Resolution tabled

Published 6:00 am Thursday, December 14, 2017

The Iberia Parish Council once again voted to table a resolution removing a receivables from the General and Royalty Funds, $1.7 million and $52,753, respectively, for previous loans made to the Acadiana Fairgrounds Commission.

The resolution was related to the Isle of Iberia, which has not paid off its loans and likely will be unable to in the foreseeable future.

“It’s not that the funds won’t be collected, it’s that they’re not collectable now,” Councilman Lloyd Brown said.

The original wording of the resolution was to forgive the loans, but legal counsel Andy Shealy offered a substitute resolution that explained forgiving the loans was not the case.

Shealy said the actual problem being addressed was that the parish books were showing the parish receiving money that it doesn’t actually have, which could pose a future problem with the Louisiana Legislative Auditor.

“What this resolution is about is compliance with generally accepted accounting practices,” Shealy said. “Unfortunately, the initial draft probably wasn’t worded well and I’ve changed that.”

“What we need to talk about is these financial statements in your General Fund is a misstatement,” he said. “It’s an overvaluation of what’s in your general fund. You’re asking (Iberia Parish Finance Director Kimberly) Ms. Segura to certify the financials are true and accurate, when you know it’s overstated.”

Councilman Brian Napier took offense to the wording of the statement, and was concerned with his constituents’ opposition to loan forgiveness.

“I take offense to that,” Napier said. “Legally you should let us know what we have to do, we’re just trying to do the right thing.”

“I’m not here to be liked, I’m here to give you legal advice,” Shealy said.

Councilman Warren Gachassin said he had only read the resolution that day and had needed more time to understand the resolution.

However, Shealy said the substitute resolution was the same wording as the one made on Sept. 27, the first time the issue was brought to the Parish Council.

Napier ultimately made a substitute motion to table the motion to another meeting. Because a change to the budget has to be made before Dec. 31, a decision on whether or not to vote the resolution will have to be made at the Parish Council’s next meeting.

The motion passed unanimously.