossier Bossier City, City, LMCA LMCA President President
Louisiana Municipal Clerks Association 60th Annual Spring Conference Agenda
12:00 12:00 p.m. p.m. 1:15 1:15 p.m. p.m. Luncheon Luncheon
1:15
2:30
p.m.
– 3:30
– 2:15
p.m. Under Utilized Programs
1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. p.m. LaMATS LaMATS Services Services & Products & Products
Cliff
Traci
Palmer, Cliff Palmer, Watts
Executive Executive Director Director
LaMATS State LaMATS Director
2:15 2:15 p.m. p.m. – 2:30 – 2:30 p.m. p.m. Break Break LCDBG, LGAP, CWEF
3:30 – 4:30 p.m. MPERS Updates to Pension
2:30 2:30 – 3:30 – 3:30 p.m. p.m. Under Under Utilized Utilized Programs Programs TBA TBA
Traci Traci Administration
Watts Watts System
TBA TBA
State State Director Director TBA
TBA TBA
LCDBG, LCDBG, LGAP, LGAP, CWEF CWEF
TBA
TBA
TBA
Sexual Harassment Preven
Supervisors
Karen White, Executive C
Louisiana Municipal Asso
3:30 3:30 – 4:30 – 4:30 p.m. p.m. MPERS MPERS Updates Updates to Pension to Pension Sexual Sexual Harassment Harassment Prevention Prevention for for
Administration System System Supervisors Supervisors
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 TBA p.m. TBA Evening Reception Karen Karen White, White, Executive Executive Counsel Counsel
Entertainment: Louisiana Louisiana Ragin Municipal Municipal Cajun Association John Association Morgan
Heidelberg Room on the 10th floor
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. LMCA Annual Banquet, Board Installation &
6:00 6:00 p.m. p.m. – 7:00 – 7:00 p.m. p.m. Evening Evening Reception Reception
Entertainment: Service Ragin Awards Ragin Cajun Cajun John John Morgan Morgan
Heidelberg Heidelberg Room Room on the on 10th the 10th floor floor
7:00 7:00 p.m. p.m. – 9:00 – 9:00 p.m. p.m. LMCA LMCA Annual Annual Banquet, Banquet, Board Board Installation Installation & &
Service Service Awards Awards
Presiding:
Invocation:
2020-2021 LMCA President 2020-2021 LMCA Secretary/Tre
Presiding: Presiding:
Introduction Invocation: of Invocation: Head Table and Guests:
2020-2021 2020-2021 LMCA LMCA President President 2020-2021 2020-2021 LMCA LMCA Secretary/Treasurer
2020-2021 LMCA Secretary/Treasurer
Introduction Introduction of Head of Head Table Table and Guests: and Guests:
2020-2021 2020-2021 Installation LMCA LMCA Secretary/Treasurer
of LMCA 2020-2021 Officers & New Trust
Honorable Donald J. Villere
Installation Installation of LMCA of LMCA 2020-2021 2020-2021 Officers Officers & New & New Trustees: Trustees:
Honorable Honorable Mayor, Donald Donald J. Mandeville Villere J. Villere & LMA District I Vice President
Mayor, Mayor, Mandeville Mandeville & LMA & LMA District District I Vice I Vice President President
Presentation of LMCA Past President’s Award:
Presentation Presentation 2020-2021 of LMCA of LMCA Past LMCA Past President’s President’s Award: Award:
2020-2021 2020-2021 LMCA LMCA President President
Presentation of LMCA Service Awards:
Presentation Presentation of LMCA of LMCA Service Service Awards: Awards:
2020-2021 2020-2021 2020-2021 LMCA LMCA Public Public LMCA Relations Relations Public Officer Officer Relations Officer
Louisiana Municipal Clerks Clerks Association
Association
P.O. Box P.O. 4327, Box 4327, Baton Baton Rouge, Rouge, LA 70821 LA 70821 Toll Free Toll Free (800) (800) 234-8274 234-8274 Phone Phone (225) (225) 344-5001 344-5001 Contact: Contact: Kelly Kelly Drone Drone at kelly@lma.org
at P.O. Box 4327, Baton Rouge, LA 70821 Toll Free (800) 234-8274 Phone (225) 344-5001 Contact: Kelly Drone at kelly@lma.org
LMR | February 2020 Page 9

LAMSA Annual Spring Conference
Our spring conference will be held
April 1-3, 2020 at the Margaritaville
Hotel and Resort Center in
Bossier City.
Accommodations
A block of rooms at The Margaritaville Casino Resort been
reserved. Rooms are $107 for single or double occupancy.
Smoking or nonsmoking rooms are available. Breakfast is
included with the room for those who are staying on site.
Participants should make room reservations directly with the
hotel by calling 1-855-346-2489 (toll free) and asking for the
LAMSA block rate. This rate will be held only until March 18,
2020. You must have a credit card for check in for incidentals
as well as a valid certificate for tax exemption. The form can be
found on the LAMSA website for your convenience, www.lma.
org/LAMSA20.
Wednesday Tour!
On Wednesday, we will meet at the front entrance of the hotel
promptly at 1:00 p.m. We will be touring two museums: The J.
Bennett Johnston Museum, which gives the history of the Red
River, how it flows, its benefits and how it affects Bossier and
Shreveport and also the Spring Street Museum which gives
the history of Bossier City. We will have bus service available.
The cost is free to LAMSA members. Guests who want to go
on tour and have lunch with members on Thursday may do so
for a fee of $50. Tour only is $20 per guest. Checks should be
made payable to LAMSA and sent to Marlaine at the below
address no later than March 15.
Annual Business Meeting/Election of
Officers
At this conference we will hold our annual business meeting
and every member of the board is up for election. If you would
like to serve, applications are on our website. Refer to our
bylaws for all positions. Directors at large must be members
of LAMSA for two years. Executive Officers must be members
of the board for one year. All applications must include a letter
from your Mayor or Supervisor and mailed or emailed to Marlaine
no later than March 3, 2020.
Scholarship
If you would like to attend the conference and your municipality
is not able to financially support your attendance, you
may submit a Scholarship Application (available on website)
no later than March 3, 2020. You must be a member (dues
current) to apply or submit your membership fee of $50 with
the application. Please follow the criteria on the website,
www.lma.org/LAMSA20, along with a letter from your Mayor
or Supervisor.
An educational scholarship will be awarded at this spring
conference. Application forms and criteria are on the website.
Applications are also due by March 3, 2020.
Certification
LAMSA currently has 230 members; 120 have attained the
prestigious Certified Municipal Assistant (CMA) designation.
To meet certification requirements, members must earn 100
education points and 50 experience points. Information and
application forms are on our website, www.lma.org/lamsa20.
Bring a Coworker!
Invite a fellow employee to attend LAMSA’s Spring Conference
and enjoy the learning experience together! For each person
you bring that has never attended a previous conference,
your name and the new attendee’s name will be entered in a
drawing for a prize.
Gift Exchange
If you would like to participate in the gift exchange (not mandatory),
please bring a gift worth $15 (no gag gifts). Put your
name or business card on the gift.
Registration information and the brochure with full details is
available on our website at www.lma.org/LAMSA20.
Stay tuned to the LMA newsletter for updates. For more information
contact Marlaine Peachey at lamsaconference@att.net
or 985-630-1798. Hope to see you there!
Page 10
LMR | February 2020

A Word from
Our Affiliates
Conference Agenda
10:00 a.m. LAMSA Board Meeting
Lunch on your own
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
1:00 p.m. Bossier City Museum tour
Meet in lobby for tour at 1:00.
4:30 p.m. Return to hotel
6:00 p.m. Dinner on your own
Thursday, April 2, 2020
7:00 – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast/Registration
8:30 – 8:45 a.m. President's Welcome &
Announcements
Myra Streeter,CMA, LAMSA President
8:45 – 9:00 a.m. Welcome
Mayor Lorenz Walker
Bossier City
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Mandatory Sexual
Harassment Prevention
Ms. Janet Vincent Certified Facilitator
Project Coordinator, City of DeRidder
10:00 – 10:15 a.m. Break
10:15 – 11:15 a.m. Cybersecurity: Protecting
Your City and You
Mr. James Waskom, Director
Governor’s Office of Homeland
Security
11:15 – 12:15 p.m. Annual Business Meeting and
Election of Officers,
CMA Awards Recertifications,
Sponsor Highlights
12:15 – 1:30 p.m. Luncheon
1:30 – 2:15 p.m. Risks and Long-Term Effects
of Bullying in the Workplace
Rechelle Simmone and Camilla Brown
Partners Against Bullying, Houma, LA
2:15 – 3:15 p.m. Discovering the Value of Time
Management
Marlaine Peachey, Regional Speaker
Trainer
Executive Assistant to the Mayor of
Mandeville
3:15 – 3:30 p.m. Break
3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Building A Better You
Carl Qualls, Shreveport LA
Ziglar Legacy Certified Trainer
Dinner on your own
Friday, April 3, 2020
7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:30 – 10:00 a.m. Mayor's Panel
10:00 – 10:15 a.m. Break
10:15 – 10:30 a.m. Evaluations, Gift Exchange
Conference Certificates
10:30 – 12 Noon Live Refreshed
Dr. Dennis Swanberg
Teacher, Motivational Speaker
Swanberg Ministries
12 Noon Adjournment, Yvonne Lewis,
CMA, LAMSA President
LMR | February 2020 Page 11

Treasury Notes
Louisiana Asset Management Pool Celebrates 25 Years
By State Treasurer John M. Schroder
The Louisiana Asset Management Pool (LAMP)
celebrated its 25th anniversary this year, and as
Treasurer it’s a privilege to serve as the investment
pool’s president. LAMP began in 1994 as a cooperative
endeavor to help local Louisiana governmental entities
invest their cash balances.
By pooling investments with other municipalities and
political subdivisions, LAMP participants take advantage
of services and money management that are usually only
available to very large investors. There truly is strength in
numbers when it comes to participating and investing in
the program.
Let’s say a group of local assessors have $50 million
to invest, but they need to access their money easily,
want great service, and need a decent rate of return.
By combining their $50 million with money from police
juries, port commissions, sheriffs’
offices and school boards, the total
available to invest is now much
higher. Working together, these
groups can receive greater benefits
than if they invested individually.
LAMP started out small with
a handful of local government
participants like the ones
mentioned above. It closed out
last fiscal year with $2.2 billion in
assets under management and
752 voluntary participants. Since
its inception, LAMP has generated
more than $620 million in nontaxable
revenue for participants
without any cost to Louisiana
taxpayers.
LAMP’s primary goal is to preserve
principal and maintain stability.
Participants have same-day access
to their funds and 24-hour access
to account information.
LAMP also operates a fee rebate
program to reduce administrative
and custodial expenses. LAMP
issued over $2 million in fee rebates
this past year and has refunded
$18.7 million since 2006.
LAMP continues to perform well in
the financial markets. They closed
2019 with a 30-day yield of 1.70%.
LAMP maintained an outstanding rating of AAAm from
Standard & Poor’s and received the 25th consecutive,
unmodified audit opinion from the Legislative Auditor’s
Office.
Municipalities, parish governments, school boards,
sheriffs, district attorneys, utility districts, local
governments and other political subdivisions are eligible
to enroll and enjoy the program’s benefits. LAMP would
love to grow even more, so if you aren’t already a
member, we encourage you to take a look.
For more information about LAMP, please contact the
office at 1-800-249-5267 or visit LAMP online at www.
lamppool.com.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
BOAL Annual Conference
March 15-17, 2020
Location:
DoubleTree - Lafayette
1521 W Pinhook Road
Lafayette, LA
Register at :
www.myboal.org
Page 12
LMR | February 2020

Partner Insight
Rural Development
By Working Together, Louisiana Prospers
By Roy Holleman, State Director, USDA Rural Development
The United States of America (USDA) Rural Development
is committed to helping improve the economy and
quality of life for rural Louisianans. In Fiscal Year 2019,
USDA invested over $1 billion to build prosperity and help
strengthen rural communities in many ways.
Small rural towns throughout the state are challenged with
securing funding for vital resources to not just grow, but
thrive. USDA Rural Development offers over fifty financial
assistance programs, to assist municipalities with loans
and grants to improve broadband infrastructure, housing,
business and economic development, access to essential
services like healthcare, city halls, fire departments, and
clean drinking water, and electric infrastructure.
Through the Single-Family Housing Programs, Rural
Development invested more than $696 million to help
families either buy or build new homes or make vital
improvements to their existing homes. The Multi-Family
Housing Program received over $48 million to help low
income families, elderly, and disabled individuals as well
as farm laborers with affordable rental options and rental
assistance.
Through the Business and Cooperative Programs, Rural
Development invested $361 million to assist entrepreneurs
with financial backing to start or expand an existing
business, create and save jobs, and enhance economic
prosperity in the process. Assistance was also provided
to help agriculture producers tap into new market
opportunities. Small and emerging businesses received
financial support and technical assistance such as project
planning and feasibility studies to stimulate opportunities
for growth.
Modern community infrastructure and facilities are key
drivers of rural prosperity. Through
the Water and Environmental
Programs (WEP), Rural Development
provided over $7 million to help
communities with technical and
financial help to construct, improve, repair, and maintain
water and wastewater systems to provide safe drinking
water and sanitary solid waste disposal. Through the
Community Facilities Program, we provided over $15
million to support improvements for schools, hospitals,
and funding other essential services for public use in
rural communities. These developments will help enhance
the health and safety of those who live and work in rural
areas and are especially critical given today’s aging
infrastructure and lack of funding sources in rural towns.
Through Distance Learning and Telemedicine Programs,
Rural Development provided $1 million to connect schools
and medical service providers to improve the availability of
health care and educational opportunities for rural families
and communities.
As leaders and citizens, your guidance for change is
extremely important. My staff and I look forward to
working with you to ensure rural families, businesses, and
communities have the help they need to prosper, today
and in the future. We stand ready to be your partner in
prosperity for rural Louisiana. Please contact me at roy.
holleman@usda.gov or (318) 473-7921, to let us know how
we can help.
For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/la and follow
us on Twitter @RD_Louisiana and receive emails through
GovDelivery for program updates. When rural America
thrives, all of America thrives.
Attorney General’s Opinions
BY JEFF LANDRY, ATTORNEY GENERAL
Dual Officeholding
Opinion: 19-0119 The provisions of the
Dual Officeholding and Dual Employment
Law prohibit a member of the
Board of Aldermen of the Town of Urania
from serving as a police officer of the
Town of Urania. Released: 12/30/2019
Opinion: 19-0166 The provisions of the Dual Officeholding and
Dual Employment Law do not prohibit a member of the Board
of Commissioners of the Mosquito District No. 1 of the Parish of
Tangipahoa from serving as State Representative for District 73.
Released: 1/10/2020
Opinion: 20-0002 The provisions of the Dual Officeholding
and Dual Employment Law do not prohibit a full time Special
Education Parent Facilitator employed by the Ascension Parish
School Board from serving as State Representative for District
88. Released: 1/10/2020
Special Taxing Districts
Opinion: 19-0138 The Educational Facilities Improvement District
of St. Landry Parish may withhold three months of tax proceeds
in a given year, so as not to expend all of the proceeds of its one
percent sales tax, as long as the District does not spend any tax
proceeds contrary to the ballot language as adopted by the
citizens of the District. Released: 1/15/2020
LMR | February 2020 Page 13

Cyber Attacks on the Rise
Moody’s Rating Agency just released a report that
we think is especially timely and beneficial to local
governments:
Targeted ransomware attacks, in which attackers
block access to victims’ data or computer systems in
exchange for a ransom payment, picked up speed in
2019 and will continue to gain pace in 2020. In prior
years, ransomware attacks had been opportunistic,
often distributed at random to individual computer
users with ransom amounts in the low hundreds of
dollars.
But more recently, attackers have also stolen
data that they then threaten to release publicly if
they are not paid. Release of sensitive data adds
reputational and data breach concerns for victims,
GOVERNMENT CONSULTANTS, INC.
Specializing in Bond Issues and Financing
as well as creating risk of losing intellectual property.
Targeted ransomware attacks have hit regional
and local governments (RLGs) particularly hard.
Private entities may be able to hide the effects of
a ransomware attack from the public, but it is clear
when a local municipality can no longer provide
services to its constituents. While 70% of victim
RLGs assert that they have not paid the ransom,
cybercriminals are profiting significantly from the
victims that do pay, making it likely that RLGs will
remain targets in 2020.
Local governments need to allocate some of their
resources to this topic to ensure the efficient operation
of their cities. Contact LMA IT Director Tracy Melancon
to discover what resources are available for LMA
members through the MAP-IT program.
L. Gordon King
Dede Riggins
Nnamdi I. Thompson
Shaun B. Toups
David M. Medlin
James R. Ryan
Stephen Holley
(MSRB Registered Municipal Advisors)
700 North 10 th Street Annex Bldg.
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
(225) 344‐2098 (Phone) (225) 344‐5952 (Fax)
gcla@gc‐la.net (email)
OVERVIEW
Modern day government has become a large financial
enterprise, handling millions of dollars and facing
service and revenue pressures. The governing
authority and Administrator(s) face complex financial
decisions ranging from the impact of property and
sales taxes to the financing of capital improvements.
As government finance has become more complex,
the need for financial advice to base decisions upon
has. The services of an expert Municipal Advisor are
being used by more and more grown governmental
units.
A Municipal Advisor (or “MA”) serves as a
consultant advising the governing authority on
matters relating to the following:
Financial feasibility of projects;
Total cost analysis of financing alternatives;
Review of capital improvement financing
programs;
Advice on the structuring and marketing of debt
securities.
The MA is an integral member of the governing
authority’s management team, providing advice and
analysis to assist in financial decision‐making.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
FINANCE ANALYSIS
• Analyzing available alternatives in relation to
cost to the governing authority and providing
financial guidance and recommendations;
• Analyzing from a cost/benefit standpoint the
use of incentives (free land, subsidy of bond
issues, utility improvements) to attract
industry;
• Providing a detailed upfront and long‐term
financial analysis of costs to the governing
authority versus benefits of the specific
project; and
• Serving as an economic development finance
resource for the Governing Authority.
We Have The Experience!
Page 14
LMR | February 2020

Partner Insight
I am excited to serve as your
Lieutenant Governor for another
term. As Lieutenant Governor
for ALL of Louisiana, I pledge to
continue to promote every area of
the state. Over the last four years
there have been some great successes in the tourism
industry which can be seen by our record breaking
tourism numbers where we welcomed 51.3 million
visitors in 2018. That’s the largest number of visitors
since we’ve been tracking tourism numbers.
Unfortunately, Louisianans failed to use nearly 8.9
million vacation days in 2018, leaving more than
25% of their earned time off on the table. We’d like
to encourage all Louisianans to plan a staycation
here in Louisiana. In fact, consider taking your family
somewhere across the state to experience Carnival
season like never before.
Go to MardiGras.LouisianaTravel.com to plan your Mardi Gras
trip. With easy to use tools, you can plan an exciting
staycation to experience an area of Louisiana you’ve
never traveled. Not all Mardi Gras celebrations are
created equal. Go off the beaten parade route to laissez
le bon temps
rouler, or “let
the good times
roll” with some
of our weirdest,
craziest, and
most authentic
ways to enjoy
Carnival
season here in
Louisiana.
This year on
Mardi Gras
Day at airports
in five major
cities around
the country,
Southwest
Airlines will
help travelers
experience
a bit of the
excitement.
All passengers
on Southwest
Laissez les bon temps rouler!
BY LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BILLY NUNGESSER
Airlines flights
will receive Mardi
Gras beads from
gate attendants
wearing Louisiana:
Feed Your Soul hats
at airports in
Houston, Atlanta,
Nashville, Dallas
and Denver. This
is just one way
we are helping
to share of bit of
our Fat Tuesday
revelry with
tourists around
the country.
Lake Charles Lighted Boat Parade- Credit Monsours Photography
And for those
who already live
Pineville Lighted Night Parade
here, plan your
Mardi Gras festivities by going to MardiGras.LouisianaTravel.
com and explore all the possibilities for a Louisiana
Staycation this Carnival season.
LMR | February 2020 Page 15

There’s Strength
In Our Numbers.
For a quarter of a century, LAMP has delivered solid
returns and impressive economies of scale to our members.
We now manage $2.2 billion in assets for more than
750 local government entities throughout Louisiana.
JOHN M. SCHRODER, SR.
Louisiana State Treasurer
LAMP, Inc. President
Find out how our consistent, conservative portfolio
management can help strenghten your organization.
THEODORE C. SANDERS, III
Chief Executive Officer
LAMP, Inc.
Call 800-249-LAMP or visit www.lamppool.com to learn more.
No transaction fees | Same-day access to your entire investment | Rated AAAm by Standard & Poor’s
Page 16
LMR | February 2020

Municipalities
Show Me the Money: Essentials of Grant Funding
Diversifying financial portfolios in organizations
is critical, for any market condition.
Obtaining a grant is just another way
to diversify that portfolio, and to make
money.
A grant is free money. If you are not applying for
grants then your organization is leaving money
on the table, while other organizations reap the
benefits. Fierce Funding will help you to learn all
aspects involved with writing a winning grant.
You will also learn where to find the funders/grant
makers, how to apply for funding opportunities,
how to laser focus on your project ideas and narrative
and “marry” those ideas and narrative to a
funder’s focal areas. In addition, all grants present
with reporting requirements. You will learn how
to identify those requirements while writing the grant application
and, again, how to manage the grant funds once awarded.
Funding opportunities presented will include those from:
Foundations, Government and State Agencies, Corporations,
and more. Fierce Funding is an interactive course that is highly
rated by all participants. This course is facilitated by two seasoned
grant-writers that understand, and will convey to you,
the art of grant writing and management.
This course is excellent for a beginning grant writer or one
that is highly seasoned. All municipalities are encouraged to
attend and will benefit from this course.
Tuesday, February 11, 2020
9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Main Street Community Center
708 Main St, Pineville, LA 71360
What You Will Learn:
• How to Identify Grants
• Grant Writing Skills
• Funder Expectations
• Funder Focal Areas
• Why Grants Are Important to Municipalities
What You Will Receive:
• Course Materials
• Free Handouts to Assist in Future Grant Writing Activities
• Listing of Regional, Statewide, and National Funders | Funding
Sources
Course Topics:
• Finding Funders
A listing of local, state, regional, and national funders will be
presented. Accessing Foundation, Corporate, and Governmental
grants will be presented. The differences between these
various grant applications will be heavily
illustrated. Also, how to navigate the
many online funders will be thoroughly
discussed. You will also leave with a list
of funders and funding repositories to
start your search! All funders and repositories
are updated in the same quarter that the
course occurs.
• RFP’S | RFQ’S | APPLICATIONS
From start to finish, you will learn how applications
differ from funder to funder. Then, each
section of an application will be discussed and
presented. These sections include, but are not
limited to statement of work, letters of inquiry,
project narratives and timelines, goals and objectives,
outcome measurements/metrics, evaluations, budgeting,
specific focal areas of funders and how to integrate those
areas into your project. Learning to write a compelling value
statement will also be presented.
• Your Project and Management
Bring your ideas and/or your current application to the course.
Via interactive activities, open-discussions, and on-site writing
exercises you will learn how to further develop your project
and grant application. Additional time will be spent on learning
to properly manage a grant award.
• Not A Writer?
Grant writing is more about how to complete the application
successfully than it is about the writing. The course will focus
on illustrating to you the various areas of an application process.
The instructors will also teach you specific grant writing
skills, and the particulars of hiring a grant writer.
• Innovative Data Research, Collection and Sharing
You will explore various types of online data repositories, research
tools, and how to expertly collect, analyze and report
data that is necessary for a winning grant.
• Building Authentic Relationships with Funders
Relationships are everything. You will learn when and how to
start a funder relationship, how to interact once the award is
granted, and ways to insure that your funder relationship remains
authentic.
• Managing the Grant Award
Municipalities have a unique challenge with grant’s management.
Where some can afford to hire a grant writer and a grant’s
administrator, others do not have this luxury. kiisa will walk you
through the proper ways to manage your grant awards, regardless
of your staffing issues.
LMR | February 2020 Page 17

Seminar Leaders:
Sharon Sandifer, M.Ed. is Co-Founder and Chairwoman/Chief
Executive Officer of the workplace training and consulting firm,
kiisa corporation. Sharon is a successful author, grant researcher,
educator, and educational
entrepreneur. She has
created three companies,
including co-founding kiisa
corporation with her
brother, David. She has
held positions in executive
management with
retail corporations in
New Orleans, Louisiana and Houston, Texas. She has assisted in
corporate streamlining activities for business processes, as well
as launching and measuring cost-saving programs for corporate
staffing, supervisors, managers, CEO’s, and corporate owners/
boards.
David Kiviaho is Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of the
workplace training and consulting firm, kiisa corporation. He is
a successful author, grant writer, technical writer, inspirational
speaker, and consultant. He has been instrumental in providing
programmatic, developmental, and educational services for business
and highly visible non-profits. David has also served in executive
management positions handling business operations for
several organizations. His experience also includes managing all
Human Resource activities, state and federal contracts, and contract
negotiations for a highly competitive biomedical firm serving
the southeastern United States.
Do You Deserve a Community Disaster
Leadership/Recognition Award?
LeadersLink is establishing an annual nationwide award
to recognize a current or former elected official at the
city or county level whose efforts have enabled his or
her community to recover successfully from a disaster. It
is named in honor of LeadersLink's first disaster mentor,
former Waveland, Mississippi Mayor Tommy Longo,
who passed away in 2019 and spent years coaching
communities around the country through the disaster
recovery process.
Who is eligible to be nominated for this award?
Any individual elected to office at the city or county level
of a community that suffered physical damage following a
disaster sometime in the past 10 years.
Who may submit nominations for this award?
Any individual or organization interested or involved
in city/county governance, community emergency
preparedness or disaster recovery. Individuals may selfnominate
for this award.
Where are the nominations to be sent?
Complete and submit the nomination information (see
link below) or if you’ve received a form via email, send the
completed form to info@leaderslink.org. Nominations are
due by February 29, 2020.
What are the evaluation/selection criteria for this
award?
• Recent Disaster – Disaster must have occurred after
January 1, 2010.
• Resilience – The city or county is thriving and has
successfully recovered.
• Extent of damage – The community suffered at least 40
percent physical damage.
• Staying Power – The community was able to maintain at
least 90 percent of its pre-disaster population.
• Speed of recovery.
• Initiative and innovation displayed during recovery.
• Efforts made by the official to protect the community
from future disaster losses.
When will the winner be announced?
The winner will be announced in the spring of 2020 and
the award will be presented in a ceremony in the winner’s
community.
Please submit by 2/29/2020. Go to leaderslink.org for more
information or to submit a nomination.
Page 18
LMR | February 2020

Feature
Counting the Cost
BY KAREN DAY WHITE, LMA EXECUTIVE COUNSEL
It is a perennial complaint that Louisiana’s
tax system is complex and unnecessarily
convoluted. As discussed
in the December issue of this publication,
proponents of removing local
governmental authority to collect
sales and use taxes use this complaint
as a chief selling point for a
single bureaucratic tax collector – as
if creating a new behemoth bureaucracy
would somehow streamline the tax system. Without
rehashing previous examinations of such a plan, the
bottom line is that central sales tax collection in no way
resolves the problems of sales tax complexity. Indeed,
the current state of Louisiana’s sales and use tax system
is the cumulative effect of generations of legislation carving
out particular persons and property from taxation.
In Louisiana, there are two categories of discharging
a person or property from taxation - tax exemptions
and tax exclusions – and the distinctions between them
carry consequences. A tax exemption is a statutory
provision that excuses from taxation a transaction that
would otherwise be subject to tax. A tax exclusion, on
the other hand, carves out transactions as being outside
of the scope of the statute that levies the tax from
the beginning. Tax exemptions are strictly construed in
favor of the taxing authority and the taxpayer claiming
exemption must affirmatively establish entitlement to
the exemption. Tax exclusions, however, are construed
in favor of the taxpayer, shifting the burden to the taxing
authority to disprove application of the exclusion to the
situation. In other words, taxpayers bear the burden of
proof for tax exemptions, and tax collectors bear the
burden of disproving tax exclusions.
Further complicating this distinction is the fact that there
is no special language that would mark tax relief as either
an exemption or an exclusion. Rather, we must look to
legislative intent in the context of the statutory framework
to make that determination.
Against the backdrop of this difficult language stands
the stunning fact that there are currently over 200 tax
exemptions and exclusions scattered in the law and our
constitution. This would be Goliath challenge if we were
just talking about exemptions and exclusions from state
taxation. But it’s bigger than that. Some of these exemptions
and exclusions are mandatory for local governments
and some are discharges from taxation that local
governments may opt into; some only apply to the state
and some only apply to local governments. In short, it’s
complicated.
TAX EXEMPTIONS AREN'T
FREE...
COUNTING
THE COST
to Local Government
ESTIMATED LOST REVENUE
TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
STATEWIDE
Motor Fuels Tax Exemption
$ 361,916,000
Commercial and Non-
Residential Electricity Exemption
$ 134,387,000
Installation of Tangible
Personal Property Exemption
$ 29,761,000
"THERE ARE CURRENTLY OVER 200
TAX EXEMPTIONS AND EXCLUSIONS
SCATTERED IN STATE LAW AND OUR
CONSTITUTION, THE CUMULATIVE
EFFECT OF WHICH IS AN ESTIMATED
$1,368,661,000 OF LOST TAX
REVENUE TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
STATEWIDE IN FY20."
LMR | February 2020 Page 19

It is important to emphasize here that local governments – unlike the state – generally do not have the
unilateral authority to levy a new tax without a vote of the people. As
a result, local governments are especially accountable to voters, who
expect to see tangible results in exchange for endowing their local
governments with the authority to collect a particular tax.
Though many legislators
vocally criticize the
complexity of Louisiana’s
sales and use tax
system, it seems that
a least a few new tax
exemptions are added
to the books every
year. Sorting through
this mass of tax relief to
determine fiscal impacts
on local governments is
an arduous task, to say
the least. We believe,
however, that it is worth
the effort to dive into
some of these exemptions
to demonstrate
their fiscal impacts on
local governments statewide.
The figures herein
have been calculated
based on population
data and fiscal information
provided by the
Louisiana Department of
Revenue’s Tax Exemption
Budget for 2019.
One of the mandatory sales tax exemptions imposed on
local governments relates to the sale, use, consumption,
distribution or storage of gasoline (La. R.S. 47:305(D)(1)
local (a)). authority It is estimated and autonomy. that local governments will be forced
to leave as much as $361,916,000 on the table for FY20
because of this exemption. For East Baton Rouge Parish
alone, the missed revenue will amount to $34,152,109; but
even in rural parishes, the numbers are astonishing. In
Webster Parish, which makes up only 0.83% of the state’s
population, the loss totals $3,004,911. At a time when the
state’s transportation infrastructure backlog is over $12
billion, there is a vacuum of funding options for the repair
and maintenance of municipal roadways, so the fact that
local motor fuel taxation is not even an option for local
voters seems all the more poignant.
La. R.S. 47:305(D)(1)(d) prohibits local governments from
imposing a tax on electricity and any materials or energy
sources used to generate electricity for resale or used
by industrial manufacturing plants for self-consumption
or cogeneration, resulting in an annual estimated statewide
loss for FY20 of $134,387,000. Again, both large
and small parishes feel the impacts of this exemption for
non-residential customers. In Jefferson Parish, $12,517,401
is at stake, and in Beauregard Parish, it’s $1,074,322.
There is a litany of exemptions that relate to tangible
personal property, many of which are so complex that
there is pile of case law the draws definitional lines. One
of those exemptions relates to installation charges on
moveable personal property, set forth in La. R.S. 47:301(3)
(a). For FY20, the approximate loss of taxable revenue to
local government totals $29,761,000. Even the least affected
parish demonstrates potential funding that could
be essential to those rural communities – Tensas Parish at
$28,497.
There have been intermittent legislative attempts to eliminate one or
If one is to argue more of the longstanding tax revenue streams for local governments,
that the state including the oft-misunderstood ad valorem tax on inventory. As wellintentioned
legislators wrestled with the notion of how to replace the
should reduce or
eliminate devastating loss of revenue that would result, they seemed to return
budgetary to the same conclusion each time: that the diversity of local
allocations to government tax bases does not allow for one generic solution, and that
locals, then that restoring the ability of locals to generate their own funding for essential
push must be needs may be the key to sustainable tax system reform.
accompanied by a
willingness to untie In the meantime, local government associations, tax collectors, and
the hands of local leaders continue to work toward real solutions to sales and use tax
governments to complexity. Locals have been instrumental in the positive steps in that
raise their own direction, from enactment of the Uniform Local Sales Tax Code (ULSTC),
revenue through to the creation of the single parish collector system, to participation on
taxpayer-approved the Louisiana Sales Tax Streamlining and Modernization Commission
levies. (STSMC), to (most recently) creating and sitting on the Louisiana
Uniform Local Sales Tax Board and the Louisiana Sales and Use Tax
Commission for Remote Sellers. The LMA values our unwavering partnership with parishes, sheriffs,
school boards, district attorneys, law enforcement, firefighters, and other local government stakeholders,
and we will continue to work toward viable solutions for streamlining taxation in a manner that preserves
The implications of these calculations are clear. As some
legislators and private stakeholders debate the fate of
local governments, we assert that the complex system of
taxation and the dynamic of state-shared funding with
local governments are intertwined. If one is to argue
that the state should reduce or eliminate budgetary allocations
to locals, then that push must be accompanied
by a willingness to untie the hands of local governments
to raise their own revenue through taxpayer-approved
levies.
It is important to emphasize here that local governments
– unlike the state – generally do not have the unilateral
authority to levy a new tax without a vote of the people.
As a result, local governments are especially accountable
to voters, who expect to see tangible results in exchange
for endowing their local governments with the authority
to collect a particular tax.
There have been intermittent legislative attempts to
eliminate one or more of the longstanding tax revenue
streams for local governments, including the oft-misunderstood
ad valorem tax on inventory. As well-intentioned
legislators wrestled with the notion of how to
replace the devastating loss of revenue that would result,
they seemed to return to the same conclusion each time:
that the diversity of local government tax bases does
not allow for one generic solution, and that restoring
the ability of locals to generate their own funding for
essential needs may be the key to sustainable tax system
reform.
In the meantime, local government associations, tax collectors,
and leaders continue to work toward real solutions
to sales and use tax complexity. Locals have been
instrumental in the positive steps in that direction, from
enactment of the Uniform Local Sales Tax Code (ULSTC),
to the creation of the single parish collector system, to
participation on the Louisiana Sales Tax Streamlining and
Modernization Commission (STSMC), to (most recently)
creating and sitting on the Louisiana Uniform Local Sales
Tax Board and the Louisiana Sales and Use Tax Commission
for Remote Sellers. The LMA values our unwavering
partnership with parishes, sheriffs, school boards, district
attorneys, law enforcement, firefighters, and other local
government stakeholders, and we will continue to work
toward viable solutions for streamlining taxation in a
manner that preserves local authority and autonomy.
Page 20
LMR | February 2020

Feature
Small Towns, Big Ideas
SOME RURAL LOUISIANA HOMES, HOSPITALS STILL HAVE SLOW INTERNET.
A $15M PROJECT AIMS TO HELP.
BY YOUSSEF RDDAD | STAFF WRITER | THEADVOCATE.COM
In an effort to bridge a gap in internet speeds between
rural and urban communities, federal officials on Tuesday
announced a $15.5 million project to expand high-speed
connections in rural parishes west of Baton Rouge.
The project will roll out more than 200 miles of fiber
optic cable to help 2,609 homes, 12 businesses, and 16
farms in Iberville, St. Landry and Pointe Coupee parishes
reach faster speeds, according to the U.S. Department of
Agriculture.
It’s the latest push in a wider effort to bridge disparities
between urban centers and rural areas, which have
few — if any — options for fast internet. Observers say
cripplingly slow speeds have left residents, businesses,
hospitals and schools unable to meet modern demands
in an increasingly digital world.
“When students can do their homework at home and
not at a McDonald’s, it’s worth it,” said Leslie Durham,
the governor’s designee to the Delta Regional Authority
during a Tuesday morning event announcing the project
in Grosse Tete.
Maringouin-based Star Communications Inc. will receive
a $7.7 million grant and matching loan from the federal
government.
Tim May, the company’s CEO, said he expects the entire
project will take about five years to complete. The
company plans to begin as early as this summer.
Roy Hollemon and Michael Chauffe
Once finished, customers will have a handful of packages
to choose from ranging from $40 to $100 per month
for internet speeds that match what customers in Baton
Rouge and New Orleans enjoy.
“That’s something we worry about, the urban versus rural
digital divide,” May said. “We want to pare that so that
you can go to Baton Rouge and get the same gig speeds
and go over to Grosse Tete and get the same.”
People in rural parishes often rely on their cell phones
or satellite internet service, which is far slower and less
reliable than cable or fiber optic internet.
About 494,000 rural Louisiana residents don’t have
access to an internet connection that’s needed to
efficiently run devices for web-browsing, emails
and other basic uses, according to consumer
website BroadbandNow.
“USDA is committed to this strong partnership
with rural communities in deploying this critical
infrastructure,” said Roy Hollemon, the USDA’s rural
development director for Louisiana. “We know when
rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
In Iberville and St. Landry parishes, about 85% of
people have access to those necessary speeds,
despite only being a few miles from parishes with
faster internet.
That’s compared to more than 98% of residents
of Baton Rouge, New Orleans and the suburban
LMR | February 2020 Page 21

parishes between them, according to BroadBandNow.
Lafayette also had roughly 98% connectivity to fast
speeds.
Sluggish internet speeds are a reality Iberville STEM
Academy senior Ariel Williams knows all too well.
The school has increasingly put a focus on computerized
assignments. But at times Williams has to stop and
restart her internet router then wait several minutes for
her work to buffer at her home in Maringouin, which is
among the communities getting a speed boost.
Other times, she and her classmates have to find a
library or use the hotspot from their phones. “It’s real
aggravating,” Williams said.
Hospitals and medical facilities have also begun
offering services for rural patients to video chat with
doctors, which often spares them from making a long
trip. Farmers have increasingly begun to use more
technology in recent years that rely on strong internet
connections for things like soil sensors and even
autonomous tractors.
Grosse Tete Mayor Michael Chauffe said internet speeds
is often a sticking point for businesses in developers
who want to build there. The antiquated copper lines
that connect homes and businesses in town are slow and
sometimes unreliable.
With the prospect of faster speeds, the mayor said that
could give residential and business development a jolt in
the near future.
“The old saying goes: ‘If you build it, they will come,’”
he said. “Now we can say we have high-speed, optic
internet.”
LDAF’S INDIAN CREEK WINNER OF LOUISIANA TOURISM AWARD
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s
(LDAF’s) Indian Creek Recreation Area is this year’s
recipient of the Campground/RV Park of the Year award
by the Louisiana Travel Association (LTA).
The LTA presented 19 “Louey Awards” at its annual
meeting in Clarenton, La. to honor and showcase
individuals and organizations contributing to the
Louisiana tourism industry.
“We have worked very hard to make Indian Creek
a destination for Louisiana residents and visitors
from all over,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and
Forestry Mike Strain, D.V.M. “The pristine and tranquil
grounds offer camping, boating, fishing and a beautiful
playground area. There are a variety of activities for
family fun,” added Strain.
Indian Creek Recreation Area, located in Woodworth,
La., includes 100 acres of developed recreation facilities,
250 acres of primitive camping area, and the 2,250 acre
Indian Creek Lake. The recreation area has more than
100 campsites with water and electricity. Other amenities
include three beaches, five bathrooms, laundry facilities,
playground, handicap parking, boat launch, canoe
rentals, Wi-Fi (in RV area) and a covered pavilion which
is available for rent. Indian Creek is managed by the
LDAF.
Indian Creek Recreation Area also hosts several events
throughout the year such as the Golf Cart & Pet Mardi
Gras Parade, Easter egg hunts, Antique Tractor &
Classic Car Show, Indian Creek Triathlon, Fourth of July
fireworks, and trick-or-treating.
“It is wonderful to have such an important part of
our community honored with this award,” said Sherry
Photo courtesy of the Lt. Governor’s Office
Left to right: Andrew Stewart (LDAF employee), Commissioner Mike
Strain, Melissa Sylvia (LDAF employee)
Ellington, Executive Director, CEO of the Alexandria/
Pineville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Indian
Creek Recreation Area is beyond deserving of this
award because they are a huge draw for travelers to
our area and dedicated to improving the quality of
life for residents by offering a variety of events and
experiences.”
For more information on Indian Creek Recreation
Area, go to www.ldaf.la.gov or check out the Indian
Creek Recreation Area Facebook page at @
indiancreekrecreationareaLDAF.
Page 22
LMR | February 2020

Feature
Breaking Barriers:
Celebrating 42 Years of Trailblazing Mayors
In honor of Black History Month, the LMA is proud to recognize over four decades of
African American leaders who have broken through barriers to serve at the pinnacle of
local government. The list below is not all inclusive, yet it serves as an example of the
exemplary leadership gains that have been achieved statewide. We will continue to
highlight more mayors throughout the month on social media.
We are certainly excited that eight of the trailblazing mayors featured below are
current LMA members and board members – Jennifer Vidrine (LMA 2nd Vice President),
Clarence R. Fields (LMA Past President and February 2020 Louisiana Political Hall of Fame
inductee), Rodney Grogan (District J VP), Charles James (District F VP), Johnny Natt (VP
1,000-2,500), Sharon Weston Broome, LaToya Cantrell, and Jeff Hall.
Mayor Jennifer Vidrine Mayor Clarence Fields Mayor Rodney Grogan Mayor Charles James
Mayor Johnny Natt Mayor Sharon Weston Broome Mayor LaToya Cantrell Mayor Jeff Hall
1978 - First African-American elected mayor of New Orleans: Ernest Nathan Morial
1989 – First African-American elected mayor of Bastrop and first African-American LMA President: Clarence Hawkins
1989 - First African-American succeeds to the office of mayor of Minden: Robert T. Tobin
1996 - First African-American elected mayor of Monroe: Abe E. Pierce, III
1999 - First African-American mayor of Pineville: Clarence R. Fields
2004 - First African-American elected mayor of Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Melvin “Kip” Holden
2006 - First African-American elected mayor of Shreveport: Cedric Glover
2010 – First African-American elected mayor of Ville Platte: Jennifer Vidrine
2010 - First African-American elected mayor of Patterson: Rodney Grogan
2014 - First African-American woman elected mayor of Shreveport: Ollie S. Tyler
2015 - First African-American elected mayor of Mangham: Johnny Natt
2015 - First African-American elected mayor of Sunset: Charles James
2016 - First female elected Mayor-President of the City of Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish: Sharon Weston Broome
2018 - First female elected mayor of New Orleans: LaToya Cantrell
2018 - First African-American elected mayor of Alexandria: Jeffrey W. “Jeff” Hall
LMR | February 2020 Page 23

PRESORT
STANDARD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
BATON ROUGE, LA
PERMIT #319
Page 24
LMR | February 2020