December 2023

More documents

Recommendations

Info

just turned two years old, but it’s a five-year program, so for the next few years you’re going to continue to have unprecedented investments in all types of infrastructure to include water and sewer; to include roads, bridges, and highways - broadband, you name it - lead pipes. So just making sure that you are plugged into the LMA is paramount. That you’re reading those emails, you’re reading those newsletters – so that you know how to take advantage of the funding we have made available specifically for these purposes. I mean, I think that is critically important. Louisiana’s small towns and villages in particular are always struggling with not having enough in terms of infrastructure, or with their diminishing populations, among other factors. Their needs are often overshadowed by the needs and voices of larger, better-funded municipalities. How can they interact with state government to feel more supported? One way is something I mentioned earlier. You can have the mayors of these small villages and towns come together and ask their legislators for a meeting to talk about whatever issue may be important to them. It may be addressing crime. It may be some infrastructure or economic development issue. They may be worried about a hospital staying open, or they may need a hospital or different medical service. If you’ve got a village of, let’s say 300 people, that’s very significant. But if you’ve now got four mayors together, all of a sudden you may have 3500 people, and you’re going to get a better reception and more time and opportunities to express yourself. And then after you meet with your legislators, ask them to arrange a meeting with the governor, the Division of Administration, or with the cabinet secretaries – it depends on what the issue is. So, joining together, I think, really does help. Also, quite often the mayors of these municipalities know what the state government is looking for. So, for example, you may have several small villages in close proximity to one another. There may be funding available to consolidate their water or sewer systems, and they may be successful if they agree to consolidation, whereas they may not be successful if they apply individually. On top of that, it’s going to be very important that if the state or federal government, and oftentimes it’s both, invest in a municipality, let’s say it’s a water system that’s going to be several million dollars, they know that there is going to be a viable effort made to pay to maintain that system once it’s put in. That requires things that can be very difficult. For example, the water rates may have to go up in order to properly maintain the system, which may be a requirement of actually getting the funding in the first place. But that’s something they can do, and I understand how hard that is, trust me, I do. But at the end of the day, we’ve got a lot of infrastructure out there that is really old, and it is failing. We’re investing more than we ever have to try and replace it, but the municipalities that are doing the types of things I’m talking about are the ones who seem to be getting more of those opportunities. So, I would just put that out there for consideration. As this administration comes to a close, what is it you feel municipalities still don’t know that could work in their favor if they did? You know, Charlotte, I guess I would refer to all the things that I have said. But I do want them to know that their voice is very powerful, but they have to show up to be heard, so show up in numbers. When they and their colleagues from other municipalities across the state are saying the same thing, it really has a tremendous and positive impact on decision-makers. So, I would just ask them not to lose sight of that. I always look at local government leaders as my partners in serving the State of Louisiana because every constituent of a mayor – every constituent of a town council person, for example – is also a constituent of the governor. You know, if you show up, and you’ve got a good idea about how the governor, or how the legislature, can better serve your municipality, Page 12 LMR | DECEMBER 2023
then you are working in partnership with those people so they can be better public servants themselves. So, that’s something we also take very seriously. As often as possible, when you have an issue, come with something you believe is a solution as well. Put both of those things before the decision-maker, and I think you’ll see a lot more success. And then lastly, because I know that some members are more active than others in coming to meetings and going to conferences – and by the way, Charlotte, I’ve always enjoyed speaking at the LMA conferences, so I thank you all at the LMA for that – but some are more active than others. I just want to say on the record that John Gallagher and his staff at the LMA do a wonderful job representing the interests of all of the municipalities across this state. And they do a good job at maintaining a good relationship with me, the governors before me, and I assume the governors that are going to come after me, and also in working where they can with other local governmental organizations. John and his staff are really, really good. And I say that because there may be some members, especially newly elected members, who just don’t have the visibility within the LMA. From my perspective, use the LMA as a resource, because John Gallagher is among the best who actually work in the State Capitol, advancing the interests of his organization. And finally, Governor Edwards, as it’s nearing Christmas, what would be your Christmas wish for both the LMA and our many Louisiana local governments? My Christmas wish is really that our state continues to move forward and continues to make progress. I am genuinely inspired by the goodness and the decency of the people of Louisiana, and their resilience in the face of challenge after challenge. And yet despite all of that, all the challenges, we’re going to close this year out with the lowest unemployment rate ever measured, more money in our banks than ever before, and we have an economic development forecast that’s one of the rosiest ever. We’re going forward with tens of billions of dollars in projects that are going to have a positive impact all over the State of Louisiana. So, let’s remember over the holiday period, which is also as I’m closing out my term as governor, to be thankful. But to also be more resolute and determined to continue to work together and make a positive difference. That would be my Christmas wish to the LMA and its member municipalities. On behalf of the Louisiana Municipal Association, we thank Governor Edwards for his candor and his time. Inauguration Flags Needed Governor-Elect Jeff Landry’s inauguration planning team is seeking assistance in procuring the use of American flags for his inauguration ceremony on January 8. Municipalities are invited to loan flags and flagpoles to be used for decor for the occasion. Here are the instructions for those who wish to participate: Flagpole dimensions: 1.5” inches x 21 ft. Flag dimensions: 3 ft x 5 ft. All flags and flagpoles must be dropped off at the grounds of the Capitol building by December 29 at noon. Please label all flags with the name and phone number of your municipality. Following the ceremony, municipalities may pick up flags and flagpoles on January 10 at the Capitol. If you have any questions, or want to participate in the inauguration through flag and flagpole donations, please email Keli Ourso at keli@oursoconsulting.com. LMR | DECEMBER 2023 Page 13
Page 1 and 2: 12.23 Louisiana MUNICIPAL REVIEW VO
Page 3 and 4: LMR | DECEMBER 2023 Page 3
Page 5 and 6: PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 2023 - A Very
Page 7 and 8: ALWAYS ON FOR YOU. JOHN M. SCHRODER
Page 9 and 10: A Fourth Floor Retrospective with G
Page 11: I’d have to say to do your very b
Page 15 and 16: happen. It would have been disappoi
Page 17 and 18: we needed to do; to look out at the
Page 19 and 20: REFUSE TO SURRENDER How an Underdog
Page 21 and 22: LEGAL BRIEFS Capital Confusion The
Page 23 and 24: LMR | DECEMBER 2023 Page 23
Page 25 and 26: ment to the success of this program
Page 27 and 28: “Contributions to retirement plan
Page 29 and 30: LOUISIANA MUNICIPAL CLERKS ASSOCIAT
Page 31 and 32: LOUISIANA ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF

December 2023

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?