ORDINANCE
STATE OF LOUISIANA NO. 12,288
CITY OF MONROE
The following Ordinance was introduced by Harvey , who moved for its final adoption, and was seconded by Muhammad :
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 OPERATING BUDGET AND FURTHER PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Local Government Budget Act (La. R.S. 39:1301, et seq.) and the City of Monroe Charter (Article V) require the City of Monroe to annually adopt an operating budget;
WHEREAS, in accordance with §§ 5-02 and 5-03 of the Charter, La. R.S. 39:1305, and La. R.S. 39:1306(A), the Mayor submitted a proposed operating budget to the City Council on January 30, 2025;
WHEREAS, in accordance with § 5-02 of the Charter and La. R.S. 39:1307, the City Council published in its official journal more than ten days prior to the date of the public hearing (a) a notice of public hearing, including the date, time, and place thereof, (b) a general summary of the proposed budget, and (c) the times and places where the proposed budget were available for public inspection;
WHEREAS, public hearings were held on the proposed budget on March 10, 2026, and March 24, 2026;
WHEREAS, the City Council considered and duly adopted the following amendments to the proposed budget in a special meeting held on March 24, 2026:
General Fund Budget Amendments
- On page 11 of 63, line 328, change the 2027 Budget for Travel from $20,000 to $30,000.
- On page 15 of 63, line 431, increase the 2027 Budget for Salaries & Wages from $1,034,680 to $1,060,530.
- On page 16 of 63, line 442, increase the 2027 Budget for Payroll Taxes from $28,934 to $29,309.
- On page 16 of 63, line 444, increase the 2027 Budget for Pension from $257,078 to $264,058.
- On page 20 of 63, insert a line between lines 597 and 598 that reads:
| Line | Account Number | Account Description | 2025 Actual Amount | 2026 Amended Budget | 2027 Proposed Budget | $ Chg | Comments | |
| 598 | 6930.007 | CEA – SEDD | – | – | 100,000 | 100,000 | Budget |
Special Revenue Fund Budget Amendments
- On page 23 of 32, insert a line between lines 783 and 784 that reads:
| Line | Account Number | Account Description | 2025 Actual Amount | 2026 Amended Budget | 2027 Proposed Budget | $ Chg | Comments | |
| 784 | 5337.001 | Local Grants | – | – | 100,000 | 100,000 | Budget |
General Amendment
- Subject to final adoption, mayoral veto, and any veto overrides, all budget summaries and totals affected by these amendments shall be adjusted to reflect the finally enacted budget;
WHEREAS, the Operating Budget for FY 2026-2027, as amended and finally adopted, is attached hereto and made part hereof; and
WHEREAS, approved expenditures do not exceed the total of estimated funds available.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Monroe, Louisiana, in legal and special session convened, that:
SECTION 1. Adoption of Budget. The Operating Budget for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2026, and ending April 30, 2027, as amended, is hereby adopted and funds are appropriated as set forth therein.
SECTION 2. Filing. The Council Clerk and Director of Administration shall retain and file certified copies of the adopted budget, budget adoption instrument, duly authorized budget amendments, and copies of supporting schedules and correspondence related to the budget at Monroe City Hall.
SECTION 3. Reproduction. The Operating Budget, as finally adopted, shall be reproduced and sufficient copies shall be made available for use by all offices, departments and agencies of the City, and for the use of all interested persons.
SECTION 4. Transfers and Reservation of Powers. In accordance with § 5-04 of the Charter and La. R.S. 39:1305(D), the Mayor may transfer all or part of an unencumbered appropriation within programs or functions, provided however, that a transfer of unencumbered appropriation balances from one department, office or agency to another or from one program or function must be approved by ordinance.
SECTION 5. Certification of Compliance. The Council Clerk shall publish a notice that the public was afforded an opportunity to participate in the budgetary process prior to adoption of the budget and certify that the City’s compliance with La. R.S. 39:1307(D).
This Ordinance was introduced on March 24, 2026.
Notice published on March 27, 2026 and April 6, 2026.
This Ordinance having been submitted in writing, introduced, and published, was then submitted to a vote as a whole, the vote thereon being as follows:
AYES: Harvey, McFarland & Muhammad
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Ezernack & Woods
And the Ordinance was declared ADOPTED on April 14, 2026.
Rodney McFarland, I
CHAIRPERSON
Carolus S. Riley
CITY CLERK
Oliver Friday Ellis
MAYOR’S APPROVAL
______________________________
MAYOR’S VETO