05 May 2024 Final

05.24Louisiana Louisiana 

MUNICIPAL 

REVIEW 

VOL. 89 

ISSUE 5 

MAKING THE 

MOST OF 

DAY

The Louisiana Municipal Review, the official publication of the Louisiana Municipal Association, serves as a medium for the exchange 

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Statements or expressions of opinions appearing herein are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Louisiana Municipal 

Association. Statements or Publication expressions of any of opinions advertisement appearing shall herein not be are considered those of the an authors endorsement and not of necessarily the product those or service of the involved. Louisiana No Municipal material 

from Association. this publication Publication may of be any reprinted advertisement without shall the not express be considered permission an of endorsement the editor. of the product or service involved. No material 

from this publication may be reprinted without the express permission of the editor. 

Derrick Johnson, LMA President Rick Allen, First Vice President Ray Bourque, Second Vice President 

Mayor, Cheneyville Mayor, Leesville Mayor, Broussard 

Page 2 

Immediate Past President Michael Chauffe, Grosse Tete 

Immediate Past President – Michael Chauffe, Grosse Tete 

District Vice President Kim Gaspard, Mayor, Haughton 

District A Vice President – Kim Gaspard, Mayor, Haughton 

District Vice President Ronny Walker, Mayor, Ruston 

District B Vice President – Ronny Walker, Mayor, Ruston 

District Vice President Staci A. Mitchell, Mayor, West Monroe 

District 

District 

C 

D 

Vice 

Vice 

President 

President 

– Staci 

Howard 

A. Mitchell, 

“Keith” Lewing, 

Mayor, 


West Monroe 

Anacoco 

District E D Vice President – Rich Howard Dupree, “Keith” Mayor, Lewing, Pineville Mayor, Anacoco 

District E F Vice President – Charles Rich Dupree, James, Mayor, Mayor, Pineville Sunset 

District F G Vice President – Charles Chuck Robichaux, James, Mayor, Mayor, Sunset Rayne 

District G H Vice President – Edwin Chuck Robichaux, “Ed” Reeves, Mayor, Rayne Plaquemine 

District I H Vice President – Jean Edwin Pelloat, “Ed” Reeves, Mayor, Madisonville 

Mayor, Plaquemine 

District I J Vice President – Jean Rodney Pelloat, Grogan, Mayor, Mayor, Madisonville Patterson 

District J Vice President – Rodney Grogan, Mayor, Patterson 

LMA Past President Barney Arceneaux, Mayor, Gonzales 

LMA Past President – Barney Arceneaux, Mayor, Gonzales 

LMA Past President Johnny Berthelot, Councilman, Gonzales 

LMA Past President – Johnny Berthelot, Councilman, Gonzales 

LMA Past President David Butler, Mayor, Woodworth 

LMA Past President – David Butler, Mayor, Woodworth 

LMA Past President David Camardelle, Mayor, Grand Isle 

LMA 

LMA 

Past 

Past 

President 

President 

– David 

Harry Lewis, 

Camardelle, 



Rayville 

Grand Isle 

Vice LMA President Past President at Large – Harry – Julius Lewis, Alsandor, Mayor, Mayor, Rayville Opelousas 

Vice President at Large – Belinda Julius Alsandor, Constant, Mayor, Mayor, Opelousas Gretna 

Vice President at Large – Kevin Belinda Kately, Constant, Mayor, Mayor, Parks Gretna 

Vice President at Large – David Kevin Kately, Toups, Mayor, Parks Addis 

Vice President at Large – Darnell David Toups, Waites, Mayor, Addis Baker 

Vice President at Large – Darnell Waites, Mayor, Baker 

LMR | MAY 2024

LMR | MAY 2024 Page 3

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE 

Happy to be Here 

It seems strange addressing 

you all, as I’m so used to seeing 

you in my former capacity 

as mayor. But I’m not a 

mayor anymore, so I’d better 

get used to it! And I’m happy 

to say hello as your new Executive 

Director. 

Why’d I go for this role seems 

to be the question I’m getting 

asked most often, and 

if you read our April LMR, I 

address that. To put it simply, 

it just felt right. Gonzales 

has gone from strength 

to strength over the years, 

and although I can’t take 

full credit for that, I can take 

some. If I can take the lessons 

I’ve learned that have 

worked and apply them to 

all of us on a state-wide level, 

then we’re heading in the 

right direction. 

My first large-scale event in 

my new role will see us all 

gathering for our May 15 

Municipal Day. I can’t stress 

the importance of advocacy 

enough, and this event allows 

us to take it to a heightened 

level. This month’s cover 

story gives us all some 

useful tips on how best to 

advocate. Sure, the LMA 

has a team that 

advocates on 

our behalf, 

but we’re an 

organization 

of 305 member 

municipalities. 

If 

each of you 

takes it upon 

yourselves to advocate 

on your behalf, and 

on the behalf of other member 

municipalities, there’s 

no limit to what the LMA 

can accomplish as a whole. 

I encourage you to read the 

article, as there are things 

you can do now to ensure a 

successful May 15. 

As a veteran, it’s a privilege 

to be able to use my first 

letter to also remind you 

that we’ll commemorate 

Memorial Day on May 27. 

So many gave the ultimate 

sacrifice so that we could 

know freedoms many other 

countries have yet to realize. 

I hope you remember those 

lost in the line of duty and 

take a moment to honor the 

gift they’ve given to us 

all. General Douglas 

MacArthur 

said that “no 

man is entitled 

to the 

blessings 

of freedom 

unless he be 

vigilant in its 

preservation.” 

May we be equally as 

vigilant in honoring our fallen 

heroes and heroines. 

I can’t speak enough about 

how happy I am to be coming 

aboard as Executive Director. 

I thank everyone who 

encouraged me and believed 

in me. I am humbled 

by that faith in me, and I’ll 

do my darndest to make you 

proud. I’m excited by the opportunity 

of working with 

all LMA staff, leadership, and 

members across the state, 

as well as partners, affiliates, 

subsidiaries, and external 

agencies that are consistently 

fighting to help move 

Barney Arceneaux 

LMA Executive Director 

the LMA forward. I plan on 

having the same open-door 

policy I had while mayor of 

Gonzales, so please know 

you can reach out whenever 

you need me. I’m working 

for you now, and it’s an absolute 

honor. 

If I don’t see or talk with you 

before, let’s find some time 

at Municipal Day. We have 

a lot to accomplish, and together 

I’m confident we’re 

going to get it done. 

Let’s get this show on the 

road! 

I’m excited by the opportunity of working with 

all LMA staff, leadership, and members across the 

state, as well as partners, affiliates, subsidiaries, 

and external agencies that are consistently 

fighting to help move the LMA forward. 

Page 4 


PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 

Motivated 

Louisiana 

by Inspiration 

Rural Water Association 

We’re five months into 2024, 

and time sure is moving 

quickly. I wanted to take the 

&Bellemin time this month to pay forward 

some gratitude. You’ve es you face, you’re still showing 

up, showing support, 

all had a great amount LWR-R0018 of 

faith in me, and I wanted you 

to be certain that the faith 

and showing others what 

we stand for. I thank you for 

you’ve shown applies to that. 

Date: 

each of you as well. 

use in the following issues: 

Since August of last year, 

I’ve learned so much as your 

President. I’ve learned that 

it absolutely does take a village 

to reach our goals, and 

we’ve got an amazing village 

that’s 305 municipalities 

strong. 

ONSULTANTS 

I have three months left as 

your President, and we still 

have goals to reach. Because 

of you, your integrity, and 

the path we travel together, 

I’m certain that we’ll reach 

them. 

Official Publication of the 

Daily, I am inspired by the 

work you’re doing to spread 

the message and mission of 

the LMA. Whatever challeng- 

When I talk with you, I’m motivated 

and encouraged by 

the hard work and creative 

ways you manage your individual 

municipalities. What 

we do as elected officials is 

important work, and coming 

up with new ways to get 

things done comes with the 

territory. I see so many of 

you face change with grace, 

and I applaud you. 

You’re making great strides 

in how you conduct your 

municipal business, and 

with our 2023 Community 

Ad Order # 1636839 

Adv Code 179697 

S. Rep: Jason Zawada (C) 

Achievement Awards now 

being open for submissions, 

I think we may see our largest 

number of entries yet. 

I’m excited by what I’ll see 

when we meet at Municipal 

Authorized Signature: 

Day this month. So much 

progress is being made 

across this state due to your 

Artwork Contact: diligence, so seeing you 

advocate first-hand will be 

a welcome sight. The LMA 

advocates for and against 

legislation that is of great 

importance to you, and your 

input has been instrumental 

in getting that work done. 

Custom Water 

Treatment Programs 

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WA 

ATER 

I mentioned change earlier 

in my letter. Each of you 

has rolled with the punches 

this year as we faced a larger 

amount of change than usual. 

Your support has meant 

a tremendous amount. It 

has impressed me to no end 

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Derrick Johnson, Sr. 

LMA President 

Cheneyville 

to see the grace you’ve all 

shown. 

Speaking of support, I can’t 

forget the staff at the LMA. 

Change can make people 

feel unsettled, but the entirety 

of the LMA staff has 

stepped up to the plate in 

more ways than I knew were 

possible, and I thank them 

for their unwavering dedication. 

I’d like to especially 

thank our Deputy Director 

Richard Williams. He’s worn a 

lot of different hats since the 

beginning of this year, and 

he’s worn them well. With 

a new Executive Director in 

place, and with advocacy 

work at the Capitol being 

handled by a team of people, 

I’m confident that Richard 

can get back to what he 

does best as we continue to 

work towards a productive 

future. 

I’ll see you all on May 15 as 

we advocate and educate 

at the State Capitol. There’s 

nothing like the opportunity 

to gather together and to 

learn together. I’m looking 

forward to it. 

LMR | MAY 2024 8/21/14 8:33 PM 

Page 5 

707693_Thornton.indd 1

Fighting Insurance Fraud in Louisiana 

In recent columns, I outlined 

significant regulatory actions 

I have taken and legislative 

reforms I’m supporting that 

will address many of the 

major issues affecting Louisiana’s 

insurance market. 

Another problem we deal 

with in our state that requires 

immediate attention 

and effective solutions is 

insurance fraud. As Louisiana’s 

insurance regulator, 

the Louisiana Department 

of Insurance (LDI) has a duty 

to work diligently with local, 

state, and federal authorities 

on the prevention, investigation, 

and prosecution of 

insurance fraud. 

Let’s begin by looking at the 

impact fraud has on insurance 

consumers. According 

to the Coalition Against Insurance 

Fraud, fraud costs 

consumers in the United 

States a total of $308.6 billion 

per year. That’s about $1,000 

per person. That high cost 

defies the myth that committing 

fraud only harms big 

insurance companies. In fact, 

the opposite is true — the 

consumer ultimately bears 

the cost. 

Since taking office, I have 

worked with the experts in 

the LDI’s Office of Insurance 

Fraud to create a comprehensive 

plan to tackle insurance 

fraud. Beginning this 

year, my office will place an 

emphasis on expanding the 

scope of what constitutes insurance 

fraud, raising awareness 

of the problem, and mobilizing 

a joint task force with 

the Louisiana State Police 

and the Office of the Attorney 

General. 

I am supporting several pieces 

of legislation this session 

that will make the LDI more 

effective when it comes to 

fighting fraud. House Bill 399 

is designed to help 

the LDI quantify 

the problem by 

allowing us to 

monitor the 

effects of insurance 

fraud 

and better direct 

our resources 

to combat it. 

We are also taking steps to 

fine-tune our regulatory 

framework. House Bill 651 

amends the definition of 

“fraudulent insurance act” 

in unfair or deceptive trade 

practices law to mirror the 

definition found in insurance 

fraud law. It also clearly 

defines the LDI’s authority 

to investigate and take regulatory 

action against bad 

actors who intentionally submit 

fraudulent information 

during a claim. 

It’s vital for the LDI to work 

effectively with other state 

agencies to combat 

fraud. House 

Bill 790 would 

strengthen our 

joint task force 

with the State 

Police and the 

AG’s office by 

repealing the 

sunset for the Insurance 

Fraud Investigation 

Unit. The passage of 

this bill would allow the task 

force to continue investigating 

and prosecuting insurance 

fraud where we find it 

and show the insurance industry 

that Louisiana is taking 

serious steps to address 

the foundational problems 

in our market. 

Tim Temple 

Commissioner, Louisiana 

Department of Insurance 

State agencies can do a lot to 

fight fraud, but we can’t do it 

alone. I need your help to educate 

constituents about insurance 

fraud crime and the 

financial impacts related to 

it. Elected officials, community 

leaders, and advocates 

are essential to an effective 

plan of action. I value your insight 

and recommendations 

as we develop new strategies 

to combat insurance Fraud in 

Louisiana. 

Page 6 


Now Accepting Submissions for 2023 Community Achievement Awards 

Did your municipality undertake an award-worthy project in 

2023? If so, we would love to recognize your great work and 

award bragging rights as a winner of our annual LMA Community 

Achievement Awards competition. This year’s competition 

recognizes municipalities for outstanding projects promoting 

progress in municipal services and operations in 2023. 

For a full list of categories and rules, along with information on 

how to enter, visit www.lma.org, click on our Membership Services 

tab, and choose Community Achievement Awards from 

the dropdown menu. 


2024 LMA District Meetings Locations and Dates 

District D – Anacoco 

Wednesday, June 5 

Vernon Parish Fairgrounds 

Auditorium 

276 H M Stevens Boulevard 

Leesville, 71446 

District E – Pineville 

Thursday, June 6 

Main Street Community 

Center 

708 Main Street 

Pineville, 71360 

District I – Madisonville 

Tuesday, June 11 

The Anchor 

407 St Tammany 

St, Madisonville, 70447 

District G – Rayne 

Wednesday, June 12 

Civic Center Ballroom 

401 Gossen Memorial Drive 

Rayne, 70578 

District J – Patterson 

Monday, June 17 

Patterson Civic Center 

116 Cotton Road 

Patterson, 70392 

District H – Plaquemine 


Plaquemine Community 

Center 

23245 Short Street 

Plaquemine, 70764 

District F – Sunset 


Carencro Community Center 

5115 N. University Ave. 

Carencro, 70520 

District C – West Monroe 

Monday, June 24 

West Monroe Convention 

Center 

901 Ridge Ave 

West Monroe, 71291 

District A – Haughton 


First Baptist Church Family 

Life Center 

105 E. Washington Avenue 

Haughton, 71037 

District B – Ruston 


Ruston Sports Complex 

Indoor Facility 

2001 Champion Way 

Ruston, 71270 

Amendments to the LMA Constitution are Due July 1 

LMA members are encouraged to review the LMA Constitution 

to consider amending its provisions for the betterment 

of the Association. If an LMA member is interested 

in proposing an amendment, they must follow the proper 

procedures. 

Article 17 of the LMA Constitution states that it, “may be 

amended at any meeting of the Association by a vote of 

at least two-thirds of the municipal corporations 

present, provided such amendment has been 

submitted in writing to the Executive Director 

at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of the 

meeting.” 

Therefore, any amendment(s) to the LMA 

Constitution proposed by a municipality 

for consideration by the LMA membership, 

which will meet on Friday, August 2, in 

Shreveport – must be in writing and received by 

the LMA office no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, July 1, 

and sent to: 

Executive Director Barney Arceneaux 

Louisiana Municipal Association 

P.O. Box 4327 

Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4327 

Officials of all member corporations are entitled 

to attend the LMA Annual Business Meeting 

on Friday, August 2, at 4:00 p.m. The meeting 

will convene immediately following our 3:00 

p.m. workshops. 

A municipality’s elected officials do not have 

to register for LMA’s 87th Annual Convention 

to attend the Annual Business Meeting in 

Shreveport. 

Page 8 


Municipal Day 

Making the Most of 

Municipal Day 

Advocacy is the very foundation of 

change. If no one speaks up, 

nothing changes. So, in and of 

itself, change begins with a 

voice. In the United States, 

we are blessed to have voices 

allowed to be heard. We aren’t silenced 

as is often seen in other countries, even 

when what we have to say strays from the 

norm. One reason – one very important reason 

- our voices carry much weight is that the 

United States is a country steadfast in the protections 

surrounding advocacy. 

With 

305 member 

municipalities, 

the LMA has 

reason to boast 

strength in 

numbers. 

Advocacy is defined as “public support for, or recommendation 

of, a particular cause or policy.” 

During Louisiana’s Legislative Session, advocacy 

plays a key role in ensuring our Louisiana 

municipalities are heard. Issues arise and are 

debated. Before long, any number of those 

issues are entered as proposed pieces of 

legislation, each having the potential to 

create positive or negative effects on our 

villages, towns, and cities; each one having 

the potential to make or break communities. 

That’s where advocacy comes in. 


The LMA has people in place 

advocating for you. They research 

critical pieces of proposed 

legislation and step 

in when and where they 

should. These team members 

work diligently to make your 

voices heard, and they act on 

your behalf. They are forming 

relationships with legislators 

in your areas, all in an effort to 

draw attention to your concerns. 

If action needs to be 

taken, your legislators should 

know, so the LMA Advocacy 

Team is a crucial component 

in gaining that attention. 

But is that all advocacy is? Is 

it simply someone speaking 

on your behalf, or is it something 

you can do as well? The 

answer is the latter. 

The LMA is a collective, and 

it’s only as strong as its members. 

Ergo, it’s only as strong 

as you. You are the LMA, and 

the LMA is you. With 305 

member municipalities, the 

LMA has reason to boast 

strength in numbers. The 

Advocacy Team can get a lot 

done, but when we look at 

those numbers closely, we 

see that there’s the potential 

for 305 - or more - issues 

to be causes for concern. It’s 

an unrealistic expectation 

that one team can meet and 

then resolve every issue satisfactorily 

for every member. 

The strength of the LMA, 

especially during legislative 

sessions, lies in the number 

of voices represented. It lies 

with you. 

Municipal Day is an example 

of an opportunity created by 

the LMA for you to advocate 

not solely on your behalf, but 

also on the part of the LMA as 

a whole. Heading to the State 

Capitol as a collective during 

decision-making season affords 

us a louder voice and 

stronger presence. But what 

can you be doing before Municipal 

Day’s May 15 date to 

ready yourselves and your 

neighboring municipalities 

for that highly important day 

of action? 

Municipal Day 

Like you, our Louisiana 

legislators are elected by a 

majority of people in their 

corresponding districts. 

And just like them, you 

are key stakeholders in 

Louisiana’s future due 

to your advocacy efforts 

helping to move the 

direction of our state laws. 

Like you, our Louisiana legislators 

are elected by a majority 

of people in their corresponding 

districts. And just 

like them, you are key stakeholders 

in Louisiana’s future 

due to your advocacy efforts 

helping to move the direction 

of our state laws. Even 

with the title of elected officials, 

you’re still constituents, 

so those elected legislators 

work for you. And what elected 

official doesn’t want to get 

re-elected? And what’s the 

best way to do that? Keeping 

constituents happy. So, Municipal 

Day is ripe with opportunities 

to let them know 

just what it’ll take to make 

you – and keep you – happy. 

Starting today, send an email, 

make a phone call, and set an 

appointment. Meet with other 

LMA members who you 

notice will also be affected by 

the same piece of proposed 

legislation and create a strategy 

for working together. Do 

all you can to let your legislators 

know you’re coming, 

and don’t take no for an answer. 

Relationship building is 

imperative, so start building 

relationships now. Municipal 

Day is one day a year, and 

legislative sessions are only 

a few months at a time, but 

building relationships you 

can nurture and rely on 365 

days a year will amplify your 

voice and put you on your 

legislator’s radar. 

A significant way of building 

those relationships is to pay 

close attention to where your 

district’s representative(s) fall 

in terms of support or opposition 

on matters important 

to you. Will they have a sympathetic 

ear or not? If so, they 

could very well become your 

greatest allies, and you can 

use that shared interest to 

your advantage. If not, how 

can you best phrase what 

your concerns are to help 

them better understand the 

importance? 

Once you arrive at the State 

Capitol for Municipal Day, it’s 

time to go and find the legislators 

you’ve reached out 

to. Send a floor note to their 

desk requesting they come 

and speak to you. You deserve 

to be heard, so impress 

upon those legislators that 

the time is now. 

When you have their attention, 

know what you want to 

say. What is your ask, or what 

topic or topics do you need 

to educate them about? But 

remember to do this succinctly 

and quickly. There’s 

only so much time in a day, 

and you aren’t the only one 

Page 10 


Municipal Day 

There’s only so much time in 

a day, and you aren’t the only 

one wanting their attention. 

Get to the point without any 

delay, as you can be certain 

legislators are busy people 

when sessions are underway. 

wanting their attention. So, get to the 

point without any delay, as you can be 

certain legislators are busy people when 

sessions are underway. 

Make things personal. Sounds like an 

odd thing to say, I know, but legislators 

are bombarded with data day after 

day after day. Facts and figures hold a 

tremendous amount of weight, but so 

does finding a way to personalize an 

issue. Humanize things. Some of the 

greatest advocacy moments in history 

came from the tugging of heartstrings 

when appropriate, and those moments 

called for putting a face to an issue. 

And finally, don’t go away quietly. It’s far 

easier to think that someone else has 

spoken about 

something so 

why should 

you bother, 

but the more 

we talk about 

something, the 

more it stays 

on our minds. 

That’s true of 

our legislators 

as well. Repetition 

is not 

something to 

think of negatively, 

because 

the more people 

impacted 

by an issue, the greater chance that issue 

has to not only be heard but also swayed. 

So, if you speak up as often as you can, 

you’re bound to get your message across. 

But what happens after Municipal Day? 

If you’ve made the most of your time 

spent advocating, what next? 

This is when you pay close attention to 

how your efforts panned out. If something 

has gone your way, thank those 

legislators you spoke to. It’s a fabulous 

way to ensure those newfound relationships 

continue to be fostered. And if 

things didn’t go your way? Well, it’s okay 

to let your legislators know that too. 

Honesty in any relationship can build a 

lot of bridges. 

Municipal Day is ours for the making, 

but it’s yours for the taking, and there’s a 

tremendous amount to be gained from 

the experience. It’s time to advocate and 

educate (and did we mention crawfish?). 

We can’t wait to see you in action! 

by Charlotte 

Smith 

Editor 

Smith is a Senior Communications 

Consultant for AMCorp and is the Editor 

of the Louisiana Municipal Review. 

Contact: charlotte@teamamcorp.com 


Municipal Day 

Ready, Set, Go! 

As the Annual Municipal 

Day at 

the State Capitol 

quickly approaches, 

we want to 

brief each of you on traveling 

to the capitol, parking, security 

requirements, committee 

meeting guidelines, and legislative 

chamber rules to help 

make your day run smoothly. 

Here is some important information 

especially for those 

who are coming to the LMA 

Municipal Day for the first time. 

If you are not taking the transportation 

provided by LMA from the hotel, 

it can be challenging with heavy traffic. 

We suggest you plan your route ahead 

of time by using https://maps.app.goo.gl/WtULn- 

MEDikRQHoNf8. The address is 900 N 3rd St, Baton Rouge, LA 

70802. Please note that parking is very limited on days the 

Legislature is in session, so we suggest the following parking 

locations: 

River Road Street: A paved, open-air lot on the levee located 

in front of The Capitol Park Welcome Center, directly across 

River Road. Please exercise extreme care when crossing River 

Road on your way to the State Capitol. 

Welcome Center Parking Garage: Located at the corner of 

North Street and River Road. 

You may also park in areas where there are parking meters, 

or at any location around the capitol without 

a reserve sign or orange construction cone. 

Bus transportation provided by the LMA 

will make a drop-off where you can easily 

access the side doors (ground level) 

entrance. You may enter the capitol in 

three ways: (1) through the west side 

ground level doors, (2) through the 

east side ground level doors, or (3) 

through the main entrance via front 

doorsteps. At this point, you will be 

met by a capitol security checkpoint. 

Please limit items that you bring with 

you that might set off the metal detector 

or X-ray machine. You may be asked 

What 

You Need 

to Know For 

Municipal 

Day 

You may 

be asked to go 

through a detailed bag 

search which may delay 

your entry into the capitol. 

Always allow the proper 

advance time for the 

required security 

checkpoint. 

to go through a detailed bag 

search which may delay your 

entry into the capitol. Always 

allow the proper advance 

time for the required security 

checkpoint. As a reminder, no 

weapons of any kind are allowed 

inside the State Capitol 

building. If you require handicapped 

access, please notify 

the LMA staff ahead of time. 

When you are attending 

House committee meetings, 

rooms are on the right side of 

the building on the ground level 

(rooms 1-2 in the Bigby Hall), 

or down a set of steps near the exit 

door (basement level in Rooms 3-6 in 

Alario Hall). You may ride the elevator to 

the House’s basement level committee rooms. 

Senate committee rooms (A, B, C, E, and F) are located on the 

ground floor level on the left side of the building in Duval 

Hall. To access the committee room on the basement level, 

you will go down a set of steps at the end of Duval Hall near 

the exit doors. You may also ride the elevator downstairs. The 

Senate basement committee room is called the John Hainkel 

room (the largest of all meeting rooms in the Senate). 

When attending committee meetings, you may not approach 

the desk to speak to committee members/legislators. A Sergeant 

at Arms/member of staff is on post to assist you at each 

committee meeting. You are asked to place your cell phones 

and other electronic devices on vibrate mode or 

turn them off. You must make phone calls in 

the hallway, but not in the committee hearing. 

No food or drinks are allowed in the 

hallway or committee rooms. 

For your convenience, and for those 

wanting to take a break, you will 

have access to a cup of coffee or a 

meal. You may visit the capitol cafeteria 

located on the ground level/ 

It provides snacks, hot meals, and 

soft drinks. Restrooms and vending 

machines are available near the 

committee rooms in the hallway near 

the elevator on the ground level. Additional 

restrooms and water fountains are 

Page 12 


Municipal Day 

LOUISIANA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

SEATING CHART 

16 

25 

34 

43 

52 

61 

70 

79 

88 

97 

BAYHAM 

R. CARTER 

ADAMS 

BOYER 

VENTRELLA 

RISER 

McMAKIN 

KERNER 

ST. BLANC 

ILLG 

7 

15 

24 

33 

42 

51 

60 

69 

78 

87 

96 

104 

YOUNG 

WALTERS 

JACKSON 

FISHER 

LaCOMBE 

BROWN 

ORGERON 

M. LANDRY 

BRAUD 

DOMANGUE 

FONTENOT 

CARRIER 

6 

14 

23 

32 

41 

50 

59 

68 

77 

86 

95 

103 

BRASS 

BOYD 

MENA 

T. JOHNSON 

BAGLEY 

BAMBURG 

EGAN 

WYBLE 

STAGNI 

MUSCARELLO 

MACK 

DICKERSON 

5 

13 

22 

31 

40 

49 

58 

67 

76 

85 

94 

102 

LaFLEUR 

LYONS 

WILLARD 

HUGHES 

McMAHEN 

McCORMICK 

BERAULT 

CARVER 

COX 

VILLIO 

SCHLEGEL 

EDMONSTON 

4 

12 

21 

30 

39 

48 

57 

66 

75 

84 

93 

101 

PHELPS 

JORDAN 

MILLER 

MARCELLE 

MELERINE 

CREWS 

WRIGHT 

GALLE 

HILFERTY 

DAVIS 

WILDER 

COATES 

3 

11 

20 

29 

38 

47 

56 

65 

74 

83 

92 

100 

CARLSON 

LARVADAIN 

BRYANT 

SELDERS 

KNOX 

CHASSION 

AMEDEE 

BILLINGS 

GLORIOSO 

WILEY 

GADBERRY 

DeWITT 

2 

10 

19 

28 

37 

46 

55 

64 

73 

82 

91 

99 

J. LANDRY 

HEBERT 

BOURRIAQUE 

TURNER 

HENRY 

THOMAS 

M. JOHNSON 

C. OWEN 

FREIBERG 

FREEMAN 

BUTLER 

FIRMENT 

1 

9 

18 

27 

36 

45 

54 

63 

72 

81 

90 

98 

DESHOTEL 

BEAULLIEU 

ROMERO 

FARNUM 

CHENEVERT 

HORTON 

CARPENTER 

TAYLOR 

GREEN 

NEWELL 

ECHOLS 

SCHAMERHORN 

8 

17 

26 

35 

44 

53 

62 

71 

80 

89 

EMERSON 

TARVER 

GEYMANN 

ZERINGUE 

THOMPSON 

MOORE 

W. CARTER 

MYERS 

BACALA 

McFARLAND 

SPEAKER 

DeVILLIER 

also available in Alario 

Hall. 

Here is how to advocate 

for your position in 

a committee hearing. 

The committee hearing 

is your opportunity 

to let your voice be 

heard on a position of 

legislation. If you are 

attending with a group 

and you all have the 

same position, it is best 

to complete a witness 

card to indicate your 

position and whether 

you would like to testify. 

It is also suggested 

you appoint a spokesperson 

due to time limitations 

and have a prepared 

statement for the 

members. Make sure 

that your explanation is 

clear and precise with 

Revised December 18, 2023 

factual data. You do not 

have to speak in committee 

to record your 

support or opposition 

to a bill. However, you 

must complete a green 

card to indicate your 

support, a red card as 

opposition, and a white 

card if you only want to 

provide unbiased information 

to the committee 

members. As a reminder, 

you must have 

a separate card for each 

bill/number designating 

you are requesting 

to speak as a witness, 

and if you are supporting 

or opposing. Your 

oral and written comments 

and your position 

on the legislation 

stated on the witness 

cards are important and 

become a part of the 


Municipal Day 

permanent public 

record. You are required 

to complete 

the witness cards 

with your signature, 

which is a sworn oath 

that you will tell the 

truth to the committee. 

When advocating for a position 

or contacting your legislator 

on the House chamber 

floor, you must complete a white 

contact sheet with the seat number, 

name of the legislator, the bill number 

you want to discuss, time of the request, 

your name, and your signature. Give 

that completed white contact sheet 

to the Sergeant-at-Arms to hand deliver 

to the House legislator at his seat in 

the chamber. Once it is received, your 

legislator will come out to the foyer to 

address you. You are not allowed on the 

House floor in the chamber, and there is 

limited seating in the House for visitors 

on the ground level. Additional seating 

is offered on the balcony, but there is no 

elevator to access that level in the building. 

Rules are very strict in the chamber, 

no standing during session, no talking 

to members across the rails, no food or 

drinks, and no cell phone use. 

Next, you must wait in the foyer area for 

the members to find you. If you have 

never met the legislator, you may have 

to approach him and then introduce 

yourself to get acquainted. 

When advocating for a position or contacting 

your legislator on the Senate 

chamber floor, you must complete a 

Rules are very strict in the 

chamber, no standing during 

session, no talking to members 

across the rails, no food 

or drinks, and no cell 

phone use. 

blue or a yellow contact sheet, based on 

seating arrangements on the (north or 

south) side of the chamber. Be sure to 

complete the name of the legislator, the 

bill number or what you want to discuss, 

the time of the request, your name, and 

your signature. 

Inside the Senate Chamber, a Sergeantat-Arms 

will hand deliver your Senate 

chamber floor note to the senator. 

Again, rules are very strict, as all rules 

listed for the House carry over to the 

Senate. Stand close to the Senate rail 

area and stay visible for the senator to 

find you. 

Legislators are allowed the privilege of 

making special announcements or introductions 

on the floor. The LMA Executive 

Board and members will be introduced 

in the House chamber from the balcony 

at a time to be confirmed on Municipal 

Day. There will also be a separate introduction 

in the Senate acknowledging 

the LMA’s Resolution and declaring May 

15 as LMA Municipal 

Day at the State Capitol. 

We encourage all 

elected officials/mayors 

to participate in the 

introductions. 

If you have any questions 

about the information, we 

have provided for you or 

about the legislative process, 

please feel free to contact the 

Legislative Committee Chair, LMA 

President Mayor Derrick Johnson Sr. 

(Cheneyville). We look forward to greeting 

all our municipalities at the legislative 

conference on May 15. Be sure to 

bring your lapel pins to highlight your 

city and share them with your legislators, 

member mayors, and other elected 

officials. 

If you love crawfish, Nikki Samrow and 

the LMA staff will have enough for you 

to enjoy…with all the fixings. Please 

plan to attend the Annual Crawfish Boil 

at Drusilla Seafood Restaurant to continue 

a dialogue with your legislators and 

colleagues. 

by Paulette 

Bailey-Wilson 

LMA Lead Lobbyist 

Paulette Bailey-Wilson is the LMA’s Lead 

Lobbyist. She can be reached by emailing 

pbaileywilson@lma.org. 

Page 14 


Municipal Day 


LOUISIANA MUNICIPAL ADVISORY AND TECHNICAL SERVICES 

Gonzales Takes Big Step Forward in Pedestrian Safety 

The recent completion of 

nearly 600 repairs to uneven 

concrete sidewalks by the 

City of Gonzales marks the 

first time the city has comprehensively 

addressed this 

common challenge to pedestrian 

safety. With the project’s 

anticipated repair of another 

150 trip hazards before summer, 

Gonzales promises to be 

a healthier, happier locale for 

residents and visitors alike. 

According to National Highway 

Traffic Safety Administration 

(NHTSA) and National 

Health Interview Survey 

(NHIS) data, trip hazards created 

in part by buckled and 

crumbling concrete panels 

on public rights of way, contribute 

to as many as half a 

million recorded injuries annually 

in the U.S., a number 

several times the incidence of 

Page 16 

Courtesy LaMATS Drone Imaging Service. 

pedestrian injury due to automotive 

collisions. The collective 

cost of medical care 

and property insurance easily 

constitutes a multi-million 

dollar burden borne largely 

by vulnerable elderly citizens 

and their local communities. 

Having learned about the 

nature of trip hazards and 

possible solutions at LMA’s 

annual convention from La- 

MATS partner, Precision Concrete 

Cutting of Louisiana, 

Gonzales Mayor (and incoming 

LMA Executive Director) 

Barney Arceneaux felt it was 

high time to take action. 

“Some solutions are so obvious 

they make the decision 

easy,” said Mayor Arceneaux. 

“If we can reduce the risk of 

trips and falls city-wide in a 


single project, we ought to do it!” 

After speaking with City Engineer, Jackie 

Baumann, who had also recently seen 

a promotion about the company’s patented 

repair process, the mayor greenlit 

a pilot project to assess the state of 

concrete paths around popular Tee-Joe 

Park, a favorite recreation spot for Gonzales 

residents. 

“We gave [Precision Concrete Cutting] a 

small scope of work - one park and an 

adjacent sidewalk from that park to a 

middle school,” recalled Baumann. “They 

told us it would only take a day to do the 

survey! They turned [the whole project] 

around within like a week. That’s how 

quickly they did it.” 

Encouraged by the positive early results, 

including under-budget repairs to numerous 

panels and recommendations 

for the replacement of others, the City 

contracted with Precision for a comprehensive 

survey and treatment of city 

properties. 

Baumann looked first to her list of resident 

work order requests and complaints. 

“That’s the easiest place to start,” 

she said. “[Then] you look to your most 

heavily-traversed pedestrian paths. We 

have a school and a park in the same 

area, so a higher volume of pedestrians 

there.” Moving out to surrounding 

streets, public parks, and residential developments, 

soon Precision had identified 

and addressed hundreds of individual 

hazards, helping to bring the city’s 

public rights of way into compliance 

with ADA rules and reducing overall risk. 

While not precisely estimable, “there’s 

definitely a reduced liability with regard 

to customer and resident injuries,” said 

Baumann. “But there’s another indirect 

benefit for me as the engineer, planning 

future projects: that’s Precision’s final report, 

[which] identifies where we need 

replacement of full panels. So, I now 

Courtesy LaMATS Drone Imaging Service. 

Before and after images from one of nearly 600 concrete panels repaired to ADA safety 

standards by Precision Concrete Cutting of Louisiana for the City of Gonzales. 


have (hand-delivered to me!) the scope 

of work I need to advertise with a concrete 

contractor.” 

One project benefit that is easier to 

quantify is the cost savings. Thanks to 

a 5% discount offered through LaMATS 

to all Louisiana local governments and 

school systems, Precision Concrete 

Cutting of Louisiana was able to save 

Gonzales almost $5,000 so far, which 

covered the cost of the pilot project. 

And by repairing instead of replacing 

the damaged panels, the City has saved 

more than 70% of the total cost of new 

concrete. 

Are they pleased? “We couldn’t be happier,” 

said Baumann. Not only has the 

project netted a reduction in resident 

work orders and complaints, but every 

aspect of the project also got high marks 

from city staff. Baumann and Mayor 

Arceneaux jointly praised Precision for 

“their partnership, their workmanship, 

organization, and documentation. Every 

piece of the project, from the office to 

the field, has been very efficient.” 

Asked how she would recommend other 

communities address a similar trip 

hazard reduction project, Baumann suggests 

they start small. “Start with a small 

pilot project area, just a couple thousand 

dollars worth, and see the value in 

that. The community will probably realize 

then that they can take the initiative 

to a much bigger project scope.” 

For more information about fast, affordable 

assessment and repair of concrete 

walkways in your community, contact 

Cliff Palmer, Executive Director of La- 

MATS, at (225) 316-7157 or via email at 

cpalmer@lamats.net. 

by Cliff 

Palmer 

LaMATS Executive 

Director 

Palmer leads the Louisiana Municipal 

Advisory and Technical Services Bureau 

(LaMATS) - a subsidiary of LMA. He can 

be reached at cpalmer@lamats.net. 

Technical Assistance Announcement 

Page 18 


LITACorp Progress Report for the 

Louisiana Congressional Delegation 

Established by ACT No. 497 in the 2022 

Regular Session, the Louisiana State 

Legislature authorized the Political 

Subdivision Federal Grant Assistance 

Fund (RS 39:100.201) “to assist political 

subdivisions with competitive federal 

grant opportunities made pursuant to 

the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs 

Act (P.L. 117-58)”. As a result, the Louisiana 

Infrastructure Technical Assistance 

Corporation (LITACorp), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit 

organization, was established in 

October 2022 as a collaborative partnership 

between the Louisiana Municipal 

Association (LMA) and the Police Jury 

Association of Louisiana (PJAL) to advance 

three key goals: 

1. Equip political subdivisions located 

in rural and economically distressed 

areas with the tools and resources 

they need to identify, apply for, and 

administer federal grants funded 

through the Infrastructure Investment 

and Jobs Act (IIJA). 

2. Minimize barriers for political subdivisions 

to access federal resources 

by assisting them with meeting 

local cost share requirements of 

federal grant programs funded 

through IIJA. 

3. Acquire federal grant funds through 

IIJA to construct, improve, or repair 

public infrastructure – water and 

sewer systems, roads, bridges, railways, 

ports, broadband, etc. – in 

rural and economically distressed 

communities throughout Louisiana. 

Programs: 

Technical Assistance Program (TAP) 

TAP provides no-cost services to local 

governments needing assistance applying 

for funding through the IIJA, including 

but not limited to: 

• Needs Assessment 

• Readiness Check 

• Funding Strategy Development 

• Project Design 

• Budget Development 

• Grant Writing 

• Sam.gov/Grants.gov Setup 

• Planning and Design 

• Preliminary Engineering 

• Benefit-Cost Analysis 

• Cost Estimation 

• Application Submission 

• Award Administration 

• Grant Management 

Local governments interested in 

LITACorp’s Technical Assistance Program 

must submit a Letter of Interest (LOI) at 

LITACorp.org. 

Matching Funds Grant Program 

(MFGP) 

MFGP assists Louisiana local governments 

with meeting local cost share 

requirements established by grant programs 

funded through the Infrastructure 

Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). LITACorp 

has available $20 million to assist Louisiana 

communities with meeting these 

match requirements established by 

most, if not all, federal grant programs 

through the IIJA. In general, LITACorp 

grant awards range from $50,000 to $1 

million, depending on the project scope 

and regional impact. 

As of March 20, 2024, LITACorp has written 

and/or revised and assisted with application 

submission of 7 grant or loan 

applications for a total federal funding 

request of $35,770,884 as detailed below. 

As a result of outreach activities, LITACorp is currently engaged with 42 localities and actively writing 35 grant applications 

(estimated total funding request to be at least $80 million) focused on a variety of needs including drinking water, wastewater, 

and transportation improvements. 


After receiving a letter of interest from a locality, LITACorp 

leads a discovery session with that locality to gain a better understanding 

of the locality’s infrastructure needs and develop 

a customized grant strategy. LITACorp then provides a tailored 

Grant Guide for that locality to present relevant funding opportunities. 

These guides serve to help local leaders understand 

the options and make informed decisions. This also includes 

determining if engineering or other technical services 

are needed. Below are all the steps involved in the grant writing 

process including the typical timeline for each step. 

Page 20 


Below the “Current Match Needs” values 

reflect LITACorp’s current grant and 

loan applications that have been submitted 

or are currently being worked 

on. Some project 

values are initial estimates. 

LITACorp is 

actively working with 

localities every day 

and will provide periodic 

updates. Some 

grants and revolving 

loan applications do 

not require a match. 

Because of this funding, 

the totals listed 

here are less than the total funding 

amount LITACorp is currently pursuing. 

For more information on this report, 

or to discuss how LITACorp may assist 

your municipality, please reach out to 

Leslie Durham (leslie@litacorp.org) or 

Alex Holland (alex@litacorp.org). 

by Leslie 

Durham 

LITACorp 

Executive Director 

Leslie Durham is the Executive Director of 

LITACorp. She can be reached by emailing 

leslie@litacorp.org. 


12 Best 

Things 

to Do in 

Baton 

Rouge 

While in the Capitol City for 

Municipal Day, we thought 

you’d enjoy this list (courtesy of 

explorelouisiana.com) detailing 

the many things to do in order 

to make the most of your stay. 

Louisiana’s capital city, Baton Rouge, has a little bit of something 

for every interest. History buff? Check out one of the many museums 

and historic sites! Foodie? Eat your way through culinary 

hotspots like Downtown, Mid-City, and more. Lover of the outdoors? 

We’ve got you covered! Read on to find the best things 

to do in Baton Rouge. 

Louisiana State Capitol and Old State Capitol 

Two state capitols, countless stories: That’s what you’ll find 

when visiting the Louisiana State Capitol and Old State Capitol 

in downtown Baton Rouge. The Old State Capitol’s museum 

houses artworks and historical exhibits that tell the story of Baton 

Rouge and Louisiana. The so-called “Castle on the River” is a 

dramatic example of Gothic and Victorian architecture, and was 

the state’s seat of government until the 1930s. Don’t miss the 

grandiose stained-glass dome inside — it’s one of the most Instagram-worthy 

sights in all of Baton Rouge. Admission is free. 

The Louisiana State Capitol — the tallest state capitol building 

in the nation, at 450 feet — is likewise a monument to Louisiana’s 

history, political and otherwise. Be sure to visit the 27thfloor 

Observation Deck overlooking Baton Rouge. 

Capitol Park Museum 

Right around the corner from the Louisiana State Capitol is the 

Capitol Park Museum. From Louis Armstrong to Huey P. Long, 

from Mardi Gras to fais-do-do, and from the nation-building 

Page 22 


commerce of the Mississippi 

River to the life-sustaining 

bounty of the Gulf of Mexico, 

the Capitol Park Museum provides 

a glimpse of Louisiana’s 

unique history. 

LSU Rural Life Museum 

Louisiana State University’s 

reputation looms large over 

Baton Rouge — and we’re not 

just talking football, either. 

Take the LSU Rural Life Muse- 


um. This outdoor museum takes 

visitors on a time-traveling journey 

through the state’s history, 

with hundreds of artifacts, plantation 

quarters and a variety of 

architectural styles unique to the 

region. 

Mid-City and Southdowns Restaurants 

Baton Rouge’s Mid-City neighborhood 

is a prime destination 

for food lovers, with numerous 

restaurants that put the city on 

the culinary map. Standouts include 

Curbside, a burger joint that 

adds a gourmet twist on the classic 

burger and chicken sandwich; 

The Overpass Merchant, which 

has an awesome brunch menu; Elsie’s 

Plate & Pie, which specializes 

in both sweet and savory pies and 

other southern fare. Check out the 

Capital Cravings Culinary Trail for 

all the delicious eats in the Capital 

City. 

Magnolia Mound Plantation House 

Magnolia Mound ranks among 

Louisiana’s oldest intact plantation 

homes, dating all the way back to 

1791. What began as a small-scale 

settler’s home blossomed into a 

900-acre farming operation that 

Page 24 


lasted until Louisiana became a state in 

1812. See locally made, Colonial-era furniture, 

decorative arts that came by ship 

through the Port of New Orleans, local 

textiles, and some of the most authentic 

French Creole architecture in the region. 

Baton Rouge Zoo 

Baton Rouge Zoo ranks among the top 

family attractions in the city. This is a 

place where kids’ imaginations can run 

as wild as the animals, and explore exotic 

environments-in-miniature while learning 

about the importance of ecological 

conservation. 

Louisiana Art & Science Museum 

Housed in a 1925 historic railway station, 

the Louisiana Art & Science Museum is 

an inspiring collection of creative works, 

interactive exhibits, and fascinating artifacts. 

Permanent exhibitions include the 

Ancient Egypt Gallery and planetarium, 

while the arts side of the museum incorporates 

science-inspired works. 

BREC Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center 

BREC Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center 

is a wetlands wonderland right in the 

middle of Louisiana’s second-largest city. 

The 103-acre facility offers visitors a quick 

getaway from urban Baton Rouge and offers 

a taste of the south Louisiana wilds, 

with more than a mile of boardwalks and 

gravel paths that take visitors through a 

cypress-tupelo swamp and beech-magnolia 

and hardwood forests. Don’t be 

surprised if you see some of the local residents 

as well, which includes such critters 

as armadillos, deer, and otter. 

USS KIDD Veterans Museum 

The USS Kidd is a relic of the nation’s 

World War II past, and today stands as a 

monument to those who fought in the 

Pacific theater. The destroyer, restored 

to its 1945 configuration and docked in 

the Mississippi River in downtown Baton 

Rouge, was nicknamed the “Pirate of the 

Pacific.” Walk in the footsteps of servicemen 

and women aboard the decks of this 

fascinating ship, and learn the stories of 

soldiers living through one of the most 

pivotal moments in American history. 

LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens 

Walk among the greenery that comprises 

LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens, a Louisiana 

State University facility that welcomes 

visitors and researchers alike. The 

living laboratory, where scientists study 

everything from wetlands crops to ornamental 

landscaping plants, includes numerous 

gardens for visitors to enjoy. The 

Steele Burden Memorial Orangerie includes 

citrus trees which, when in bloom, 

give off some of the sweetest smells you’ll 

find in any garden. Also worth exploring 

are the Children’s Garden, Tropical Garden, 

and other gardens devoted to roses, 

camellias, and swamp plants. 

Brewery and Distillery Tours 

Louisiana’s home-grown liquor and beer 

industries have flourished in recent years, 

and in Baton Rouge, you can get a firsthand 

look at how it’s all made. Three Roll 

Estate offers behind-the-scenes tastings 

and tours, where visitors can learn about 

how Louisiana sugarcane juice is turned 

into phenomenal rums, vodka, and whiskey. 

Tin Roof Brewing Co., just about a 

mile from downtown Baton Rouge, hosts 

regular events and offers brewery tours 

by appointment. Baton Rouge Distilling 

has both private and group tours at its 

facility. 

Santa Maria Golf Course 

A member of the prestigious Audubon 

Golf Trail, Santa Maria Golf Course is built 

on 150 acres of rolling terrain, featuring 

18 lakes and two natural waterways. 

Practice your golf skills with 18 holes 

complete with sand bunkers, exquisite 

Bermuda fairways, and mature oaks. The 

Spanish-style clubhouse includes a pro 

shop and a full-service restaurant perfect 

for a drink and a bite after a round. Santa 

Maria Golf Course has been recognized 

as one of the best public golf courses 

in southeast Louisiana, having received 

Golf Digest’s highest ranking for a municipal 

course. 

Bonus 

Animal lovers won’t want to miss a visit to 

the LSU campus to see Mike the Tiger, the 

live mascot for the state’s flagship university. 

And if you’ve always wanted to pet 

a sloth or swim with an otter, you’re in 

luck. Just a half hour from Baton Rouge in 

Ethel, you’ll find Barn Hill Preserve, where 

you can check up-close encounters off 

your bucket list. Love history? Consider 

Port Hudson State Historic Site, just 20 

minutes north of the city. 

For the latest tips on things to do and 

places to eat in the “Red Stick”, check out 

the Visit Baton Rouge website. 


GOVERNMENT CONSULTANTS INC. 

Saving Jobs in Your Community 

Economic development is a vital tool in communities throughout 

Louisiana. It is the foundation for more job opportunities 

and the availability of essential needs and desirable wants for 

our communities. Rural cities and towns are the backbone of 

this great state. Local businesses that operate in these communities 

provide much-needed jobs and stability for residents. 

However, certain factors may arise to deter these businesses 

from remaining in these communities. One factor to consider 

is the availability of funds and the unwillingness of banks to 

finance business needs for these local businesses. 

There is a potential solution: USDA Business & Industry (B&I) 

Guaranteed Loan Program. This program helps businesses in 

rural areas by guaranteeing loans from commercial banks. This 

guarantee encourages lenders to offer lower interest rates and 

longer terms. The B&I Program is an incentive to spur business 

lending in rural areas. 

The Program is designed to assist credit-worthy businesses 

obtain needed credit for most legal business purposes. Some 

examples are below: 

Oil & Gas 

Healthcare / Medical 

Hotels 

Poultry Farms 

Assisted Living Facilities 

If you know of any 

local companies that 

might need our help 

with this financing 

option, please have 

them contact us. We 

can further assist 

them with the USDA 

B&I Guaranteed 

Loan Program. 

Manufacturing 

Barges / Bins 

Marinas 

Warehouse 

Paper Mill 

By Nnamdi 

Thompson 

Municipal Advisor 

at Government 

Consultants, Inc. 

Government Consulting Inc, can be reached 

by emailing nthompson@gc-la.net. 

GOVERNMENT CONSULTANTS, INC. 

Specializing in Bond Issues and Financing 

L. Gordon King 

Deatriz Riggins 

Nnamdi Thompson 

Shaun B. Toups 

James R. Ryan 

Jamie Holloway 

Benjamin Bankston 

(Consulting & Municipal Advisory Firm) 

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 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 

independent 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. 

6767 Perkins Rd., Suite #250 

Baton Rouge, LA 70808 

(225) 344-2098 (Phone) 

gcla@gc-la.net (Email) 

We Have The Experience! 

Page 26 


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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE – RURAL DEVELOPMENT 

Community Facilities Programs Assist with Municipal Projects 

The United States Department 

of Agriculture Rural 

Development focuses on 

community development by 

providing a variety of lending 

options that support the 

growth and sustainability of 

communities. Essential community 

infrastructure is key 

in ensuring that rural areas 

enjoy the same basic quality 

of life, as well as services enjoyed 

by those in urban areas. 

Community Facilities Programs 

offer direct loans, loan 

guarantees, and grants to 

develop or improve essential 

public services and facilities 

in communities across rural 

America. These amenities 

help increase the competitiveness 

of rural communities 

in attracting and retaining 

businesses that provide employment 

and services for 

their residents. 

Public bodies, non-profit organizations, 

and federally 

recognized American Indian 

Tribes can use the funds to 

construct, expand, or improve 

facilities that provide health 

care, education, public safety, 

and public services. Projects 

include fire and rescue stations, 

village and town halls, 

health care clinics, hospitals, 

adult and childcare centers, 

assisted living facilities, rehabilitation 

centers, public 

buildings, schools, libraries, 

and many other community-based 

initiatives. Financing 

may also cover the costs for 

land acquisition, professional 

fees, and purchase of equipment. 

Below, you will find a 

comprehensive list of available 

grants along with a brief 

explanation of each grant. 

Community Facilities Direct 

Grant: Funds can be used to 

purchase, construct, and/or 

improve essential community 

facilities, purchase equipment, 

and pay related project 

expenses. Grant funds must 

be available. Applicants must 

be eligible for grant assistance, 

which is provided on a 

graduated scale with smaller 

communities with the lowest 

median household income 

being eligible for projects 

with a higher proportion of 

grant funds. 

Community Facilities Technical 

Assistance & Training 

Grant: USDA Rural Development 

provides TAT grants to 

eligible public bodies and private, 

nonprofit organizations) 

to provide technical assistance 

and/or training in support 

of essential community 

facilities programs. The maximum 

grant award is $150,000. 

Funds may be used to assist 

communities in identifying 

and planning for community 

facility needs, prepare reports 

and surveys necessary to request 

financial assistance to 

develop community facilities, 

prepare applications for financial 

assistance from Rural 

Development, and Improve 

administrative and financial 

operations management. 

Rural Community Development 

Initiative Grants: Facilitates 

housing, community 

facilities, and community and 

economic development projects. 

Grant funds can cover 

training sub-grantees to conduct 

homeownership or minority 

business entrepreneur 

education, providing technical 

assistance to sub-grantees 

on strategic plan development, 

researching and identifying 

alternative funding 

sources, preparing boards 

of directors, and creating 

training tools such as videos, 

workbooks, or reference 

guides. Grants range from 

$50,000 - $250,000, and there 

is a matching fund requirement 

equal to the amount of 

the grant award. 

Tribal College Initiative 

Grants: Funds capital improvements 

to educational 

facilities and for cultural 

projects at 1994 Land Grant 

Institutions (Tribal Colleges). 

Funds can be used for infrastructure 

development or 

upgrades, along with equipment 

purchases for schools, 

libraries, and dormitories. 

Grants of up to $250,000. 

A minimum of five percent 

match is required. 

Through Rural Utilities Service 

Water and Environmental 

Programs (WEP), rural 

communities obtain the technical 

assistance and financing 

necessary to develop drinking 

water and waste disposal 

systems. Safe drinking water 

and sanitary waste disposal 

systems are vital not only 

to public health but also to 

the economic vitality of rural 

America. WEP provides funding 

for the construction of water 

and waste facilities in rural 

communities and is proud to 

be the only Federal program 

exclusively focused on rural 

water and waste infrastructure 

needs of rural communities 

with populations of 

10,000 or less. Rural Development 

is a leader in helping 

rural America improve the 

quality of life and increase the 

economic opportunities for 

rural people. WEP is administered 

through the National 

Office staff in Washington, 

DC, and a network of field 

staff in each State. Below, you 

will find a comprehensive list 

of available grants along with 

a brief explanation of each 

grant. 

Water and Waste Disposal 

Predevelopment Planning 

Grant: This program helps 

eligible low-income communities 

plan and develop applications 

for proposed USDA 

Rural Development water or 

waste disposal projects. The 

maximum grant award is 

Page 28 


$60,000 or 75% of predevelopment 

planning costs. 

Special Evaluation Assistance 

for Rural Communities 

and Households Grants 

(SEARCH Grant): This program 

helps small, financially 

distressed rural communities 

pay for eligible predevelopment 

planning costs and 

activities, including feasibility 

studies to support applications 

for funding water 

or waste disposal projects, 

preliminary design and engineering 

analysis, and technical 

assistance to develop 

applications for financial assistance. 

Solid Waste Management 

Grants: Reduces or eliminates 

water pollution by 

providing funding for technical 

assistance or training 

to improve the planning and 

Public bodies, non-profit organizations, and 

federally recognized American Indian Tribes can 

use the funds to construct, expand, or improve 

facilities that provide health care, education, 

public safety, and public services. 

management of solid waste 

sites. Funds can be used to 

provide technical assistance 

and training and to evaluate 

and improve current landfill 

conditions to protect against 

threats to nearby water resources. 


Technical Assistance & 

Training Grants: This program 

helps qualified, private 

nonprofits provide technical 

assistance and training to 

identify and evaluate solutions 

to water problems related 

to source, storage, treatment, 

distribution, collection, 

treatment, and disposal; 

helps applicants prepare applications 

for water and waste 

disposal loans/grants; and 

helps associations improve 

the operation and maintenance 

of water and waste facilities 

in eligible rural areas. 


Grants: This program provides 

funding for clean and 

reliable drinking water systems, 

sanitary sewage disposal, 

sanitary solid waste 

disposal, and stormwater 

drainage to households and 

businesses in eligible rural 

areas. Funds may be used to 

finance the acquisition, construction, 

or improvement 

of drinking water sourcing, 

treatment, storage, and distribution; 

sewer collection, 

transmission, treatment, and 

disposal; solid waste collection, 

disposal, and closure; 

and stormwater collection, 

transmission, and disposal. In 

some cases, funding may also 

be available for related activities 

such as legal and engineering 

fees, land acquisition, 

water and land rights, permits, 

and equipment, start-up 

operations and maintenance, 

interest incurred during construction, 

purchase of facilities 

to improve service or 

prevent loss of service, and 

other costs determined to be 

necessary for completion of 

the project. 

Emergency Community 

Water Assistance Grant: 

This program helps eligible 

communities prepare for, or 

recover from, an emergency 

that threatens the availability 

of safe, reliable drinking 

water. The following events 

qualify as an emergency: 

Drought or flood, Earthquake, 

Tornado or hurricane, Disease 

outbreak, Chemical spill, 

leak, or seepage, or other disasters. 

Water transmission 

line grants up to $150,000 to 

construct waterline extensions, 

repair breaks or leaks 

in existing water distribution 

lines, and address related 

maintenance necessary to replenish 

the water supply are 

available. Water source grants 

of up to $1,000,000 to construct 

a water source, intake 

or treatment facility are also 

available. 

Please reach out to your nearest 

USDA Rural Development 

office for additional details 

on our Water and Waste 

Grants and Community Facilities 

Grants or visit https:// 

www.rd.usda.gov/ for more 

information. 

By Michele 

Graham and 

Ashley Sullivan 

USDA 

Michele Graham and Ashley 

Sullivan are Community 

Programs Loan Specialists 

with the USDA Louisiana 

Office of Rural Development. 

If you need further 

information, contact State 

Director Deidre Deculus 

Robert, Esq. by emailing 

Deidre.Robert@usda.gov. 


Hometown Happenings: June 2024 

Get ready to turn up the heat this June, because Louisiana is your hotspot for summertime fun! 

Wrap up your spring cleaning and dig out those flip-flops for the month’s unforgettable lineup 

of events. From cook-offs to literary discussions to wine tastings, festivals across the state are 

gearing up to bring you a summer you’ll never forget. Whether you’re a local or just local at 

heart, there’s no better place to start the season than the Bayou State! 

Beats on the Bayou 

May 11 – October 26, New Iberia 

https://www.isleofiberia.com/ 

Annual Sportsmen’s Heritage Festival 

May 30 – June 1, Krotz Spring 

http://www.kssportsmensheritagefestival.com/ 

Walker Percy Weekend 

May 31 – June 1, St. Francisville 

https://www.walkerpercyweekend.org/ 

Book lovers won’t want 

to miss this weekend of 

good food, good conversation, 

and good 

literature. Walker Percy 

Weekend attracts thinkers 

to discuss Louisiana’s 

incomparable literary 

history, focusing on its 

namesake, whose Louisiana-based 

novels 

gained him widespread 

acclaim. Learn from celebrated 

literary scholars 

at cutting-edge presentations 

and panel discussions, 

and flex your 

own knowledge at one 

of the weekend’s participatory 

book clubs. Offering live music, food, and a stroll 

through St. Francisville’s historic Royal Street neighborhood, 

Walker Percy Weekend is the perfect opportunity to connect 

with readers from around the country. Proceeds will support 

the Julius Freyhan Foundation’s restoration efforts. 

Washington Parish Balloon Festival 

May 31 – June 2, Franklinton 

https://wpballoonfest.com/ 

A Taste of Covington Food, Wine, Music & Art Festival 

June 1 – June 30, Covington 

https://atasteofcovington.com/ 

Cajun Heritage Festival 

June 2 – June 9, Larose 

https://www.lacajunbayou.com/calendar-of-events/festivalsand-events/cajun-heritage-festival 

Page 30 


Hunting enthusiasts looking for fun need look no further. For 

three days this June, duck hunters and decoy fans will convene 

at the Larose Civic Center for the Cajun Heritage Festival, 

featuring the organization’s 47th Annual Woodcarving 

Championship Competition. From live whittling competitions 

to duck calling contests and a decoy show, competitors of all 

ages will dazzle spectators with their unique skills. Collectors 

will be especially impressed by the decoys and artwork available 

for auction. Celebrate Louisiana’s one-of-a-kind culture 

by eating Cajun food, supporting local vendors, and learning 

about the sport of duck hunting. 

The Day the War Stopped Festival 

June 7 – June 9, St. Francisville 

https://felicianalodge31.com/day-the-war-stopped 

Black Heritage Festival 

June 22, Many 

https://toledobendlakecountry.com/black-heritagejuneteenth-celebration 

Thibodaux on Tap 

June 8, Thibodaux 

https://www.downtownthibodaux.org/thibodaux-on-tap/ 

This one-day event features delicious samples of locally-made 

craft brews that will make you rethink how you drink. Chat 

with other festivalgoers over food from local Cajun vendors as 

you enjoy the live music lineup. Whether you’re drinking with 

friends or trying to meet fellow beer-lovers, Thibodaux on Tap 

makes the perfect Saturday night out. Tickets are available 

now, so make sure to mark this in your calendar. 

St. Landry BBQ Festival 

June 9 – June 11, Opelousas 

https://www.stlandrybbqfestival.com/ 

St. Landry Parish is kicking off the summer on a hot note with 

its simmering annual BBQ Festival, running for three days at 

the Yambilee Grounds in Opelousas. Featuring carnival rides, 

live music, and a petting zoo, the festival promises fun for the 

whole family. Its main event, the BBQ cook-off competition, 

attracts competitors from throughout the state, and visitors 

will enjoy sampling from the array of prospective “BBQ Champion” 

title winners. 

Beauregard Watermelon Festival 

June 27 – June 29, DeRidder 

https://beauregardwatermelonfestival.com/ 

Join with many revelers across the state for three days of watermelon 

fun! How much fun is that you may ask? Well … 

there’s a watermelon seed spitting contest, a watermelon eating 

contest, watermelon games, and enough watermelon to 

give your tummies a treat! Also on hand will be live music, carnival 

rides, and a multitude of crafting vendors. And don’t forget 

the canning contest, cornhole tournament, and antique 

tractor show. Summertime fun for sure! 


PRESORT 

STANDARD 

U.S. POSTAGE 

PAID 

BATON ROUGE, LA 

PERMIT #319 

Page 32

05 May 2024 Final

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