December 2023

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
2023 - A Very Good Year
Can you believe it’s already
December? 2023 has flown
by, but we’re leaving the
year by looking forward, and
I’m excited by what 2024 has
in store. There are so many of
our municipal leaders doing
such incredible work, that
I think inspiration will be
leading the charge.
We’ve been working diligently
the last few months to get
our house in order. Our budget
has been a concern, so
tackling that has been a priority.
I’m happy to announce
that the board worked diligently
with John and other
LMA staff members to cut
some costs and save some
dollars. So far we’ve saved
$200,000 and we’ve even
cleared over $100,000 for
our annual convention for
the first time. Those numbers
are nothing short of a
step in the right direction,
and it now means we’ll be
in the black as an organization
for the first time in 13
years. The hope is that this is
a sign of things to come, and
that all of us, as members of
the LMA, will benefit from a
healthy budget.
For those of you already
planning ahead to our annual
Mid-Winter Conference
from the 27 - 28 of February,
we’ll be moving away from
Baton Rouge in an effort to
provide a more centralized
location. In 2024, we’ll head
to the Paragon Casino in
Marksville. We’ll be offering
more activities than in previous
years, including our new
LMA Leadership Institute
which will begin during this
conference. We’re excited
about the knowledge that
can be gained from this program,
and you can feel free
to reach out to me if you’d
Attorney General’s Opinions
Dual Officeholding
Opinion: 23-0110:The provisions
of the Dual Officeholding
and Dual Employment
Law do not prohibit a member
of the Rapides Parish
School Board from serving
as a member of the Louisiana
State Board of Dentistry. Released:
11/15/2023
Opinion: 23-0114: The provisions
of the Dual Officeholding
and Dual Employment
Law do not prohibit a
Louisiana State Senate Aide
from serving as a contract
consultant for the Louisiana
Airport Managers and Associates.
Released: 11/6/2023
Legislative Charters
Opinion: 23-0099: The
amendment to the City of
St. Martinville’s Legislative
Charter is consistent with the
constitutions and laws of the
United States and Louisiana.
Released: 11/6/2023
Opinion: 23-0103: The
amendment to the City of
St. Plaquemine’s Legislative
Charter is consistent with the
constitutions and laws of the
United States and Louisiana.
Released: 11/6/2023
Coroner’s Fees
Opinion: 23-0040A: Because
disposition of human
like further information. I’m
looking forward to seeing
many of you and connecting
with you. So, if you’ve got
something on your mind, I’d
like to hear it. Your support
in my role as LMA President
means the world to me, so
doing right by you is of the
utmost importance.
Governor-elect Jeff Landry
recently announced his Local
and Municipal Government
Transition Team, and
it’s an honor to be included
in what I feel is a very prestigious
group. I’m looking
forward to assisting with a
smooth transition and to
sharing my insight and perspective
from the view of a
small town mayor. Too often
our smaller communities are
left out or overshadowed in
crucial and critical conversations,
so speaking out on
behalf of so many smaller
remains (i.e., cremation) is
not part of a coroner’s investigation,
the costs incurred
by coroners for authorizing
cremations is not part of the
costs of a coroner’s investigation.
The costs of cremation
permits are operational
expenses of coroners’ offices
for which relevant local governments
are responsible.
Released: 10/27/2023
Firefighter Vacation Leave
Opinion: 23-0067: The population
requirements of La.
R.S. 33:1961 do not apply to
La. R.S. 33:1996; recalling, to
the extent inconsistent with
this opinion, La. Atty. Gen.
Derrick Johnson, Sr.
LMA President
Cheneyville
municipalities is a privilege
I’m not taking lightly.
In closing, I hope everyone
has a wonderful holiday season.
It’s such a special time
of year, and I’m looking forward
to some quality time
spent with my family and
friends. I wish you all the
merriest Christmas possible,
and I’ll see you next year!
Jeff Landry
Attorney General
Op. Nos. 78-4, 78-4A, 78-66,
78-259, 88-42, 00-266, 00-
370, 09-0224, 12-0063. Released:
10/26/2023
LMR | DECEMBER 2023 Page 5