By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

VACHERIE – As members of the St. James Parish Council examined the proposed 2013 budget at a special meeting Monday evening, the issue of mosquito control, particularly its absence from the general fund ledger, raised some questions from council members.

In an effort to reduce expenditures in the general fund, the parish Finance Department, led by Finance Director Chantal Waguespack, moved mosquito control to the “solid waste collection” portion of the budget. A new waste collection contract saved the parish more than $200,000, but Council Chairman James Brazan wanted the council to consider alternate plans for the savings.

“I think there’s a lot of things we could fund besides mosquito control,” he said. “If the people want mosquito control, they can pay for it.”

A survey was sent to parish residents over the weekend asking them to choose a service they feel is most important. The choices were hurricane protection, mosquito control, animal control, recycling, sewage and other. As of Monday, mosquito control and hurricane protection had received the most votes.

If mosquito control comes out as the most desired option, parish government is proposing adding $1.50 to monthly utility bills to pay for it, but that matter would likely go to the voters before being implemented.

“I think the council wants (mosquito control), and they’re pushing it on the people,” said Brazan, who added, “Once you give something and put it out there, it’s hard to take it back.”

Brazan also asked why the installation of a computerized time system for parish employees was not it the 2013 budget.

“We had discussions,” he said. “We’d definitely like to see some idea of what that would take.”

Waguespack said it had not been included in the proposed budget because no dollar amount had been provided.

Brazan said he would like to see such a system installed because besides the accuracy inherent in the system, it could save time when it comes to preparing payroll checks.

“I have it in my business,” he said. “It just seems like that’s where we should be in this day and age.”

A second public hearing on the budget will be held in December on the east bank before the council votes on it.