This afternoon the St. John the Baptist Parish Council will meet to discuss and vote on one of the biggest items of the year — the 2018 annual operating budget for the parish.

Tax revenue projections are down from previous years, forcing spending cuts across every department. Our budget focuses on the day-to-day operations of parish government while still allocating money for parish infrastructure improvements.

Government facility construction, drainage system improvements, parishwide concrete and asphalt Street repair and water meter/register and software upgrades are all included in parish upgrades for next year.

• LA safe community meetings have concluded for the fifth and final round for Louisiana’s Strategic Adaptations for Future Environments.

LA Safe and parish officials wish to thank everyone who participated in these meetings. For those who were unable to attend, an online survey has been created for you to be able to provide us with your feedback.

Visit our website at sjbparish.com for more information.

• Congratulations to the Fall of 2017 Class of FastTrac graduates, who recently graduated from the FastTrac Entrepreneurial Training Program.

The ten-week course is specifically designed for business owners and consists of facilitated activities and discussions, guest speakers, networking, coaching sessions and action steps to help small business owners grow.

The program is funded through an agreement with the St. John Economic Development Department and Louisiana Economic Development Department.

• It has been an honor serving yet another year as a councilman for St. John the Baptist Parish, representing the great residents of our great parish.

2017, like every year, has had its share of challenges and hurdles but nothing our resilient parish cannot handle.

The legislative branch of your government remains committed to bringing ideas from both sides of the table to work towards a bigger, better and stronger parish.

Thank you for allowing us to serve in one of the most challenging, yet rewarding positions – Public Service.

• Last but certainly not least, on behalf of the St. John the Baptist Parish Council and Administration, I hope you and your family had a Merry Christmas and we wish you all a very Happy and Prosperous New Year.

God Bless us, and God Bless St. John!

Michael P. Wright is St. John the Baptist Parish Council District 5 representative and Council vice chairman. Contact him at District5@sjbparish.com or m.wright@sjbparish.com.