SERVING THE PARISHES OF EAST FELICIANA AND WEST FELICIANA
DEMOCRAT THE ST. FRANCISVILLE
T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
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W e d n e s d ay, A p r i l 16, 2025
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Plan to cut funds to 3 parish agencies pulled from agenda EAST FELICIANA POLICE JURY
BY JAMES MINTON
Contributing writer
East Feliciana Parish police jurors briefly considered freezing funds April 7 to three parish agencies but pulled back in face of apparent opposition. Finance Committee Chairman Kyle Fleniken said the jury faces a possible $300,000 shortfall in this year’s General Fund budget. The fund supports a variety of operations, some required by state law and others considered discretionary.
The committee recommended freezing monthly payments to support the Council on Aging, the LSU AgCenter’s parish office and the Public Defender’s Office until the end of the year, pending the results of a proposed election to change the way surplus tax revenues are distributed. Fleniken said the freeze would save the General Fund $64,666 for the remainder of the year, which would reduce the expected deficit.
The proposal would cut $16,666.64 from the Council on Aging from May through December, $18,000 from the AgCenter and $30,000 from the Public Defender. Juror Jason McCray asked for a vote on each of three agencies’ funding, saying he was against cutting the Council on Aging’s budget. Jurors quickly seized on a suggestion to delay a decision until after an upcoming conference
with auditors who are working on an audit of the jury’s revenues and spending last year. Exactly who would confer with the auditors was not clear as the jury tabled the funding freeze. The jury is expected on May 5 to call an election this fall to rededicate excess revenues from a 3-million property tax that funds the parish health unit. Currently, after the budget needs of the health unit are met with the tax revenues, 90% of any surplus money is allocated to the Road and Bridge Fund and 10% to the
General Fund. At one time, the surplus was split 50-50 between the two funds, but at some point the 90-10 split was instituted, for reasons jury President Louis Kent said last month he cannot explain. The jury now wants voters to allow the 50-50 split once again to put the General Fund on a more solid footing. An election date has not been set, however, and the discussion revealed that the jury may have
ä See FUNDS, page 2G
STAFF PHOTOS BY MICHAEL JOHNSON
Harley waits patiently as handler Luke Cour simulates shooting at ducks during the retriever trials series 1 of the Super Retrievers Series on Thursday in St. Francisville.
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Super Retriever Series in St. Francisville tests skills of canines The Super Retriever Series was in St. Francisville on April 10-13 and featured more than 100 dogs competing in outdoor sports in the field and on the dock. Guests brought lawn chairs and their dogs to take part in the Fun Jump event. The event included retriever trials, super fly and dock dog competitions. ä More photos from the event. PAGE 6G
Rosedown ushers spring with Easter egg hunt
East Feliciana alumni to celebrate on April 26 Leila Pitchford AROUND THE FELICIANAS
The East Feliciana Unified Alumni Association’s annual Alumni Day is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 26. The event will have games and other fun as well as free food. It will be at the East Feliciana Unified Alumni Center, 10600 Rouchon Road, Clinton. Anyone who attended any school in the East Feliciana Public School System is eligible to join. New members are welcome. The Alumni Association provides assistance with maintenance, landscaping, scholarships and other
ä See AROUND, page 2G
BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER Contributing writer
The Rosedown State Historic Site, with its stately main house and lush gardens, is known for its beauty and historic significance. But once a year, hundreds of children know it as the backdrop of a grand Easter egg hunt. More than 125 children and their families dotted the grounds Saturday for the 19th-century Easter Egg Hunt. Interpretive Ranger SaPHOTO BY FRANCES Y. SPENCER sha Traña served as tour guide for
Maddie Barnes visits with the Easter Bunny on Saturday at the 19thCentury Easter Egg Hunt held at Rosedown State Historic Site.
ä See EGG, page 3G