Abbeville's budget includes projects, raises for all city employees

Abbeville citizens will see several projects around the city during the new year, thanks to a budget passed last week.
The Abbeville City Council voted 5-0 during last Tuesday’s meeting to accept the budget for 2015. The budget exceeds $25 million, with the day-to-day operating portion around $9 million.
“We have proposed a balanced budget,” Abbeville Mayor Mark Piazza said Friday. “Thanks to the hard work and efforts of the finance committee, chaired by (Councilman) Francis Touchet, as well as our city auditor, Steven Moosa, we were able to put together this budget.”
Those who work for the city will see a financial boost as part of the plan.
“It does include raises for all city employees,” Piazza said.
Members of the Abbeville police and fire departments will receive a two-percent raise. Employees on the municipal side will each see an increase of 50 cents.
“The budget this year includes numerous infrastructure improvement and utility upgrades,” Piazza said.
Among the projects is the on-going painting of the city’s two water towers, at $200,000.
Work on the creation of the DOTD tourist information center, which will be located in the old library building near Magdalen Square, will begin this year. The city will put up $65,000 for the project, coupled with a $250,000 state grant.
Phase two of the skate board facility, located at A.A. Comeaux Park, will take place this year. The project will be split between the city putting up $20,000 and the Abbeville Rotary Club matching.
The city will also purchase a new bucket truck for the electrical department. The city originally budgeted $130,000 for the vehicle. The council received some good news Tuesday when the bid for the truck came in at $105,000.
“We also have a grant application for improvements to the airport hanger at $175,000,” Piazza said of the facility at the Chris Crusta Memorial Airport.
The budget will bring new computers to city hall. That will be a $30,000 price tag.
The police department will receive five new vehicles, at a total cost of $150,000.
A new entrance sign will welcome visitors into the city. Guests at A.A. Comeaux Park will see improvements to restrooms and concession stands.
“We are continuing the progress from this year of extending sewer lines on Coulee Kinney Road,” Piazza said. “We are also getting a new generator for the sewer plant.”
The city will complete the upgrades at the Pete Noel electrical substation, the city’s main power station. The budget will also feature utility and infrastructure installation for the new Plantation Ridge subdivision.
“It doesn’t have a lot of room for leeway,” Piazza said of the budget. “We are going to have to manage the budget very carefully during the course of the year. We will have to limit overtime in all departments, something we have done already in recent years.”
Keeping insurance claims at a minimum is of great importance, too.
“We have implemented a safety program that is aimed to help reduce workers’ comp claims,” Piazza said. “We’ve been able to keep all insurances at an affordable level.
“We hope to continue to do that in the future.”
Councilman Brady Broussard Jr., District C, said he is pleased with what the budget provides, especially what it gives the workers.
“The fact that we can hold the line on expenditures,” Broussard said, “and still give these hard-working employees a raise is wonderful.”
Touchet said he certainly likes where the city currently stands.
“We should be thankful for what is happening with our budget,” Touchet said. “Five or six years ago, we were really crunching numbers and worrying about things.
“We had to really strap down and right now we are in good shape.”
Sandra Marant, who attended Tuesday’s meeting, said she is impressed with how the budget came together.
“I am very proud to live in a city where the officials cooperate so well and it ends up with a balanced budget in these extremely difficult financial times,” Marant said. “I am very proud to say that I am an Abbevilleian.”
Piazza said the budget simply reflects the citizens receiving a return on what they invest into the city.
“It’s a lot of projects,” Piazza said. “We feel good that the citizens’ sales tax dollars are being put to good use to help the city grow and prosper.”