At its April 28 meeting, the Natchitoches City Council voted to adopt the municipal budget for the fiscal year beginning June 1, 2025, through May 31, 2026. The motion to adopt passed by a narrow 3-2 vote, with Council members Eli, Harrington, and Petite voting in favor, while Nielsen and Smith voted against.

The final approval followed extended discussion and public comments centered on the salary adjustment of a grant writer position, now titled “Grant Writer and Community Outreach Coordinator.” The position’s compensation was increased from $55,000 to $75,000 annually due to the role’s change from part-time (approximately 32 hours per week) to full-time status (40 hours per week). City administrators emphasized that the pay bump is proportionate to the additional hours and does not represent a raise beyond what is typical when transitioning to full-time.

Despite the clarification, Council members Nielsen and Smith expressed concerns about the structure and justification for the salary. Smith proposed keeping the salary at $55,000, suggesting the duties could be managed without increasing the cost to the city. However, city officials countered that the responsibilities of the position had expanded to include direct community engagement, administration of grants requiring public involvement, and management of programs like the “Strengthening Families” initiative.

City staff and public speakers defended the workload and performance of the current employee in the role. One speaker noted that some professional grant writers charge a percentage of awarded funds, and the city is getting a good value by paying a flat salary.

The adopted budget includes funding for infrastructure improvements, including $200,000 allocated for water line replacements, street enhancements, and continued work on the city’s water treatment plant. 

There was also brief discussion about the possibility of revisiting aspects of the budget before the end of May if necessary. The final budget must be in place by the beginning of the new fiscal year to avoid operating under the previous year’s appropriations.

The next council meeting, which will serve as a final opportunity to make adjustments if needed, is scheduled for Tuesday, May 27, due to the Memorial Day holiday on May 26.

Other agenda items included:

Declare The Month Of May 2025 As Building Safety Building Safety Month In The City Of Natchitoches.

PLANNING & ZONING – FINAL:

Amend Ordinance No. 64 Of 2001 By Changing Zoning Classification Of Property Described As Follows: Tract 1 (0.253 Acre) Shown on a Plat by Brandon C. Thornton, Dated June 24, 2024 Recorded at Map Slide 886-A (524 Front St.) Natchitoches Picnic Company

ORDINANCES – FINAL:

Declare Certain Buildings Unsafe And Recommending That Same Be Demolished Or Put Into Repair To Comply With The Building Code, Authorizing Notice To Be Served, Fixing Hearing Date And Appointing Curator To Represent Absentees.

Provide For Sale Of Adjudicated Properties; And, Further Providing With Respect Thereto.

FAILED: Amend The Personnel Policies Manual To Alter The Organizational Chart Of The City Of Natchitoches To Relocate Main Street From Finance To Community Development, Providing For Advertising, Further Providing For Severability, And Further Providing For A Repealer And Effective Date Of Ordinance. (Petite: Yes, All Other Council Members: No)

Rename West Third Street As Miss Moffett Way, Providing For A Public Hearing, Providing For An Effective Date Of The Ordinance, Providing For Procedure In Remarking Street, And Providing For Designation Of Name Change On Public Records.

FAILED: Rename Amulet Street As Amulet Street, Joe Dumars Lane, Providing For A Public Hearing, Providing For An Effective Date Of The Ordinance, Providing For Procedure In Remarking Street, And Providing For Designation Of Name Change On Public Records.

ORDINANCES – INTRODUCTION:

Award The Bid For FY 2023 LCDBG Street Improvements to portions of the following streets: Ouida, Brahma, Myrtle, and Virginia)(Bid No. 0671) to Regional Construction

RESOLUTIONS:

Advertise And Accept Bids For South Williams Avenue Water Line Project (Bid No. 0675)

Confirm The Appointment Of Tim Tousek As The Utility Director For The City Of Natchitoches Beginning June 1, 2025

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The next scheduled City Council meeting will be May 12, 2025.