LMR February 2021

RMI'ss

RMI'ss

VOLL. 86, ISSSSUUEE 2

2 ISSSSUUEE 86, VOLL.

LOUISIANA

MUNICIPAL REVIEW

FEEBRRUUAARRY 2ë2ì

Puuubblliiiiiiisssshheed bby tthhee Looouuuiiiiiiissssiiiiiiiaaaannnaaaa Muuunnniiiiiiicciiiiiiipaaaall Assssssssooocciiiiiiiaaaattiiiiiiiooonnn

Puuubblliiiiiiisssshheed bby tthhee Looouuuiiiiiiissssiiiiiiiaaaannnaaaa Muuunnniiiiiiicciiiiiiipaaaall Assssssssooocciiiiiiiaaaattiiiiiiiooonnn

FEEBRRUUAARRY 2ë2ì

LLMAA'sss olldeeeesssttt sssÊbsssiiiidiiiiaaaarrÚ beeeegiiiinnsss aaaa nneeeeww

chhaaaapttteeeerr wwiiiittthh aaaa faaaamiiiilliiiiaaaarr nnaaaameeee.

Fresh Face

Fressh Fse

LLMAA'sss olldeeeesssttt sssÊbsssiiiidiiiiaaaarrÚ beeeegiiiinnsss aaaa nneeeeww

Face

Fressh Fse

Fresh

chhaaaapttteeeerr wwiiiittthh aaaa faaaamiiiilliiiiaaaarr nnaaaameeee.

Includes:

Includes:

Mid-Winter Virtual Conference

Mid-Winter

Agenda

Virtual Conference

Agenda Affiliate Conferences

Affiliate Fall Election Conferences Results

Fall Election Results

BROWNFIELD

ASSESSMENT

LET LAMATS

CONDUCT A

SITE VISIT &

GIVE YOUR

COMMUNITY A

CLEAR PATH

FORWARD.

CALL TODAY

(225) 344-5001

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.

LOUISIANA MUNICIPAL REVIEW

MUNICIPAL REVIEW STAFF

(USPS 832-560) (ISSN 0164-3622)

Editor-in-Chief: John Gallagher jgallagher@lma.org

3 rd class postage paid at

Managing Editor: Karen Day White kwhite@lma.org

Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Postmaster – Send address changes to:

Editor: Anita Tillman atillman@lma.org

LOUISIANA MUNICIPAL REVIEW

Production Coordinator: Baton Rouge Press, Inc.

Post Office Box 4327

Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4327

2020-2021 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 – Johnny Berthelot, Councilman, Gonzales

Immediate Past President – Harry Lewis – Mayor, Rayville

LMA Past President – Glenn Brasseaux, Mayor, Carencro

District A Vice President – Peggy Adkins, Mayor, Sarepta

LMA Past President – David Butler, Mayor, Woodworth

District B Vice President – Ronny Walker, Mayor, Ruston

LMA Past President – David Camardelle, Mayor, Grand Isle

District C Vice President – Adam Holland, Mayor, Oak Grove LMA Past President – Clarence Fields, Mayor, Pineville

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) – Randal Rodgers, Mayor, Stonewall

District H Vice President – David Toups, Mayor, Addis

Vice President (2.5K – 5K) – Robert Hardey, Mayor, Westlake

District I Vice President – Jean.Pelloat,.Mayor,.Madisonville

Page 2

LMR | FEBRUARY 2021

Inside the LMA

Director’s Viewpoint

A NEW CHAPTER FOR THE LMA FAMILY

BY JOHN GALLAGHER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

We proudly recognize the month of

February as Black History Month, a time

to reflect on the countless achievements

of, and contributions by, African

American citizens in Louisiana and

nationwide. This month serves as a reminder that black history

is American history, and that we should celebrate the diverse

fabric of our nation. Our strength lies in our ability to recognize

that all humans are imbued with the same divine spirit, and

our willingness to have honest and meaningful conversations

with our neighbors. This month, and throughout the year,

please join me in celebrating the accomplishments of generations

of African Americans, including the outstanding municipal

officials and public servants throughout our great state.

This month’s feature article details the exciting changes underway

at Risk Management, Inc., which is the LMA’s oldest wholly

owned subsidiary and a critical component of our success. Many

of our members are unfamiliar with the essential role that RMI

quietly plays in supporting the LMA’s operations. Along with the

annual dues submitted by member municipalities, the funding

that is generated through participation in RMI’s programs is

what enables LMA staff to provide the robust outreach, technical

assistance, education, and advocacy upon which our members

rely. The bottom line is that without vigorous participation by

our members in RMI’s programs, we could not sustain our superior

level of service to our membership. Because our operational

capabilities are dependent on RMI, we must also acknowledge

that our current strength and resilience would not be possible

without the hard work and dedication of Jerry Cronin.

Jerry built RMI from the ground up over 33 years ago and

throughout its existence, he has served as its General Manager.

Jerry continually built upon RMI’s successes during his tenure,

maintaining a dedicated staff and expanding liability coverage

options and services to produce the high-quality organization

that we benefit from today.

In July, we will bid farewell to Jerry as he retires from RMI

(though we suspect that he will graciously continue to assist

the LMA family when possible). I am very pleased to welcome

his successor, Patrick Cronin, who took over the reins as General

Manager on January 4. Patrick began his career as a claims

adjuster at RMI while the organization was in its infancy before

moving on to a highly successful career supporting and managing

several major private risk management companies. As

you will read in our feature article this month, Patrick’s return to

RMI opens a new chapter for the LMA family, one that portends

a bright future. Patrick is currently making plans to travel the

state to greet our members and discuss how RMI can serve you.

Thank you in advance for welcoming him to the LMA family

and for being open to discussing your coverage needs.

Along with Patrick, we welcome Glenn Broussard, RMI’s new

Casualty Claims Manager. Glenn fills the vacancy left when longtime

claims manager Ron Reibe retired from RMI last year after

many years of faithful service. I want to personally thank Ron for

his dedication and commitment to RMI and the LMA, and wish

him many happy years of enjoying his retirement.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to plague our country,

Louisiana is sadly experiencing its effects in increasingly high

proportions. Each year, we look forward to seeing our members

in person at our annual Mid-Winter Conference in Baton

Rouge, but public safety demands that our 2021 Mid-Winter

Conference on February 23 and 24 be a virtual event. Without

question, we will miss the personal interactions, but we value

the health and well-being of our municipal leaders above all

else. Until such time as we can safely gather, the LMA will continue

to harness technology to maximize your educational opportunities,

including many of the workshops that you would

usually attend at our Mid-Winter Conference. On February

23, we will feature sessions with members of our congressional

delegation, Governor Edwards, and Lieutenant Governor

Nungesser. In addition to a lineup of workshops designed

to support municipal operations, day two of the conference

will also feature a workshop on campaign finance, as well as

an informative panel discussion of mayors regarding disaster

mitigation, relief, and recovery. There will be no registration

fee for our 2021 Virtual Mid-Winter Conference thanks to the

generous support of our corporate partners and sponsors, but

registration is required in order to attend. So please visit our

website to complete your online registration today!

Though we are all striving to go about our daily lives with as

much normalcy as possible, the absence of the usual abundant

Mardi Gras celebrations is a reminder that we must stay

the course to safely emerge from this global pandemic. I urge

you to safeguard your health by following the recommended

COVID-19 mitigation measures and adhering to gathering limitations.

I am witnessing firsthand that even without the typical

parades and festivities, people are still celebrating Mardi Gras

and doing so in incredibly creative ways. I have seen Christmas

trees overhauled into elaborate Mardi Gras trees, and I was delighted

to see the innovative ways in which NOLA residents are

transforming their homes into all manner of Mardi Gras “floats.”

Our talent for creative celebration during this season is a message

to the world that Louisiana is both united and resilient. It

is the people in Louisiana who make me so proud to call this

amazing state my home. The King Cake is just a bonus.

LMR | FEBRUARY 2021 Page 3

President’s Message

95 YEARS STRONG

BY MAYOR JIMMY WILLIAMS, TOWN OF SIBLEY

On January 28, 1926, the first

Louisiana Conference of Mayors was

held to adopt their Constitution,

and elect Mayor F.J. Foisy of

Alexandria the first president of the

organization. That group would eventually become what

is known today as the Louisiana Municipal Association.

Since inception, the LMA has tirelessly served

municipalities of our state, thereby improving the quality

of life for the citizens of our cities, towns, and villages.

Today, we represent the interest of its 305 members,

including 127 villages, 112 towns, 64 cities, and 2 parishes.

For 95 years strong, LMA has remained stable and viable,

but not by accident. For decades we have ensured

that institutional knowledge is not lost with changes in

leadership. John Gallagher currently serves as only the

seventh executive director in LMA’s history and prior to

taking the role, he had already spent 17 years with the

association. Risk Management, Inc. (RMI) is LMA’s oldest

subsidiary and since its founding in 1987, Jerry Cronin

has served as General Manager. After 34 years, Jerry

will retire this summer, but his wisdom and historical

perspective are already deeply embedded in his

successor. We are all thrilled to welcome Patrick Cronin

back to the LMA family as he begins the transition into

the General Manager role at RMI in parallel with Jerry

for the next six months. Patrick’s selection to lead RMI

is yet another example of a stable succession and we

look forward to watching his vision for the future of RMI

unfold.

As John laid out the future in his January column,

“Renewed Vision for 2021,” we can rest assured that LMA

continues to look ahead and embrace new technology

and information without losing our connection to

the past. Sometimes the delivery may evolve due to

changing times, but the mission of education, advocacy,

and service remains the focal point in all that we do -

and the results prove it. If you haven’t done so already,

I want to again encourage you to register for the free

Mid-Winter Virtual Conference that will take place

February 23-24. The strong, stable future of our local

governments depend on our ability to keep learning and

seeking information on ways to improve the quality of

life for our residents. The Mid-Winter agenda is packed

with vital information, so please take advantage of this

opportunity.

I pray that every one of you remains in good health and I

look forward to the day when we can meet face-to-face

to network and share.

Thank you for all that you do for Louisiana.

Page 4

LMR | FEBRUARY 2021

Inside the LMA

Governor’s Column

YOUR PARTNERSHIP IS ESSENTIAL

BY JOHN BEL EDWARDS, GOVERNOR OF LOUISIANA

Let me begin by congratulating

the LMA on celebrating your 95th

anniversary and wish you many

more years of success. This is a true

testament to your leadership and

advocacy on behalf of municipalities. As you build on

your accomplishments, COVID -19 continues to present

a significant challenge. There are nearly 400,000 cases

and close to 9,000 deaths including former and future

leaders who we either know or have worked with. My

heart goes out to everyone grieving the loss of loved

ones. We have all been impacted, and so we must all

take this virus seriously. I am grateful to the LMA for your

partnership during this pandemic.

Fortunately, the COVID vaccines, Pfizer and Moderna, are

here, and President Joe Biden’s administration is releasing

additional doses of both. As a result, there will be an

increasing number of enrolled providers to administer

the vaccines, which is very good news. Though it is not

possible yet to begin mass vaccination events due to the

supply issue, it is our hope to begin so as soon as our

allocation meets that demand. Until then, the Louisiana

Department of Health will ensure doses are distributed

widely and equitably.

At this time, our case counts seem to be heading in the

right direction but the levels are still very high, and the

fact is the risk of getting COVID remains great.

At the time of this article, the Louisiana Dept. of Health

has confirmed the second and third cases of the United

Kingdom (U.K.) variant in our state in Region 1(Greater

New Orleans area) and Region 5 (Southwest/Lake

Charles area). At least 14 more cases are pending confirmation

from the Centers for Disease Control.

While we don’t have vaccines for everyone, we do have

masks for everyone. Given the new strains of the virus

there is all the more reason for everyone to wear a

mask, social distance at least six feet, do not gather with

people outside of your immediate household, wash your

hands frequently and get tested if you believe that you

have been exposed.

LDH has also launched a new COVID notification App

called COVID Defense. It is free, does not track you but

will notify you if you have been exposed to someone

who has tested positive for the virus. It’s available in the

App Store. I have it on my phone and so do more than

30,000 Louisianans. The more people who download it

and use it, the more effective it will be.

I’m pleased to tell you that the Rural Revitalization

Council has completed its report and submitted it to me,

which I am reviewing. Among the recommendations:

expand broadband access across the state, improve

infrastructure, expand offerings of relevant workforce

training and higher education opportunities and expand

and maintain the University System Agricultural Centers.

Meanwhile, the RRC has already yielded success including:

funding a scholarship program for rural doctors,

increasing broadband connectivity and delivering new

federal funds for drinking water infrastructure.

The Delta Regional Authority has let out an RFP to

identify providers, collect accessibility data and prepare

a broadband map for the entire DRA footprint, which

includes 56 of the 64 parishes. The winning contract

will be announced this month and the work will begin

in March. The data will assist with targeted funding, and

municipalities will play a major role in this process. In

March, please be looking for communication from your

planning and development districts to ensure your community

is accurately mapped for this project. I want to

thank the DRA for its partnership in this endeavor, and I

am looking forward to Louisiana having our own broadband

map.

Hurricane recovery continues, and last month I returned

to Southwest Louisiana where they are rebuilding their

lives and communities. I have sent a letter to Pres. Biden

requesting $3 billion in federal aid for unmet recovery

needs for those impacted by Hurricanes Delta, Laura and

Zeta last year. As I stated in my letter: “While we do not

doubt the ability of our citizens to recover, we need the

help of the federal government to make that recovery

complete.” I am awaiting a favorable response.

In closing, this month is Black History Month, a time

when we recognize and celebrate the contributions of

African-Americans to our state and nation. We should

all learn as much as we can this month and every month.

Black history is American history. I was fortunate to travel

with my son to Washington D.C. to witness the historic

inauguration of Pres. Biden and Vice Pres. Kamala Harris,

the first woman and woman of color to serve in that office.

I heard Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman who

said: “For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough

to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.” I pray we

will all be brave enough to be the light. Continue your

good work and God bless.


Legal Briefs

MAY EMPLOYERS REQUIRE VACCINATION?

BY KAREN DAY WHITE, EXECUTIVE COUNSEL

As someone who receives thousands

of questions seeking technical assistance

each year, I am keenly aware of

how frustrating it can be when the response to a seemingly

simple question turns out to be a complicated flowchart

of possible resolutions. Ancient philosopher and

mathematician Pythagoras (yes, he of theorem fame)

noted, “The oldest, shortest words – ‘yes’ and ‘no’ – are

those which require the most thought.” Attempting to

answer this question about employer-mandated vaccines

is perfect proof that our Greek friend knew what he was

talking about.

Because the protection of fundamental employee rights -

as articulated by a complex network of federal legislation

- falls under their purview, the Equal Employment Opportunity

Commission (EEOC) is generally the authority

on the matter. On December 16, 2020, the EEOC issued

revised pandemic guidance in which they conclude that

employers generally can mandate that employees receive

an FDA-approved vaccine. But that conclusion, as

you will see, has a laundry list of caveats attached.

The most significant limitation on mandated vaccinations

is the employer’s obligation to properly consider

the requests of employees who seek exemption from

vaccination requirements due to medical conditions

under the ADA or sincerely held religious beliefs under

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. In both cases, there are

multiple tiers of analysis that must be performed on a

case-by-case basis.

For example, after determining that an employee has a

qualifying disability under the ADA, the employer must

then embark on a series of inquiries, each of which

requires careful examination of several factors. Would

the unvaccinated employee pose a direct threat due to a

significant risk of substantial harm to the health or safety

of others? If so, is there a way to provide a reasonable

accommodation that would eliminate or reduce that risk

to an acceptable level? If not and the employer chooses

to exclude the employee from the workplace, are there

other federal protections that prevent termination or

would require that they be allowed to work remotely?

Similarly, if an employee asserts that a sincerely held

religious belief, practice, or observance prevents them

from receiving the vaccination, the employer must

provide a reasonable accommodation for the religious

belief, practice, or observance unless it would pose an

undue hardship under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

While “religious belief” is broadly interpreted, the employer

may request information to support the claim if

they have an objective basis for questioning either the

religious nature or the sincerity of a particular belief,

practice, or observance.

Another concern is whether the pre-vaccination

screening questions would trigger the provisions of

the ADA or the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination

Act (GINA). Depending on how those questions are

constructed, they may constitute “disability-related

inquiries” regulated by the ADA or may elicit genetic

information (such as family medical history) protected

by GINA. The good news is that these concerns are

irrelevant when the screening and vaccine administration

are conducted by a third party not controlled by

the employer, such as a pharmacy or healthcare provider.

If you plan on administering the vaccine directly

or through a contracted healthcare provider, be very

careful about those screening questions.

An employer may ask an employee if they have already

been vaccinated and if the response is affirmative, the

employer may also ask for proof of vaccination. If the

response is “no,” however, the employer generally cannot

ask the employee why they have not received the

vaccine without triggering ADA protections.

Given the complicated nature of a mandatory vaccine

program, is it really worth it? With recent polls indicating

that a significant percentage of Americans prefer

not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, employers who

want to require employee vaccinations should be prepared

to deal with substantial resistance. Many employers

are choosing instead to dedicate their time and legal

resources toward developing a vaccination incentive

program to encourage voluntary participation. Similar

programs have been developed to incentivize healthy

eating habits, smoking cessation, and frequent exercise,

and those programs have been largely successful.

Though the supply of vaccines is currently limited, and

distribution is in the beginning stages, now is the time to

consider your approach and carefully develop the necessary

rules and processes, regardless of which strategy

that your municipality intends to adopt.

Editor’s Note: the information provided in this column is not a replacement

for consultation with your own municipal attorney, and it should

not be considered legal advice for any particular case or situation.

Page 6

LMR | FEBRUARY 2021

Inside the LMA

Louisiana Municipal Association Celebrates

95 Years of Advocacy, Education, and Service

On January 28, 2021, the Louisiana Municipal Association

celebrated its 95th anniversary of promoting local

governments by shaping legislation, providing education

on municipal issues, and serving as a platform for the exchange

of ideas and experiences among elected officials

and leaders throughout the state.

The first Louisiana Conference of Mayors was held on January

28, 1926, to adopt the organization's Constitution and

elect its first president, Mayor F.J. Foisy of Alexandria, LA.

The organization later adopted its current name, Louisiana

Municipal Association. For nearly a century, LMA has

carried out its mission to promote better municipal governance

by engaging in state and federal legislative advocacy,

developing initiatives to enhance education befitting

municipal entities and their employees, and establishing a

framework for networking among peer-leaders throughout

the state. Since its inception, LMA has been instrumental in

fostering economic growth through the fulfillment of this

trifold mission, focusing its efforts on serving those local

elected leaders who are the closest to the people.

Reflecting on 95 years of member service, LMA Executive

Director John Gallagher said, “I am very excited to launch

our year-long celebration of the Louisiana Municipal Association’s

95th Anniversary today. On January 28, 1926,

municipal leaders from around the state gathered in a

small room in downtown Alexandria to forge an organization

dedicated to promoting the interests of cities, towns,

and villages statewide. The LMA has thrived since then,

surviving the century’s most difficult chapters: The Great

Depression and World War II; the turmoil of the 60s and

the Vietnam War; the rise of global terrorism and September

11; and now, a global pandemic that

continues to challenge the innovation

and resourcefulness of every municipal

leader. Our endurance proves

that local governments are resilient

and that their support and engagement

in our organization are the keys

to the LMA successfully fulfilling our

mission to educate, represent, and serve

Louisiana’s municipal and consolidated parish

governments. The countdown to 100 years has begun

and we could not be more excited about our future.”

Reflecting on what the Association means to its members,

LMA President Mayor Jimmy Williams of Sibley

said, “I think the LMA is the best organization there is.

For 95 years, this organization has been helping municipal

governments in our advocacy efforts from the

Louisiana Legislature to Capitol Hill. The training and

workshops, technical assistance, and networking opportunities

that are available to members are invaluable, especially

to smaller towns and villages that don’t have the

funds to invest in the information needed to improve as

leaders. The longevity of the organization is a testament

to its value, and I am honored to be a member.”

The Louisiana Municipal Association’s (LMA) mission is

to advocate, educate, and empower local governments

to serve the citizens of Louisiana efficiently and effectively.

Every incorporated municipality benefits from the

representation of the Association. Today, there are 305

LMA members consisting of 127 villages, 111 towns, 65

cities, and 2 parishes.


Need a Helping Hand with

Adjudicated Properties?

BY CLIFF PALMER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LAMATS WITH WESLEY EBY JOHNSON, E & P CONSULTING, LLC

Recently, while

assisting the City of

St. Martinville, I met

the attorney who’s

helping them process

adjudicated properties.

I’m excited about

the city’s prospects

for getting a better handle on these

challenges, so I’m sharing the following

insight from my conversations

with Wesley Eby Johnson, of E & P

Consulting, LLC, whose company may

be able to expand its assistance to

other municipalities through a future

LaMATS partnership.

Johnson described a few typical adjudication

scenarios and various ways

they might be addressed and solved Wesley Eby Johnson

through a hands-on problem-solving

approach. She explained that the issues leading to adjudication

are usually more complicated for the property-owner (not to

mention for the municipality) than simply one of “cash flow,” as

often cited.

Here are the scenarios she outlined:

(1) The property

owner has homestead

exemption in the parish.

He fails to pay a onetime

city ad valorum tax

bill that is placed on his

property, and it goes

to the city tax sale. The

tax sale certificate is not

purchased, and the property is adjudicated to the city. By the

time the property owner realizes what has occurred, a $35.00

fee has become a charge of over $500. This did not originate

as a cash flow problem: It was a communication problem

that is now a cash flow problem.

(2) The property above is redeemed and the owner pays

the $500 bill to the city, but the redemption certificate is

not filed in the courthouse. This means that the mortgage

is not officially extinguished, and the property owner is left

with a receipt, but nothing else, to demonstrate redemption.

This situation is far more problematic when the tax certificate

has been purchased by a third party (because the tax

debtor usually realizes that the redemption has never been

recorded after the redemption period has expired). Yet, if the

property has been adjudicated to the political subdivision,

there is time to unravel the situation without third party

involvement. This situation is also not a cash flow problem; it

is a personnel and/or internal management problem within

the political subdivision.

(3) A property is adjudicated to the municipality and seven

years have passed. An heir seeks to redeem the property.

The tax collector refuses to allow the redemption, citing the

Louisiana Constitution’s three year right of redemption as the

reason for the refusal. The heir walks away with his money,

and the property remains on the adjudicated list. This occurs

more often than one would think. However, the constitutional

“right” of redemption in the Louisiana Constitution

(La. Const. Art. VII, Sec. 25) should never be used to banish a

piece of property to what is best referred to as “adjudicated

property purgatory.”

(4) The property owner has a homestead exemption in

the parish. She dies without a will and no other real property

of significant value. One adult child (the former caregiver) is

living in the family home with two children. That child continues

to maintain the home, but the property no longer has

homestead exemption in the parish because the homeowner

is not living in the home. A bank mortgage to pay the taxes is

not possible, because ownership has not been transferred to

the heirs. The property goes to tax sale, and the problem becomes

more complicated and costly to correct. This situation,

yet again, is not a “cash flow problem.” It is a problem with

education and knowledge of how to address heirs’ property

in the early stages, and in some situations, it is also a

cooperation problem because the simplest solutions require

cooperation by private parties that admittedly cannot be

controlled by the municipality.

As Johnson states, “These are just a few examples of scenes that

play out every day in our communities. They are almost always

associated with the most problem properties, the ones apparently

forgotten or in disarray, the abandoned and blighted. The

best solutions require a collaborative effort that is often best

coordinated by the company selling the adjudicated property.”

We know these and similar issues are common challenges to all

LMA members. We’ll be speaking again with Wesley Eby Johnson

and sharing more of her expertise in future articles. If you’re

interested in learning about developing or improving your

process in the area of blight remediation, contact Cliff Palmer at

cpalmer@lamats.net or (225) 344-5001.

Page 8

LMR | FEBRUARY 2021

New Board and New Date Slated

for LAMSA Spring Conference

BY MARLAINE PEACHEY, LAMSA CONFERENCE COORDINATOR

LAMSA’s Executive Committee and

Directors At Large have appointed

a new slate of officers to serve until

elections are held at the upcoming

spring conference now scheduled for

May 2021.

New Board positions are as follows:

President: Yvonne Lewis, City of

Talullah, Vice President: Contance

Barbin, City of St. Gabriel, Secretary:

Roxanna Richard, Town of

Gueydan, Treasurer: Joan

Methvin, Village of Maurice.

Directors At Large: Jamie

Liner: Town of Golden

Meadow, Lynn Hebert,

Terrebonne Parish Consolidated

Government, Glenna

Luther, City of DeRidder,

Suzette Thomas, Terrebonne

Parish Consolidated

Directors At Large:

scheduled be held at Margaritaville

Casino and Resort in Bossier was

scheduled for March 10 – 12, but has

now been moved to May 5 – 7, 2021.

Save the date! An email will be sent

to all members with further instructions.

Stay tuned to upcoming

articles here in the review and in the

LMA e-newsletter.

A Word from

Our Affiliates

We have greatly missed our mem-

New Board Positions:

bers and hope to see you soon! For

more information, contact Marlaine

Peachey, LAMSA Conference Coordinator,

at lamsaconference@att.net or

985-630-1798.

Yvonne Lewis Constance Barbin Roxanna Richard Joan Methvin

Jamie Liner Lynn Hebert Glenna Luther Suzette Thomas Andrea Livings

Past Presidents

Government, and Andrea

Livings, Lafayette Consolidated

Government. Past

Presidents still remaining

on board are Penny

Simmons, DeRidder; Lori

Spranley, Mandeville; Hilda

Edwards, Ville Platte; and

Myra Streeter, Walker.

Please note that the

spring conference

Penny Simmons Lori Spranley Hilda Edwards Myra Streeter


New Leadership at LMA's Oldest Subsidiary

Brings A Wealth of Knowledge and Stability

It has been said, “Leadership is the capacity to translate vision

into reality.” As we forge ahead in this new year, we are

thrilled to welcome a new principal for our vital subsidiary,

Risk Management, Inc. Patrick Cronin formally assumed his

new role as General Manager on January 4, accepting the

challenge of honoring the legacy of RMI’s retiring founder

and GM Emeritus, Jerry Cronin.

LMA Executive Director John Gallagher was impressed not

only with Patrick’s academic and professional qualifications,

but with his gusto and his collegiality:

We were blessed that the RMI Board had several GM

candidates who all had stellar qualifications. After the

deep-dive interviews, Patrick was an excellent choice,

in my opinion. His enthusiasm in his new role as General

Manager is contagious and he is not afraid to roll up

his sleeves and dive right in, even when the situation is

incredibly demanding. RMI and the LMA have a resilient

bond, one that I foresee only growing stronger as we open

a new chapter in our partnership, one that will be marked

by stability, innovation, and our joint commitment to excellence

in member service.

Though this changing of the guard undoubtedly feels like

step into the unknown for some municipal officials, for Patrick,

his new role is more akin to a homecoming.

From the Beginning

In addition to his familial connection to RMI for over 30 years

through his father, Patrick has a personal relationship with the

organization that amazingly predates RMI officially opening

its doors on January 1, 1987. He worked part-time assembling

office furniture for incoming employees of the fledging business.

Then shortly after RMI was up and running, he provided

data entry services for takeover claims on an hourly basis.

While he was finishing up earning his bachelor’s degree from

LSU in criminal justice, Patrick officially joined RMI as a claim

representative in 1987, mere weeks before his graduation. His

position required that he travel throughout the state, visiting

numerous cities, towns, and villages over the next few years

to investigate auto, general, and law enforcement liability

claims. This intimate involvement with Louisiana’s municipalities,

for which Patrick remains grateful, shaped his career in

liability claims and ultimately proved to be the foundational

experience that brought him back to the LMA family.

Knowledge Amplified through Experience

In 1990, Patrick joined the private sector of insurance related

claims and risk services and, soon after, he moved into

his first management role with Sedgwick CMS in 1994. In

1998, he successfully developed – from the ground up -

and launched Stoneville Claim Services. Patrick’s expertise

landed him numerous management and executive level

positions with southern regional and national organizations,

positions that expanded his skill set to include critical

elements of human resources and logistics.

Among his many professional accomplishments, one notable

standout is Patrick’s earned designation as a Chartered

Property Casualty Underwriter. The prestigious CPCU designation

is held by less than 4% of insurance professionals

and is the most distinguished designation offered in the insurance

industry, so achieving CPCU status is a praiseworthy

feat. Patrick also holds adjuster licenses in Louisiana,

Mississippi, and Alabama, and holds a Property/Casualty

Consultant license in Louisiana. He is an Accredited Advisor

in Insurance (AAI) and a Certified Worker’s Compensation

Professional (CWCP). Indeed, Patrick has been so pro-

Page 10

LMR | FEBRUARY 2021

Feature

Patrick (left) standing with LMA President Jimmy Williams, First Vice President Michael Chauffe, LMA Executive Director John

Gallagher, and retiring RMI General Manager Jerry Cronin following the first Executive Committee meeting of 2021.

lific in his career, that properly citing the full extent of his

credits requires a lengthy string of letters behind his name.

For over 33 years, Patrick excelled in his chosen field of

insurance, cost containment, loss prevention, underwriting,

and risk management. He particularly focused on the

third-party administration of claims for both insured and

self-insured corporations and public entities, and his proficiency

elements in that of area human makes resources him perfectly and suited logistics. to be RMI’s

General Manager.

Among his many A Calling professional to Serve accomplishments,

and

one

LMA leaders

notable

to develop

standout

a fresh,

is

robust

Patrick’s

marketing

earned

initiative.

Beyond simply rebranding, Patrick’s marketing push is

A designation dedicated hiring as a committee Chartered of the Property RMI Board Casualty of Directors Underwriter.

conducted intense interviews with several qualified candidates

empowering municipal

The prestigious

leaders to

CPCU

understand

designation

and appreciate

is the the unparalleled most distinguished value of RMI’s designation liability protection offered offer-

is

held

in

by

October

less than

of last

4%

year.

of insurance

Following the

professionals

extensive con-anversations, in the insurance which consumed industry, an entire so achieving day, the committee CPCU status

ings.

is

Unlike

a praiseworthy

traditional insurance,

feat.

RMI’s

Patrick

liability

also

services

holds

are

selected Patrick as their chosen recommendation to the full tailored specifically for municipal needs, so serving municipalities

is not part of what RMI does; it is ALL that RMI does.

RMI Board. As a leader who is more focused on honesty and

authenticity than building a false veneer of perfection, Patrick

was humbled by the selection, stating, “I was honored to interlocal risk pools through profitably reclaiming former

Patrick’s multi-faceted strategy is designed to rebuild critical

receive the votes of confidence from board members, especially

given the profound depth of their knowledge regardbers

to join the RMI family of self-insured funds.

RMI participants, while also recruiting new municipal meming

RMI and LMA operations.”

Regarding his work philosophy, Patrick does not think of his

role at RMI as simply a job or a position. Rather, he believes

that his return to RMI is rooted in a calling to serve the insurance,

claims, and risk management needs of Louisiana’s

cities, towns, and villages. Patrick believes that passion for

service and organizational commitment to our municipal

members will direct RMI’s path toward its exciting future, and

he has created a dynamic plan to embrace that new chapter.

In 1990, Patrick joined the private sector of insurance related claims and risk services and, soon

after, he moved into his first management role with Sedgwick CMS in 1994. In 1998, he

successfully developed – from the ground up - and launched Stoneville Claim Services. Patrick’s

expertise landed him numerous management and executive level positions with southern

regional and national organizations, positions that expanded his skill set to include critical

His mission is to return RMI its former prominence as the

leading statewide provider of insurance and risk-related services

to small and mid-sized municipalities. He immediately

hit the ground running, prioritizing collaboration with RMI

While the marketing initiative was a time-sensitive priority,

Patrick is quick to note that it is but the first of many positive

strategies that he intends to implement under the shrewd

leadership of the RMI Board of Directors.


Page 12

On the Horizon

Patrick believes that the synergy between

RMI and the LMA will soon give rise to the

creation and proliferation of more comprehensive

coverage and product offerings for

fund members, while the organization also

concentrates on continually improving its

technological and operational capabilities.

It is essential that RMI constantly explore

new coverage options and liability solutions

for Louisiana’s municipalities because

vigorous participation in RMI’s self-insurance

funds is the major source of funding

for the LMA. The diverse benefits that the

LMA provides to municipal members – including

educational opportunities, legislative

advocacy, and technical assistance

– are services upon which members have

come to rely to empower effective administration

of municipal government.

•• • Oscar “Buddy” Couvillion –– – Applications Manager

• Oscar “Buddy” Couvillion – Applications Mana

John Gallagher Patrick Cronin Glenn Broussard Nikia

This skilled team functions under the direction of a Board

mayors of participating Louisiana municipalities. This structu

municipal government are capably addressed.

Simply stated, those services would cease

to exist in their current form without the

financial Patrick support Cronin that is realized Glenn when Broussard municipalities

participate in liability protection

Nikia Nikia Nikia Williams Ann Ann Ann Phillips Buddy Couvillion

through RMI. Because of this symbiosis

and the mutual desire to work hand-in-hand, Patrick is confident

Additional benefit programs available through Risk

Management Insurance Agency Inc.:

that for RMI and the LMA, the best days are yet to come.

Cyber Liability and Cyber Attack Protection

Your RMI Staff

Accident and Health Dental

Automobile Collision/Comprehensive (Physical Damage)

Headed by Patrick, the operational RMI’s management Suite of of of team Services of RMI

Airport Commercial General Liability

has over a century of collective experience in risk management.

Fire and Property

• John Gallagher – President and LMA Executive Director

Personal Lines

• Patrick Cronin, CPCU, AIC, AIM, AAI, ARM, CWCP – General

Inland Marine

Manager

General Liability

• Glenn Broussard – Casualty Stop It Before It Starts

Claims Automobile Manager

Liability

• Nikia Williams Law – Membership and Billing Supervisor Municipal leaders who are responsible for safety within their municipality

are keenly aware of the need for an effective on-going

Manager Public Official Errors and and and Omissions safety program. Today, claims costs are continually increasing, so

Law Law Enforcement Professional Liability

• Ann Phillips – Administrative Assistant to the General

• Oscar “Buddy” Couvillion Workman’s – Applications Compensation

Manager

steps designed to help manage those costs are extremely important.

RMI can help you implement a comprehensive safety

This skilled team functions under the direction Dental of a Board of Directors,

which is made up of mayors of participating Louisiana

program, a cost saving measure that pays dividends well beyond

the fiscal bottom line. Additionally, the promotion of a sound

municipalities. This structure assures that the unique needs of

safety program can also establish good will by demonstrating

municipal government are capably addressed.

Cyber and management’s continued interest in the safety and well-being of

Cyber Liability and and Cyber Cyber Attack Attack Protection

RMI’s Suite of Services

and their employees. Some of the elements of your safety program

Accident and and Health Health

Louisiana Municipal Risk Management Indemnity Programs

that we evaluate include:

Automobile currently Collision/Comprehensive available:

(Physical Damage) Safety/Health Training Programs

Airport Airport General Liability Commercial General General Liability Liability

Motor Vehicle Safety Programs

Automobile Fire Fire Liability and and Fire and Property Property

Safety Awards Programs

Law Enforcement Professional Personal

Liability Lines Lines

Employee Safety Awareness

Public Official Errors

Inland Personal Omissions Lines

Strategies for High-Risk Circumstances

Workman’s Compensation

Inland Inland Marine Marine

Hiring Procedures

Dental

LMR | FEBRUARY 2021

RMI’s Suite of Services

Louisiana Municipal Risk Management Indemnity Pr

General Liability

Automobile Liability

led killed team functions under the the the direction of of of a a a Board of of of Directors, which is is is made

Law up up up of Enforcement of of

Professional L

s of f of participating Louisiana municipalities. This structure assures that the the the unique needs

Public of of of

Official Errors and Omis

l are are Workman’s Compensation

ipal government are capably addressed.

Additional benefit programs available through Risk Mana

Cyber Liability and Cyber Attack P

Louisiana Municipal Risk Risk Risk Management Indemnity Programs currently available:

Accident and Health

Automobile Collision/Comprehensive (Ph

Airport Commercial General Lia

Fire and Property

Personal Lines

Inland Marine

ditional benefit programs available through

Risk Risk Risk Management Insurance Agency

Inc.: Inc.: Inc.:

Stop It Before It Starts

Municipal leaders who are responsible for safety within the

the need for an effective on-going safety program. Today, cla

so steps designed to help manage those costs are extrem

implement a comprehensive safety program, a cost saving

beyond the fiscal bottom line. Additionally, the promotion

establish good will by demonstrating management’s contin

being of their employees. Some of the elements of your

Stop It Before It Starts include:

Stop Stop It It Before Before It It Starts Starts

al leaders who are for safety within their are keenly aware of

ipal leaders leaders who who are are responsible responsible for for safety safety within within their their municipality municipality are are keenly keenly aware aware of of

d for for an an effective on-going safety safety program. Today, Today, claims claims costs costs are are continually increasing,

When our experts have completed their review, their findings

and specific recommendations are then provided to you in a

written summary report, which generally includes customized

suggestions regarding:

Safety Plans

Safety Policies

Guidelines for Safety Awards Programs

Guidelines for Conducting Safety Inspections, Safety Meetings, and

Accident Investigations

Guidelines for Forming Safety Committees

New Employee Orientation

Development of Safety Training Aids

RMI also provides participating members with online loss prevention

training, which can be selected and tailored to meet

your needs.

Services Backed by Legal Experts

RMI provides more than just indemnification – it provides outstanding

legal representation and counsel that give our members

peace of mind. It cannot be overemphasized that the attorneys

retained by RMI are specialists in municipal defense.

Defending Louisiana’s municipalities against a broad scope of

liability bases is not merely one aspect of RMI’s legal indemnity

focus – it is their sole focus.

By participating in RMI’s indemnification programs, municipal

members reap the benefits of expert knowledge and powerful

Announcing the

LMA 2021 Leadership Series

The LMA has once again partnered with the professionals at LSU

Online & Continuing Education to offer a series of outstanding

workshops that cover some of the most requested and timely topics.

Due to popular demand, we will once again offer expertise in

grant writing from David Kiviaho and Sharon Sandifer of kiisa Corporation.

We are also excited to offer content on critical issues such

Show Me the Money: Grant Writing Series

• March 24 and March 25, 9 a.m.—11 a.m.

Grant Writing Essentials! (4 hours over two 2-hour sessions; Fee:

$99)

• April 7, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Writing the Grant Application (2 hours; Fee: $79)

• April 21, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Identifying and Applying to the Right Funder (2 hours; Fee: $79)

Feature

tools to avoid liability in the first place. Because municipal litigation

is a specialized area of practice, lawyers who do not focus

on defending local governments are likely unaware of the full

scope of immunities and defenses available to municipalities.

This knowledge can mean the difference between a policy-limit

judgment new and chapter.

a dismissal at the plaintiff’s cost. In short, RMI provides

exceptional legal representation at extremely competitive

CONTINUED PAGE 14

as financial management, workplace liability, and working remotely,

and we welcome skilled trainer E.J. Smith, MBA, for this series.

Because of our special collaboration, these classes will be offered to

our members at an exceptionally low cost.

Hot Topics in Management

• June 3, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Financial Management Basics for All Managers (3-hour session;

Fee: $89)

• June 16, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Current Workplace Liability Issues (2-hour session; Fee: $79)

• June 30, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Strategies for Managing a Remote Workforce (2-hour session; Fee:

$79)

Registration for these workshops will open later this month,

so please monitor our e-newsletters and social media for the latest updates.

A dedi

conduc

candid

conver

selecte

RMI Bo

authen

was hu

receive

especia

regard

Regard

role at

that h

insurance, claims, and risk management

believes that passion for service and orga

direct RMI’s path toward its exciting futu

His mission is to return RMI its former pro

and risk-related services to small and mi

running, prioritizing collaboration with RM

initiative. Beyond simply rebranding, Pat

to understand and appreciate the

offerings. Unlike traditional insurance,

municipal needs, so serving municipalit

does. Patrick’s multi-faceted strategy is d

profitably reclaiming former RMI particip

join the RMI family of self-insured funds.


prices, and when it

comes to legal liability

coverage, experience

matters.

Let’s Talk

Patrick believes that the synergy between RMI and the LMA will soon give rise to the creation

and proliferation of more comprehensive coverage and product offerings for fund members,

while the organization also concentrates on continually improving its technological and

operational capabilities. It is essential that RMI constantly

Attorney explore new coverage General’s

options and liability solutions for

Louisiana’s municipalities because vigorous participation in

Unlike traditional Opinions

RMI’s self-insurance funds is the major source of funding

insurance, RMI’s

BY for JEFF the LMA. LANDRY, The ATTORNEY diverse benefits GENERAL that the LMA provides to

liability services are municipal members – including the educational

Elected Chiefs of Police

tailored specifically for opportunities, legislative Opinion: 20-0070 advocacy, The mayor and and the technical

municipal needs, so assistance – are services board of aldermen upon which cannot members exercise have come

to rely to empower the inherent effective powers administration and authority of serving municipalities is

municipal

the elected chief of police. Released:

not part of what RMI government.

1/14/2021

does; it is ALL that RMI

does.

Simply stated, those services would cease to exist in their

This is an exciting

time in the evolution

of RMI and we

want you to be a

part of it! If you are

currently a member,

it may be time

to sit down and

discuss your coverage

to confirm

that we are meeting all your needs and expectations. If you

are a former participant, please give us a chance to win back

your business. Our capable days are team yet of to RMI come. consultants is eager

to meet with you. And if you have never enjoyed the liability

or workers’ compensation protections offered by RMI, now is a

perfect time to let us show you how we can help to strengthen

your bottom line and provide critical protection against your

potential liability.

Opinion: 20-0070 The mayor and the

board of aldermen cannot exercise the inherent

powers and authority of the elected

chief of police. Released: 1/14/2021

current form without the financial support that is realized

when municipalities participate in liability protection through RMI. Because of this symbiosis and

the mutual desire to work hand-in-hand, Patrick is confident that for RMI and the LMA, the best

Alcohol Regulation

Opinion: 20-0082 Absent a local option referendum election,

the Town of Jena may not adopt, amend or enforce an ordinance

regulating the sale of beverages of high alcohol content.

Your RMI Staff

The terms of a future referendum would determine whether a

license holder would be “grandfathered” under such a referendum.

Released: 1/11/2021

Headed by Patrick, the operational management team of RMI has over a century of collective

experience in risk management.

ENVIRONMENTAL

TECHNICAL SALES, INC.

7731 Office Park Blvd.

Baton Rouge, LA 70809

(225) 295-1200 (225) 295-1800 (fax)

The

Right

Reports.

Right Now.

• John Gallagher – President and LMA Executive Director

• Patrick Cronin, CPCU, AIC, AIM, AAI, ARM, CWCP – General Manager

• Glenn Broussard – Casualty Claims Manager

• Nikia Williams – Membership and Billing Supervisor

• Ann Phillips – Administrative Assistant to the General Manager

Daniel Hebert, President

Ronnie Hebert, Chairman

Brady Sessums, Vice President

www.etec-sales.com

Water … Wastewater … Sludge

Odor Control…Pumping

Equipment Systems…Solutions

To get your

FREE

guide visit:

www.csasoftwaresolutions.com/fundaccounting

Distributed By

CenterPoint ®

Fund Accounting

and Payroll Software

www.csasoftwaresolutions.com • 800.264.4465

Page 14

LMR | FEBRUARY 2021

Partner Insight

We’ve

Got This,

Louisiana!

BY LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

BILLY NUNGESSER

Dear LMA Partners,

Sure, it’s been a challenging year

for all of us. But, rest assured, we

will come back stronger and better

than ever! That’s the resounding

message you’ll hear from me

at this year’s LMA Mid-Winter

Conference.

When doors to the world shutdown due to the

pandemic, our offices did not. Our offices saw this

as a sign to work harder and search for answers to

help Louisiana bounce back. After all, we had four

consecutive years of record breaking tourism numbers

before COVID-19 and Hurricanes Laura, Delta and Zeta.

Out of all of this came "The Sunshine Plan," the state’s

recovery plan for tourism.

The first thing we did was ask the Louisiana Legislature

to lift the 10% cap on in-state advertising to begin

promoting staycations. We asked people to responsibly

enjoy the outdoors and offered the 4th night free at

our Louisiana State Parks. It worked! Our parks have

experienced their busiest summer in ten years. Even

with shutdowns due to hurricane damage, our parks

still report record numbers. And, 80% of all visitation is

in-state travel.

We’ve also given out $3.5 million in grants to CVBs and

tourism partners to continue to promote and market

Louisiana. There are also some great targeted PSAs to

encourage travel throughout the state. The campaign

encourages people to go to www.LouisianaIsATrip.com

and plan their next adventure.

These are just a few of the exciting things I’ll share with

you in the upcoming conference. So, please plan to join

us. You won’t regret it.

Until then, take a chance to see what your neighbors

have to offer in their towns by going to www.

LouisianaIsATrip.com and planning your next staycation.

Then, tell your friends and family. Together, we are

#LouisianaStrong.

Treasury Notes

Local Governments Have

Unclaimed Property

BY STATE TREASURER

JOHN M. SCHRODER

As we settle into a new year, I want

to let you know about some exciting

developments in the Louisiana Department of Treasury.

I love to get the word out about Unclaimed Property,

and last year was a great year for returning this money.

Unclaimed Property is lost money that is sent to the

Louisiana Treasury from bank accounts, gift certificates,

savings bonds, royalties and uncashed checks. We hold

onto your money until you claim it.

Unclaimed Property is not just for individuals. We also

return money to local governments, including cities,

towns, parish governments and various subdivisions of

parish governments. In 2020, we returned $1.1 million to

municipalities all over the state.

Even if you found money for your municipality last year,

we could have more money to return to you. Every year

we receive new Unclaimed Property. We have received

$87 million since the July 1 start of the state fiscal year.

Search at www.latreasury.com. You should be able to do

the entire claim online. If you have any questions, give

us a call at 225-342-0010. We want you to claim your

money.

I am also excited to report that the state received the

first bond rating upgrade in a decade.

S&P and Fitch Ratings – two of the big rating agencies

– upgraded the rating on $201 million in state highway

improvement bonds. This is the first time Louisiana has

received a rating upgrade since 2011.

The refinancing of the bonds will allow for the repair

and resurfacing of rural roads across Louisiana. Some

of the work is likely in your area. Because of our rating

upgrade, the refinancing will generate savings that can

repair and resurface even more rural roads.

The state also refinanced about $1.6 billion in bonds

last year to generate more than $238 million in savings

for taxpayers. It is a good idea to look at your bonds

and decide if you can generate some savings by

refinancing.

I am excited about the year ahead and look forward to

working with you in 2021. My door is always open to you.


Perhaps you are unaware that USDA Rural are available with one percent interest. For example, at one

Development participates in the mortgage percent, a $5,000 loan has a payment of only $23.00 per month.

market and that no down payment home

and 100 percent

Thornton,

financing

Musso,

loan programs

&Bellemin

For seniors only, if you are 62 or older, grants up to $7,500 are

are available. Through a

available. Grant funds can only be used to pay for repairs and

variety of housing options, Rural Development helps individuals

I approve this ad copy for use in the following issues: LWR-R0018 improvements to remove health and safety hazards. You can add

and families achieve the dream of homeownership.

Through the Single-Family homeownership programs, eligible

applicants can buy an existing home, build a new home, prepare

lots for home construction, and refinance existing homes

under certain circumstances. For families and individuals with

limited income, loans are available for repairs or to improve or

modernize a home. Very-low applicants, 62 years or older, may

Index Listings

be eligible for grant assistance.

To be eligible for assistance, you must have a dependable

income and able to make payments. You can buy, build, or repair

a home as your permanent residence in an eligible rural area.

Generally, rural areas with a population less than 35,000 are

eligible. Visit the USDA property and eligibility website at: http://

eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov.

Direct Homeownership Loans are available to lower income

individuals and families who wish to live in rural areas. Loans

may be made to buy an existing home or to build a new home,

or they can be used to buy and prepare a home site or renovate

a house being purchased.

If your income is too high for a direct

homeownership loan, you may qualify

for a guaranteed loan. These loans are

made by local lenders, such as banks

or credit unions, and are guaranteed

by Rural Development. Again, no

down payment is required and you

can build a new home or purchase

an existing home. To be eligible for

this program, applicants may have an

income of up to 115 percent of the

median income for the area and able

to afford the mortgage, taxes, and

insurance. Loans are currently 30-year

fixed rate mortgages.

If you’re already a rural homeowner,

you may be eligible for a loan to

make substantial repairs or vital

improvements to modernize a home.

Through the Housing Repair Loan and

Grant Program, loans of up to $20,000

Rural Development

Membership Directory

2018 Roster Edition

Official Publication of the

BUY, BUILD, OR REPAIR YOUR RURAL HOME

THROUGH USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Louisiana Rural Water Association

BY ACTING USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT STATE DIRECTOR DIANA SMITH

WATER TREATMENT CONSULTANTS

Pub Code

access for persons with disabilities, Authorized Signature: insulation, replace or repair a

roof, a septic tank, repair a heating system, and similar uses. You

Date:

can also combine a loan of $20,000 with a grant of $7,500 for up

to $27,500 in assistance if Artwork you qualify. Contact:

We have great success stories throughout the state. However,

there are still individuals, families, and the elderly, who need

decent housing. Adequate and affordable housing supports

stronger community development. I am sure you know

someone who can benefit from these housing programs.

Rural Development area offices are in Monroe (318) 343-4467,

Natchitoches (318) 352-7100, Lafayette (337) 262-6601, and

Amite (985) 748-8751. Please visit www.rd.usda.gov/la for

contact information or just Google Rural Development La. USDA

is available to assist rural communities with tools and resources

that ensure rural families, businesses and communities have the

help they need to thrive. Don’t forget to follow us on twitter @

RD_Louisiana.

Custom Water

Treatment Programs

Designed by Professionals Since 1990

POTAB

ABLE

WASTE

WA

ATER

FAX: (225)654-9533

P. O. Bory,

Advertising Space

LWR-R00

Ad Order # 1636839

Adv Code 179697

S. Rep: Jason Zawada (C)

Corrosion Inhibition Iron & Manganese Control Enhanced Disinfection NSF Certified

EPA Approved Chlorine dioxide for Stage 2 compliance assurance DBP reduction

Sludge Dewatering Polymers Dechlorination Technical Support/Service Testing

Naylor, LLC - Gain

5950 NW 1st Pl

Gainesville, Florida,

Tel:(800) 369-6220, (352

Fax: (352) 331-3

Page 16

707693_Thornton.indd 1

LMR | FEBRUARY 2021

8/21/14 8:33 PM

Partner Insight

COVID and You

BY: L. GORDON KING, GOVERNMENT CONSULTANTS, INC.

Let’s be honest: 2020 is a year that we would all like to

forget.

The year started with LSU winning the National

Championship and earning nearly every award

available, but it ended with the Tigers finishing 5-and-5

after playing their home games before only a handful

of fans. Sadly, I did not watch a single game in Tiger

Stadium during their 2020 season, breaking the faithful

attendance streak that started in 1976 when I was a

freshman in law school.

The year started with government officials, employees,

and the public attending open meetings in person,

but it ended with public bodies conducting online

meetings through Zoom and other platforms. Just

today, I attended yet another online meeting for one of

our clients, but if you had told me back in February of

2020 that I would be doing that, I would have replied,

“What in the hell is Zoom?!”

The year started with no real worldwide health issues,

but it ended with “COVID-19” and “Coronavirus” being

household words that we hear uttered hundreds of

times each day. Today, this devastating pandemic

continues to wreak havoc across the globe.

On the heels of my son-in-law unexpectedly passing

away in October, I contracted the virus in mid-

December. I recently learned that my dear friend,

Mayor David C. Butler of Woodworth, is one of

many people currently fighting the effects of the

Coronavirus. I am so thankful for my recovery, and my

prayers go out to all of those who have been impacted

GOVERNMENT CONSULTANTS, INC.

Specializing in Bond Issues and Financing

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!


by this deadly virus.

While federal and state authorities are working on

vaccine distribution, what can we do to individually

deal with COVID-19?

First, we must practice safe hygiene: mask up, wash

your hands frequently, and stay 6 feet apart; and when

the vaccine becomes available, I encourage you to

take the shot. Second, if you contract the disease,

please follow your doctor’s instructions and treatment,

quarantine while the virus runs its course, and then

slowly return to work when you have been cleared to

do so. Lastly, please check on your family and friends

as often as you can. This disease can sneak up on you,

escalating from annoying to life-threatening in short

order.

At Government Consultants, we are happy to see 2020

in the rear-view mirror and we remain committed to

providing Louisiana’s municipalities with the fiscal

advice and support that they need now more than

ever. Interest rates continue to hover in historically low

ranges, and it appears that they are going to remain

there for some time.

global expertise

delivered locally

-

Individuals who have not reviewed their home

mortgage rates in a while should consider taking

advantage of these low rates by refinancing in the

sub-3% range. Municipalities should likewise seize the

opportunity to review their debt refinancing options.

The savings that will result from lowering your interest

rates can be huge. In 2020, we navigated numerous

municipal clients through the refinancing of their debt,

saving them millions of dollars. Contact us today to

discuss how your municipality can realize extraordinary

savings by utilizing the services offered by GCI’s team

of experts.

Let’s shake off 2020 and forge ahead on all fronts in

2021. As we continue to pray for the families of those

already lost to COVID-19 and for those who will, in time,

be affected by the pandemic, we remain optimistic for

the future and we are mindful to show gratitude for

our blessings each day. Hang in there, my friends. The

vaccines are coming.

L. Gordon King formerly served as General Counsel, Deputy Director,

and Executive Director of the LMA, and he is now a partner at

Government Consultants, Inc.

asset management

steel & concrete tanks | treatment plants

pipes | meters

water quality in distribution systems

in-tank water mixers | trihalomethane removal systems

disinfectant residual control systems

smart metering services

Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) | smart meters

managed services | performance guarantees

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL WATER SYSTEM CONSULTANT

Jimbo Hoffman

855-526-4413 | ask@suez.com

Utility Service Co., Inc. | www.suez-na.com

An ISO 9001:2015 Quality Assured Company

Page 18

LMR | FEBRUARY 2021

Municipalities

Mid-Winter Registration is Now Open

From the timely topics of disaster mitigation and

recovery, to tailored training in municipal operations, to

exclusive content from statewide officials and members

of Louisiana’s congressional delegation, this conference

series has been carefully crafted by the LMA event

team to maximize learning opportunities for municipal

leaders.

Because of the generosity of our corporate partners

and the LMA Executive Board’s commitment to

providing our members with the highest caliber of

education at the lowest possible price, LMA member

municipalities’ officials and employees may register

and attend this exceptional event AT NO CHARGE.

Though your attendance is complimentary, registration

is required, so please visit www.lma.org to confirm your

seat for these informative sessions.

Please email registration@lma.org to request a username

and password or if you need assistance registering

online.

We look forward to seeing you in cyberspace!

REMINDER

STATE OF LOUISIANA ETHICS REQUIREMENTS

FOR ALL ELECTED PUBLIC OFFICIALS

According to the Louisiana Ethics Administration,

all newly-elected public officials must complete

one hour of Ethics training within 90 days of taking

office. This requirement affects those who have

changed elected positions, as well as first-time

elected officials.

All elected public officials and public servants

(employees) must complete one hour of training

during this year.

Remember, online training and certification

for all elected officials and public servants

can be obtained through the Louisiana Ethics

Administration Program website, http://eap.ethics.

la.gov/EthicsTraining/login.aspx. (Register, create a

username and password, login, and follow all

instructions provided.)


Fall 2020 Election Results, Part 2

Join us in congratulating all

of the municipal officials who

were elected last fall. Most

of those elected were listed

in the January issue of the

Louisiana Municipal Review, but

many were elected unopposed,

which is a credit to the caliber

of their public service. Here in

part 2 of the results, you will

find a listing of those who won

unopposed in the fall 2020

elections.

Allen Parish

George A. Ashy, II - Councilman,

Oakdale

Ervin Willis, Sr. -Councilmember,

Oakdale

Ascension Parish

Reginald Francis, Sr. –

Councilmember, Donaldsonville

Sherman Jackson - Police Chief,

Gonzales

Barney D. Arceneaux – Mayor,

Gonzales

John A. Berthelot – Councilmember,

Gonzales

Kirk Boudreaux – Councilman,

Gonzales

Tyler J. Turner - Councilman,

Gonzales

Avoyelles Parish

William Scott, III - Mayor, Cottonport

Kenneth Friels - Councilmember,

Cottonport

Curtis Francisco - Mayor Pro-Tem,

Cottonport

Luke Welch - Councilmember,

Cottonport

Kenneth P. Smith - Police Chief,

Hessmer

Mark Jeansonne – Mayor, Hessmer

Terryl St. Romain – Mayor,

Plaucheville

Guy P. Lemoine – Alderman,

Plaucheville

Robbie Plauche - Alderman,

Plaucheville

Craig Gremillion – Alderman,

Plaucheville

Sherman R. Bell, Sr. – Alderman,

Simmesport

Bienville Parish

Ralph Todd - Mayor, Jamestown

Michelle Todd Williams -

Alderwoman, Jamestown

Conley R. Bare – Alderman,

Jamestown

Jannet Wiggins - Alderwoman,

Jamestown

Bossier Parish

Wayne Cathcart – Alderman, Benton

Ronald Jones – Alderman, Benton

Jaqueline Carr – Alderman, Benton

Ronald Todd Gibson - Police Chief,

Haughton

K. W. Gaspard – Mayor, Haughton

Ronnie Murray - Police Chief, Plain

Dealing

Caddo Parish

David C. Austin, Jr. - Police Chief, Ida

Kenneth Shaw – Mayor, Ida

James Sims – Mayor, Oil City

Maquilla Frieson – Alderwoman, Oil

City

Donald Jackson – Alderman, Oil City

Levi Jones, III – Alderman, Oil City

James Clifton, Jr. – Alderman, Oil City

Cynthia P. Barkschat – Alderwoman,

Oil City

Kay McDuff – Alderman, Rodessa

Tanya Phillips – Alderwoman,

Rodessa

Dan Harville – Alderman, Rodessa

Henry B. House - Alderman,

Rodessa

Claiborne Parish

Wayne Tanner – Mayor, Lisbon

Andy Roberts - Alderman, Lisbon

Jerry W. Clements – Alderman,

Lisbon

Eric M. Gaston – Alderman, Lisbon

De Soto Parish

Judge S. Cordray, Jr. – Mayor,

Logansport

Kevin Vanzant – Mayor, South

Mansfield

Merelean M. Woods – Alderwoman,

South Mansfield

Ola Mae Evans - Alderwoman,

South Mansfield

Dianne Hudson - Alderwoman,

South Mansfield

East Baton Rouge Parish

Rowdy Gaudet - Councilman, Baton

Rouge

Chandler Loupe – Councilmember,

Baton Rouge

Evangeline Parish

Quint West – Mayor, Prairie

Page 20

LMR | FEBRUARY 2021

Municipalities

Grant Parish

Danny C. Olden - Mayor, Georgetown

Jim Bradford – Alderman,

Georgetown

Ray Williamson, Jr. – Alderman,

Georgetown

Jonathan Spurgeon – Alderman,

Georgetown

Iberia Parish

Brad M. Clifton – Mayor, Loreauville

Sandy J. Sonnier – Alderman,

Loreauville

Eric Borne – Alderman, Loreauville

Joseph D. DeCourt – Alderman,

Loreauville

Freddie Decourt – Mayor, New Iberia

Brooke Scelfo Marcotte –

Councilmember, New Iberia

David N. Broussard – Councilmember,

New Iberia

Dustin Suire – Councilmember, New

Iberia

Iberville Parish

Tommy Dardenne, III - Police Chief,

Grosse Tete

Michael Chauffe, Sr. – Mayor, Grosse

Tete

Clint Seneca – Alderman, Grosse Tete

Kenneth C. Payne - Police Chief,

Plaquemine

Jimmie Randle, Jr. – Selectman,

Plaquemine

Mike Sparks - Police Chief, Rosedale

Jackson Parish

Brandon Myers - Police Chief,

Chatham

Kelly Gryder – Mayor, Eros

Natalie Waffer – Alderwoman, Eros

Justin Webber – Alderman, Eros

April Hommett – Alderwoman, Eros

Joseph Spillers – Alderman, Eros

John David Howard –

Councilmember, Eros

Jefferson Davis Parish

Eddie B. Alfred, Jr. – Mayor, Fenton

Lawrence Mier – Alderman, Welsh

Becky Hudson – Alderman, Welsh

Lafourche Parish

Troy Dufrene - Police Chief, Golden

Meadow

Livingston Parish

Mike Fredericks – Alderman, Port

Vincent

James V. Watson – Mayor, Walker

Richard Wales – Councilman, Walker

Scarlett M. Major – Councilwoman,

Walker

David Clark – Councilman, Walker

James Eric Cook – Councilman,

Walker

Gary L. Griffin – Councilman, Walker

Madison Parish

Marvin Ashley – Mayor, Delta

Katherine Davis – Alderwoman, Delta

Stephanie Edleston – Alderman,

Delta

Pam Stokes – Alderman, Delta

Morehouse Parish

Malcolm Williams – Mayor, Oak Ridge

Raymond Speights – Alderman, Oak

Ridge

Betsy Mullins – Alderwoman, Oak

Ridge

Joel Fitch – Alderman, Oak Ridge

Pointe Coupee Parish

Landon Landry - Chief of Police,

Livonia

Rhett Pourciau – Mayor, Livonia


Red River Parish

Johnny Cox – Mayor, Coushatta

Westin Powell - Chief of Police,

Edgefield

Vince Almond – Mayor, Edgefield

David Layfield – Alderman, Edgefield

Eugene Freeman – Alderman,

Edgefield

Jack Terrell – Alderman, Edgefield

Sabine Parish

Troy H. Terrell – Mayor, Converse

Christina P. Ebarb – Councilmember,

Converse

Rodney R. Rutherford –

Councilmember, Converse

Travis Womack - Councilmember,

Converse

Amy F. Johnson – Alderman, Fisher

Johnnie Maxie – Alderman, Fisher

Edwina Thomas – Alderman, Fisher

Edward G. Arnold – Mayor, Pleasant

Hill

St. Helena Parish

Paula McNabb – Mayor, Greensburg

Aron Burton – Alderman, Greensburg

Huey B. Travis – Alderman,

Greensburg

Nicholas Carruth – Alderman,

Greensburg

Amanda Ficklin-Mixon - Mayor Pro-

Tem, Greensburg

Jo Ellen Carruth – Alderwoman,

Greensburg

St. Mary Parish

Steve Domangue – Councilmember,

Morgan City

Mark A. Stephens – Councilmember,

Morgan City

Tim Hymel – Councilmember, Morgan

City

Tangipahoa Parish

Jonathon Foster – Councilmember,

Amite City

Tensas Parish

Richard Dunmore – Alderman,

Newellton

Jerry Newman – Alderman, St.

Joseph

Carl Olds, Jr. – Alderman, St. Joseph

LaPetria Watson – Alderwoman, St.

Joseph

Theodore Jackson – Alderman, St.

Joseph

Union Parish

Ernest Coulbertson - Police Chief,

Farmerville

Daniel Rockett – Mayor, Lillie

Vermilion Parish

James Broussard - Police Chief,

Delcambre

Pam Blakely – Mayor, Delcambre

Steve Broussard – Alderman,

Delcambre

Garrett Frederick – Alderman,

Delcambre

Sarah Trahan – Councilmember,

Delcambre

Chris Esponge – Alderman,

Delcambre

Bryan Glatter – Councilman,

Delcambre

Vernon Parish

Jerry Waller - Police Chief, Anacoco

Shane Freeman - Councilmember,

Anacoco

John Guy – Councilmember, Anacoco

John Schraven – Councilmember,

Anacoco

Dale Strauser - Police Chief, Simpson

Vickie R. Standifer – Mayor, Simpson

Heather Parker – Alderwoman,

Simpson

Neil Standifer – Alderman, Simpson

Amanda Long – Alderwoman,

Simpson

Washington Parish

Gilbert Hartzog, Jr. - Police Chief,

Angie

Roxie Fornea – Mayor, Angie

Kort Pittman – Alderman, Angie

Louis Adams - Police Chief, Varnado

Paris C. Sumrall - Mayor, Varnado

Kimberly Kennedy – Alderman,

Varnado

Brian Walker – Alderman, Varnado

James L. Ezell – Alderman, Varnado

Webster Parish

Rosetta C. Harris - Police Chief,

Cullen

Kay Hallmark-Stratton – Mayor, Dixie

Inn

Donna Hoffoss - Alderwoman, Dixie

Inn

Judy McKenzie – Alderwoman, Dixie

Inn

W.C. Hirth – Mayor, Dubberly

Brent Cooley – Alderman, Dubberly

Douglas B. Culpepper – Alderman,

Dubberly

Johnny Brown – Alderman, Dubberly

Michael McCullen - Police Chief,

Sarepta

David Neal – Alderman, Sarepta

Madison C. Lay – Alderwoman,

Sarepta

Nelda Hines – Alderwoman, Sarepta

John D. Smith – Alderman, Sarepta

Michael A. Corley – Alderman,

Sarepta

Tim L. Mouser – Mayor, Shongaloo

Mary Strange – Alderwoman,

Shongaloo

Janice A. Sexton – Alderwoman,

Shongaloo

Jill Hutchinson Dick – Alderwoman,

Page 22

LMR | FEBRUARY 2021

Feature

ALWAYS ON

FOR YOU.

JOHN M. SCHRODER, SR.

Louisiana State Treasurer

LAMP, Inc. President

Louisiana local government entities trust LAMP to protect their

principal, deliver solid returns, and ensure same-day access to

their funds from anywhere. We have guided our clients through

challenging environments over the past quarter century — and

we remain ready to serve you now.

Find out how our consistent, conservative portfolio management

can help your organization navigate uncertain times.

THEODORE C. SANDERS, III

Chief Executive Officer

LAMP, Inc.

LOUISIANA ASSET MANAGEMENT POOL

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

You may incur fees associated with wires and/or ACH transactions by your bank, but there will be no fees charged from LAMP for such transactions. A ‘AAAm’

rating by S&P Global Ratings is obtained after S&P evaluates a number of factors including credit quality, market price exposure, and management. Ratings are

subject to change and do not remove credit risk. Investment involves risk including the possible loss of principal. No assurance can be given that the performance

objectives of a given strategy will be achieved. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Any financial and/or investment decision may incur losses.


N 1 9 8 9 , C L A R E N C E H A W K I N S B E C A M E T H E F I R S T A F R I C A N - A M E R I C A N E L E C T E D

I

A Y O R O F B A S T R O P A N D F I R S T A F R I C A N - A M E R I C A N L M A P R E S I D E N T

M

Celebrating Black

History Month

"Black history is American history and we should

celebrate the diverse fabric of our nation. Our strength lies

in our ability to recognize that all humans are imbued

with the same divine spirit, and our willingness to have

honest and meaningful conversations with our

neighbors."

- John Gallagher, LMA Executive Director

Shongaloo

Jeremy A. Robinson - Police Chief,

Sibley

Jimmy Williams – Mayor, Sibley

Alan Ray Myers – Councilmember,

Sibley

Richard W. Davis, Sr. –

Councilmember, Sibley

Wayne Bolton – Councilmember,

Sibley

Helen Chanler – Councilmember,

Sibley

Robert Smart – Alderman, Sibley

West Baton Rouge Parish

Richard A. Anderson - Police Chief,

Addis

David H. Toups – Mayor, Addis

Jonathan Lefeaux - Police Chief,

Brusly

Scot M. Rhodes – Mayor, Brusly

Hugh Riviere – Councilmember, Port

Allen

Garry L. Hubble – Councilmember,

Port Allen

Brandon Brown – Councilmember,

Port Allen

West Carroll Parish

James R. Smith - Police Chief, Forest

Larry L. Denmon – Mayor, Forest

Terri Jones – Alderman, Forest

Christy Kelly – Alderwoman, Forest

Jone Whorton – Alderman, Forest

West Feliciana Parish

Gigi Robertson – Alderwoman, St.

Francisville

Winn Parish

Gerry Lummus - Police Chief, Atlanta

Janet L. Finklea – Mayor, Atlanta

Pamela J. Carey - Aderwoman,

Atlanta

Joyce C. LaBaron – Alderwoman,

Atlanta

Sheryl McDaniel – Mayor, Sikes

Debra Simpson - Alderwoman, Sikes

Angella Wilson - Alderwoman, Sikes

PRESORT

STANDARD

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

BATON ROUGE, LA

PERMIT #319

Page 24

LMR | FEBRUARY 2021

LMR February 2021

Transforme seus PDFs em revista digital e aumente sua receita!

Delete template?

Save as template ?