City Council Cuts Legal Fees for 2012-2013

CENTRAL — The Central City Council approved a $6 million annual city budget Tuesday night but not before significantly reducing the appropriation for legal fees.  The line item for City Attorney, a part-time position, was cut from $85,000 to $30,000 a year and the City Prosecutor, who has tried only two cases, was cut from $25,000 to $5,000.  High legal fees have been a bone of contention for the Council for several years.  Council members have been critical of large sums paid to City Attorney Sherri Morris.

The motion by Mayor Pro-Tem Ralph Washington was to reduce the budget amounts for legal services but to review the issue over the next 60 days.  Any increase in funding for legal services would require further action by the Council.  Washington said, “We have no procedure in place to control the cost of legal services.  So, until there is a control system, we’ll review this item carefully.”  Washington’s motion was approved 3-2 with Councilman Dr. Tony LoBue and Wayne Messina supporting it, and Councilmen Louis DeJohn and Aaron Moak opposing it.

Moak added $20,000 to the budget for grass cutting on state and parish roads inside the city limits.

The budget passed 4-1 with DeJohn opposing it.  The budget has a surplus of $1.3 million.  Washington said later, “It sounds good to have a surplus, but we’re not doing much for the citizens.”