The City of Natchitoches introduced an ordinance at its Jan. 8 meeting to designate funds from the American Rescue Plan to fund the cost of juvenile housing at detention centers. The total amount of $180,000 to fund government services that may have seen a shortfall of revenue funding them due to the COVI-19 pandemic, including but not limited to, funding projects up to the amount the City’s revenue loss.
As of the last week of April, historically speaking, the parish had absorbed the cost of the juvenile expenses for housing at detention centers. The City started incurring the fees and during the July session the fees from Ware increased from $110 a day to $310 a day. The Police Department has even transported juveniles to detention centers in Mississippi to save $170 versus the $310. There’s a location in Louisiana that charges $175 a day.
As of Jan. 1 the City has expended $168,497. Eighty-three percent of that was for juveniles, a total of $139,915. Looking at additional expenditures over the next 6 months this funding would give the City to house these juveniles. These juveniles are often released back to their parents due to a lack of housing.
The City has to house these juveniles as, according to councilwoman at large Betty Smith, “The juvenile crime rate has pretty much tripled here. That’s everyone’s concern right now. We’re hoping that this new administration will be able to get a new facility here in Natchitoches.”
Agenda items included:
PROCLAMATIONS:
Declare Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
PLANNING & ZONING – FINAL:
Amend Ordinance No. 64 Of 2001 By Changing Zoning Classification Of Property Described As Follows: To rezone the following: Lot 8 Resubdivision of Lot “C” and a Portion of Lot “D” of Monroe’s Sibley Lake Subdivision. (162 Johnson Lane.)
ORDINANCES – FINAL:
Award The Bid For Love Louisiana Outdoors Project – Professor F.M. Richardson Park Improvements (Bid No. 0664)
Approve A Memorandum Of Cooperative Endeavor Between The City Of Natchitoches, The Red River Waterway Commission And The Natchitoches Convention & Visitors Bureau To Promote The Use Of The Red River For The Kingkat Fishing Tournament.
Enter Into And Execute A Supplemental Agreement With Union Pacific Railroad Company In Order To Supplement An Existing Lease Of Property Within The Right Of Way Of The Union Pacific Railroad Company, To Provide For Advertising, And A Savings Clause.
ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION:
Award The Bid Consisting Of Ag Ramp/Wash Rack Airport Improvement, State Project No. H. 015663 (Bid No. 0665)
Designate Funds From The American Rescue Plan For Use By The City Of Natchitoches To Provide Funding For The Cost Of Juvenile Housing; Authorizing The Execution Of Any And All Documents, Contracts And/Or Agreements; And Otherwise Providing With Respect Thereto.
RESOLUTIONS:
Execute An Agreement With The Louisiana Department Of Transportation And Development (LA DOTD) For Improvements At The Natchitoches Regional Airport. Agricultural Ramp/Wash Rack
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The next scheduled City Council meeting will be Monday, Jan. 22, 2024.
The City of Natchitoches offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.