Iberia Parish Government received a clean report from auditors for the 2018 audit report, Parish President Larry Richard said after the presentation last week to the parish council.

“Only one item was found to be have been problematic, and that issue was a mistake related to the purchase of equipment by the sewer department and was addressed immediately upon detection, which was prior to the audit,” Richard said.

Richard said auditors described the situation IPG continues to face in light of declining revenues, specifically within the Royalty Fund.

The fund is based on oil royalties and has been declining for several years, Richard said. “Where the parish used to receive some $4 million in revenue, the past two years have seen that funds revenue collection drop to under $1 million per year.”

While this has created issues, Richard said the administration and council have taken action to address the shortfall.

“These corrections have impacted our ability to provide services, but I am happy to state that while we are short staffed, and are suffering from a lack of available funding in some areas, we are doing a great job at providing services to the citizens of Iberia Parish,” he said.

“The auditor went on to state the adjustments that the administration had made were evident by a substantial decrease in expenditures, which has led to an increase in the number of days of available cash on hand. In other words, since taking office, we have, through expense reductions, improved our financial stability.”

Richard said that while IPG continues to hold its own, the administration will have to find increases in revenue if it expects to provide the infrastructure improvements that are badly needed throughout the parish.

In other business, Richard lauded the accomplishments of the Litter Abatement Program.

“I am also proud of our Litter Abatement Program,” Richard said. “If you recall this is a joint effort between Iberia Parish Government, the 16th Judicial District attorney and the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office to provide a way for those sentenced to community service to fulfil the requirements of said sentencing.

“The program is also helping us keep our parish cleaner, removing items from road shoulders, and drainage structures. Littering is a constant problem and diminishes our opportunity to attract residents, and business to move into our parish.”

Richar said last week the participants removed 53 bags of trash from roadsides. Since the program began in August of 2018, the program has successfully removed 540 bags of trash.

“I want to again thank everyone who participates in this program and urge everyone to please place trash in appropriate locations, and help put a stop to the littering that is harming our great parish.”