LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / November 10, 1999

CONVENT – With Kaiser union workers still on strike and threats of layoffs in other industries, St. James Parish President Dale Hymel Jr.announced a “standstill” budget at the Nov. 3 meeting of the St. JamesParish Council.

With $4 million in capital projects planned, including a new west bank library building, no new projects are on the drawing board pending settlement of the Kaiser strike and a more stable economic environment.

The Parish Council is anticipated to hold two public hearings prior to a vote on the 2000 budget.

At the root of the budget standstill is the sales tax picture, where 1999 sales tax receipts are anticipated to close out $1.4 million less than1998’s receipts.

Hymel plans $23.2 million in total capital and operating expenditures for2000, an increase of $2.32 million, or 11.1 percent more than 1999. Thisis matched by $24.9 million in revenues, a 4.4 percent increase over 1998.The $1.61 million library project is one badly needed for the west bank,Hymel pointed out, due to the increased use of library facilities and the need for more governmental office space in Vacherie.

The new library will be located on land already owned by the parish, immediately next to the present west bank annex on the side nearest the river.

At present, Hymel added, the library is housed along with governmental offices, a sheriff’s substation and a west bank council meeting room.

“It’s always been small,” Hymel pointed out, adding the library’s programs often have to spill over into the council meeting room, especially the Summer Reading Program. “It’s not functional anymore.”Internet use by library patrons, averaging 350 users per month, has also strained resources and space, Hymel continued, and the budget also includes new workstations and software along with an Internet upgrade, all due to cost $90,000.

He said he hopes to go out for bids in March and have the new library open by the end of next year, paid for by existing surpluses with no new taxes.

In the next three months, Hymel said, he is also hoping to see the completion of the new St. James Parish Welcome Center at theintersection of Airline Highway and Louisiana Highway 641.

The land and the historic house were both donated, and the site is being completed at a total cost of $250,000, $145,500 of which is in the 2000 budget.

Another major concern is the solid waste and recyclable disposal contract with Waste Management Inc., which expires in September 2000. The 1999contract was $1 million, and Hymel anticipates the next contract to cost the parish $1.3 million.Other major capital expenditures included in the 2000 budget are $993,000 to complete the Vacherie Canal backwater structure, $390,000 to upgrade the parish’s 9-1-1 system and $10,800 for new radios and upgrades to the outdoor warning system.

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