Town attorney urges Cullen aldermen to consider consenting to state fiscal administration

Town attorney Josh Chevalier told residents that the council was being asked to consider a resolution consenting to state fiscal administration to address the town's financial troubles. Chevalier said the mechanism gives a trained CPA fiscal administrator broad authority over town finances and staff: "There's a resolution that was on your agenda for consideration tonight for approval, by the alderman to consider consent to a cooperation with the state attorney general to consent to fiscal independent fiscal administration to be appointed to, provide financial assistance to the town." (Josh Chevalier, town attorney.)

Chevalier explained that consent shortens the process and would make the town eligible to seek bridge loans or bond-commission support, but he cautioned that a fiscal administrator would act with autonomy and could make painful service or staffing changes. He cited statutory language as discussed at the meeting: "title 39 Louisiana revised statute title 39 13 51," and said if the council did not consent the state could still pursue appointment through a court process in Webster Parish. The mayor and several residents said they prefer to secure state help quickly to restore services; however, the council did not have a quorum at the meeting and did not take a formal vote. The mayor said she would try to schedule another meeting and ask aldermen to attend so the board could consider a unanimous consent resolution before the administrator's Sept. 1 availability.