ASHLAND, LA. — The Village of Ashland closed its 2024-25 fiscal year with a combined fund balance of $30,654.20, down from $47,427.72 at the start of the year, after total disbursements exceeded revenues by $16,773.52, according to sworn financial statements filed with the Louisiana Legislative Auditor.
Mayor Terry Chesser signed the affidavit July 1, certifying the statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025. Because the village reported total revenues of $35,161.51 — below the $75,000 threshold established under state law — Ashland is not required to undergo a full audit.
The village’s general fund took in $34,561.51 in revenues while spending $51,154.87, a deficit of $16,593.36. The largest single expenditure was a $23,504 disbursement categorized as LGAP — the Louisiana Government Assistance Program — which was not included in the original budget and accounted for the majority of the general fund’s shortfall.
Excluding the LGAP payment, general fund operating expenses totaled $27,650.87, which would have resulted in a surplus against revenues received.
Revenue sources for the general fund included rent, insurance premium tax and citations at $17,395.30; governmental funds at $11,281.01; taxes at $4,424.12; permits and licenses at $1,000; and interest earned at $461.08.
On the expense side, payroll and withholdings represented the second-largest disbursement at $13,594.75, followed by utilities at $7,654.99, insurance and bonds at $3,370.81, maintenance and supplies at $2,497.08 and office expenses at $533.24.
The village also maintains a separate Community Center Fund, which began the year with a balance of $826.18, received $600 in facility rental income and spent $780.16, leaving an ending balance of $646.02. The community center generated less than half of its budgeted $1,800 in rental revenues, and neither its spring festival nor fall carnival events generated income during the fiscal year.
The village reported no liabilities and no debt at year-end. Total assets consist entirely of cash and cash equivalents — $30,008.18 in the general fund and $646.02 in the community center fund.
Statement C, which discloses compensation paid to the agency head, was filed with a zero total and a notation that the mayor does not receive compensation, benefits or other payments from village funds.
For fiscal year 2025-26, village officials have adopted a general fund operating budget projecting $31,375 in revenues and an equal amount in expenditures, with a beginning balance of $30,008.18 carried forward. The LGAP line item carries a zero allocation in the new budget. The community center fund projects $890 in revenues — primarily from facility rentals — against $890 in expenses, leaving the $646.02 balance unchanged.
Ashland is an unincorporated village in Natchitoches Parish. The notarized statement was executed before Red River Parish Notary Tresha Glover, Notary ID No. 62755.