The Lafayette City and Parish Councils are preparing to review Lafayette Mayor-President Josh Guillory's proposed budget.
That budget is $21.8 million less than last year's budget.
Not all departments are seeing cuts.
Funding has slightly increase for the fire pension fund, police pension fun, war memorial and coroner's office. The Lafayette Parish Correctional Center would see the biggest funding increase.
If approved by the councils, LPCC's budget would increase by nearly $2 million to $4.2 million.
LPSO Captain John Mowell says the proposed earmarks would go towards operations and key upgrades at the jail.
"The shower areas, stuff like that within the facility and public works projects like that. There's also upgrades that need to be done to a really ageing security system. As you know, security is real important in that corrections environment," said Captain Mowell.
Over the last several years, the Sheriff's Office budget has been hit hard.
The Sheriff's Office says a lack of funding from LCG forced them to layoff 42 employees and suspend several programs. In 2019, the Sheriff said the parish government should be chipping in to fund operations at the jail.
"The Sheriff and his administration has been working really hard to make sure that we can do exactly what we're mandated to do and what our job and core responsibilities are," said Captain Mowell. "I think this goes a long way to help that. This itemized request didn't even come before the council last year."
Captain Mowell said the Mayor-President's proposed budget is a sign of ow well the Guillory administration is working with the Sheriff's Office despite a pending lawsuit over funding for the jail.
"I can't talk about the pending litigation, that's for lawyers to do, but it definitely is a great sign when you have government working together and working towards the common goal of serving the people," Captain Mowell said.
LCG Chief Communications Officer Jamie Angell said though the case is still in litigation, both sides are hammering out a few points and hope to have the suit resolved by the end of the year.
Angelle did not comment on the proposed budget and Guillory was unavailable for comment.
The City and Parish Councils will begin their budget review process on Tuesday.
Parish funds, including the LPCC will be discussed on August 13. The other major budget item this year, Parks and Recreation will be discussed on Thursday, August 6.
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