LMR-October_PROOF6

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Rural Development COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ENDEAVORS ARE VITAL TO GROW AND SUSTAIN RURAL AREAS BY LEE A. JONES, ACTING STATE DIRECTOR, USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT, LOUISIANA Many rural communities throughout the state are struggling to survive. These difficulties might include responding to high poverty rates, attracting and retaining jobs, quality housing, and access to affordable food, new capital, and new business. USDA Rural Development (RD) programs can help fund rural projects with a focus on quality of life, economic development, workforce, and innovation. To ensure that rural residents enjoy the same basic quality of life services enjoyed by those in urban areas, a vibrant community must have essential resources and facilities for utilities, telecommunications, community facilities, and business development – especially in underserved and economically distressed areas. RD Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program can provide funding to develop essential facilities in rural areas, villages, and towns with no more than 20,000 residents according to the latest U.S. Census Data. Funding is available to public bodies, community-based non-profit corporations, and federally recognized tribes. RD leverages funding with other public and private credit sources to meet business and credit needs in underserved areas. In your community, are you experiencing an upturn in drug abuse and addiction? Did you know that RD has programs for construction of treatment facilities, telemedicine, and transitional housing to help with opioid addiction? Are you one of those small towns in need of modernized facilities? RD funds can help with constructing hospitals, schools, fire and police stations, building or renovating public facilities such as town halls, courthouses, or street improvements, and expanding food banks, farmers markets, and so much more. Do you have internet access in your town? Connection to modern technology is vital for rural schools, households, and businesses. Making long-term investments in your community will help to ensure that rural areas throughout the state are self-sustaining, repopulating, and thriving economically. RD programs and services are critical for the survival of small municipalities. As leaders and citizens, your leadership and guidance for community improvement is imperative. Let us know what your challenges are and we can collaborate with you to develop and improve your communities. For more information, visit www.rd.usda. gov/la or contact RD field staff in the Area Offices. RD Area Offices are located in Monroe (318) 343-4467, Natchitoches (318) 352-7100, Lafayette (337) 262-6601, and Amite (985) 748-8751. For further direction, call the State Office at (318) 473-7920. RD launched RD Apply, a system that allows customers to submit applications online for loans and grants. Details: For more information about this message and USDA Rural Development programs and initiatives, contact Karen Lawson, Public Affairs Specialist, USDA RD Louisiana State Office, (318) 473-7917, karen.lawson@ la.usda.gov. Looking for Salary Data? Through a partnership with SurveyNavigator, LMA members can find salary data for more than 60 jobs commonly found in Louisiana local government. With an easy online interface, Louisiana’s elected and appointed officials can make hiring and advancement decisions with confidence in the most current and accurate data Compare directly between munis Accurate and timely info Customized search and save available in the market. LaMATS CALL (225) 344-5001 or VISIT WWW.LAMATS.NET/SERVICES Page 14 LMR | October 2017
Partner Insight Treasury Notes ESTABLISHING THE KEVIN P. REILLY SR. LOUISIANA EDUCATION QUALITY TRUST FUND ONE OF SMARTEST MOVES STATE EVER MADE BY RON HENSON, STATE TREASURER Over the past decade, higher education institutions have felt the sting of repeated budget cuts to the tune of $82 million in overall funding. Louisiana’s universities and community colleges continue to take a beating when the state seeks out the money it needs to fill budget holes. If education were truly a priority for our state, we would “put our money where our mouth is” by enacting measures that ensure education funding is protected. Louisiana voters did this in 1986 when they approved a constitutional amendment establishing the Kevin P. Reilly Sr. Louisiana Education Quality Trust Fund (LEQTF). It’s hard to believe that more than 30 years have passed since the creation of the trust fund, and it’s still one of the smartest moves the state ever made for education. The LEQTF was established with a $641 million settlement with the federal government over oil and gas revenues. Instead of using the windfall to fund current operating expenses, the state put $541 million away into a trust fund for education. The LEQTF was the brainchild of my friend, the late Kevin P. Reilly, Sr., who spearheaded the legislation that led to its creation. Kevin was a former legislator and lifelong proponent of education. His legislation permanently dedicated the proceeds from the oil and gas settlement with the federal government to benefit students in elementary, secondary and higher education. In 2013, lawmakers renamed the LEQTF in his honor. The State Treasury has unique oversight of the LEQTF, and we work to preserve the fund’s capital, enhance its market value, and provide a stable income stream. The three major sources of income for the trust fund are investments, capital gains/losses and royalties. For FY 2016, total income from all sources equaled $81.75 million. Annual earnings on LEQTF investments are allocated pursuant to Act 698 of the 2001 Regular Legislative Session and then split between the Board of Regents for higher education and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) for students in K-12. For the 2016 Fiscal Year, the fund allocated $21.61 million to Regents and $21.55 million to BESE. Over the life of the LEQTF, these two agencies have received $1.635 billion in total allocations. There are internal and legislative benchmarks the Treasury strives to meet when it comes to the investment of LEQTF dollars. The fund’s total rate of return during FY 2016 was 5.47 percent, which beat legislative benchmarks of the 30-day Treasury Bill which earned 0.11 percent, and the Two-year Treasury Note, which earned 1.25 percent. Fixed income investments earned a total rate of return of 5.44 percent during this time, beating the Barclays Government/Credit bond benchmark, which earned 4.33 percent. Equity investments earned a whopping 20.74 percent, beating the S&P 500, which earned 3.99 percent. Investment income generated by the LEQTF is dedicated to providing educational enrichment programs. BESE and Regents use the money earned on LEQTF investments to fund research projects, grant proposals and other educational enhancements. Because of the LEQTF, BESE has been able to dedicate millions for pre-K programs, teacher certifications, and virtual/state-wide distance learning. Regents has been able to fund graduate fellowships, scholarships and research projects. Because of continued budget cuts across education, many of these programs would fall by the wayside without the LEQTF. The LEQTF, along with TOPS and the START 529 College Savings program, is one of a handful of programs in Louisiana that gets it right when it comes to prioritizing education. Louisiana leaders should continue to support programs like these that demonstrate our state’s commitment to education and protect much-needed funding for students of all ages. LMR | October 2017 Page 15
Page 1 and 2: Louisiana Municipal Review PUBLISHE
Page 3 and 4: Director’s Viewpoint Inside the L
Page 5 and 6: Inside the LMA Governor’s Column
Page 7 and 8: Inside the LMA Attorney General’s
Page 9 and 10: Inside the LMA Employee Spotlight W
Page 11 and 12: You Are Under Arrest! BY JERRY CRON
Page 13: Partner Insight New Opioid Fighting
Page 17 and 18: Municipalities City of Zachary Cont
Page 19 and 20: Municipalities LFCA President Takes
Page 21 and 22: Cover Story Operation Give Back BY
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