Allen Letter To Thompson

DONALD J. ALLEN
June 27,2012

Mayor Leslie Thompson
128 Allen Ave
Jonesboro, LA 71251

RE: 2012-2013 Town Budget
Dear Mayor Thompson,

At the June 12th town council meeting I asked David J. Dill for a copy of the upcoming 2012-2013 budget, he in turn gave me a copy of Ordinance #706, the 2011-2012 Budget Ordinance. The next day I went back to City Hall and asked for a copy of the 2012-2013 Budget and received a copy of the 2012-2013 Budget Ordinance #709.

On Friday, June 22, I again visited City Hall and asked for a copy of the proposed 2012-2013 Budget and was asked if I wanted a copy of the 2012-2013 Budget Ordinance #709, I replied no I wanted a copy of the proposed 2012-2013 Budget with all the financial information associated with a budget, David Dill was paged to respond to my request.

Assistant David Dill did not know what I was talking about and suggested I ask Melba. Upon knocking on Melba’s door, Councilman Flowers came out of her office and indicated she was on a conference call and asked if he could help. Explaining to he and David what I wanted, David and Councilman Flowers said they had not seen that document and then referred me to Melba who was still on a conference call. I requested they have her call me when she finished the call, to which they agreed. I guess that call is ongoing as I have not heard from her.

Please see the following information:

According to LA Revised Statute 39:1305, 1306, 1307 and 1308 (a copy of each is attached) the duties, scope and presentation of the annual budget for the town is specified. I have highlighted several items for you to review. You complied with only one part of the budget process, and that is described under Revised Statute 39:1305, Section ‘D’, which addresses the appropriation ordinance, this you have done through Ordinance #709.

Revised Statute 39:1305

Section “A” calls for a “comprehensive budget” of which we have not seen. No budget has been prepared, so no budget has been offered.

Section “B” calls for “the chief executive” to prepare the budget, apparently this has not been done.

Section “C(2)(a)” calls for specific information to be included in the budget document. The budget has not been done so this of course has not been done.

Revised Statute 39:1306

Section “A” calls for submission and made available for public inspection 15 days prior to the beginning of the fiscal year. There is no budget so there has been no public inspection.

Revised Statute 39:1 307

Section “A” shall afford the public opportunity to participate prior to adoption of the budget. There is no budget so there has been no public participation.

Section “B” calls for at least ten days notice prior to public hearing. There is no budget so the notice presented by city hall is moot.

Revised Statute 39:1308

Section “A(l)” states where inspection of the budget will be made available. As indicated, attempts were made to inspect the budget but it was unavailable since it was not prepared per required statute.

The meeting of June 25 at 11:30 a.m. was a mockery of the bud get process and this legislation by any standard. Opening a public meeting and then leaving the room is as unprofessional a move as has ever been perpetrated on the public. After a 30 minute departure you re-enter the room and immediately re-write the Budget Ordinance without public participation. This act is equal to “dictatorship” of the town and its finances.

Revised Statute 39:1310 deals with amending the budget, even if it is less than 30 seconds old, and the procedures involved but since RS 39:1305, 1306, 1307 and 1308 have been ignored why should RS 39:1310 and 1311 be any different.

It is terribly disturbing that some of the Councilman were ready and eager to vote for your changes without question. I wonder if they had prior knowledge of what was taking place.

The public has dire concerns about the way the town is being administered. The public is devastated over the dismantling of the police department. Never in the history of Jonesboro has there been so much uneasiness from the public in the ability of the town to serve its inhabitants and businesses.

I do hope you take the law seriously. Every elected official is expected to perform their duties according to law. Statutes were written to direct the preparation, inspection and implementation of a budget and they are not hollow words but have substance. They are written to protect you the elected official but also to protect the public.

This letter is written to ask that the statutes are followed and that the public is informed and made a part of the process of running the Town of Jonesboro. I herewith request that a “2012-201 3 Proposed Budget” be presented and advertised and a time for legitimate public comment held.

I look forward to you stepping up and doing what is right.

Taxpayer, Business Owner and Concerned Citizen,
D. J. Allen

Cc/ Honorable James D. “Buddy” Caldwell, Attorney General
Cc/ Honorable John N. Kennedy, State Treasurer
Cc/ Honorable Jenifer Schaye, General Counsel (Legislative Auditor’s Office)
Cc/ Honorable Jonathan Stewart, District Attorney
Cc/ Honorable Robert “Bob” Kostelka, State Senator
Cc/ Honorable Jim Fannin, State Representative