Interim Lafayette City Marshal Michael Hill says his office is struggling financially.
Tuesday night, the City-Parish Council approved an introductory ordinance to help out the department. Final adoption of that ordinance is set for June 18, 2019.
Hill says his office has been operating at a deficit since the first of the year.
“It looked like as much as a $175,000 to $200,000 deficit was built into my budget and that has to do with my predecessor and his fight with the council,” said Hill. “So, I’m not really complaining about it.”
Hill says his office is short of funds primarily because of the reduction of court costs. In addition, the Marshal’s Office is re-paying LCG five to eight thousand dollars a month for transportation costs like repairs and fuel.
“I’ve cut costs everywhere,” said Hill. “Right down to and including not buying additional bullets.”
Hill says the additional money will help with crucial needs for his office.
“We’ve had to cut the time of my people doing the AOC show for fugitives, I’ve cut back on training expenses, critical things and I literally have no more bullets of the rifles we have in the office,” Hill said. “We can’t do that. We have to have that.”
Councilman Kenneth Boudreaux said, “This will definitely give them the level of comfort to make the year to make sure as an agency they stay sound as it relates to the legislative auditor’s office. It will also give us a snapshot of what next year’s budget is going to look like.”
Boudreaux said he’s excited to see the progress Hill has made in the Marshal’s Office and maintains the department has great officers.
“Hopefully by doing these types of measures and doing it in this way, it’s going to win back the confidence of the people,” said Boudreaux.
