Council approves budget rollover amendment and a one-year lease for workforce development space

Finance Director Mr. Dusum presented the first budget amendment of the year, describing it as a rollover that re-applies unspent 2025 project funds into 2026. The amendment added $17,205,154 in revenues and transfers and adjusted consolidated governmental expenditures (including transfers) to $80,338,499 to align 2026 beginning balances with 2025 final balances. Dusum said the amendment is a technical true-up to continue projects that were not completed in 2025. "This is, as stated, our 1st budget amendment of the year, which is our true up or rollover amendment," he said.

The council discussed millage context and the presence of grant funding that inflates budget totals; members emphasized the amendment does not impose new taxes. The council voted to approve the amendment unanimously.

Separately, the council considered an amended lease between DJV LLC and Saint Charles Parish for workspace used by the River Parishes Workforce Development Board, clarifying the current lease had been operating month-to-month since the prior contract expired. Legal counsel (Mister Oub) explained the amendment corrects prior dates and is not a substantial change; the one-year lease term will commence Aug. 1, 2026 and expire July 31, 2027. The council approved the amendment and ordinance unanimously.