On Wednesday, September 12, the Lake Charles City Council voted unanimously to approve the 2017–2018 Operating and Capital Budget. The vote follows two public hearings during which residents were invited to make comments and ask questions, and it marks the first time in four years the budget was approved by all seven council members.

Mayor Nic Hunter stated, “The proposed operating budget is a balanced budget based on current revenue projections of $75.7 million and operational expenses estimated at $75.2 million. I’m happy to report that we’ve increased funding for drainage improvements by 78 percent, as well as budgeted for several new initiatives such as attainable housing, a possible Satellite SEED Center in North Lake Charles, and a program to address juvenile crime.”

Sales tax revenue accounts for 66 percent of all General Fund revenue and is proposed to increase by two percent over the current year’s projections. General Fund expenditures of $75.2 million represent an increase of 3.3 percent over the previous year’s adopted budget. Public safety expenses for the Fire and Police Departments make up 54 percent of the budget; Public Works Departmental expenses account for an additional 25.7 percent. 

The proposed 2017-2018 Operating and Capital Budget was first made available to the public on August 15. An electronic copy was posted to the City’s website at www.cityoflakecharles.com and hard copies were made available in the Office of the Mayor on the 10th floor of City Hall, 326 Pujo St.; and the following Calcasieu Parish libraries: Epps Branch, 1320 N. Simmons St.; Carnegie Memorial Branch, 411 Pujo St.; and Central Library, located at the intersection of Ernest St. and West Claude St.

Budget presentations were made during two public hearings on September 6 and September 12 in the Lake Charles City Council Chambers. The budget presentation was filmed and posted online for the first time this year in order to increase public interaction. During both hearings, the public was invited to make comments and ask questions. The public hearing (originally scheduled for August 29) was cancelled due to Hurricane Harvey.

Mayor Hunter and Finance Director Karen Harrell invited the public to make suggestions on the budget and how it can be more accessible to the public in the future. “I have an open door policy and welcome the public’s ideas on how to create a more efficient budget that works for everyone. I am happy to sit down any time with anyone in this city to discuss our budget,” stated Hunter.  

For more information on the City’s Operating and Capital Budget, please call 491-1251 or visit www.cityoflakecharles.com.