By JIM BUTLER

When do you patch a tire – when it starts leaking or when it goes flat?

Auditors began warning Boyce officials at least four years ago the tire was leaking. Now, a spare is in play while the town waits to see if a patch holds.

Boyce is entering the second month of law enforcement assistance from the Rapides Sheriff’s Office after essentially shutting down its police department in early February.

That came after the town attorney advised officials they opened themselves to possible malfeasance accusations if another department paycheck was signed or police bill paid.

Greg Jones noted police expenses through December were 44 percent over budget. State law allows variance up to 5 percent before budget amendment is required.

Chief Ronald Goudeau said his budget was cut last August, without his knowledge, to $480,000 for the fiscal year which began June 1. It was $800,000 before the change, he said.

Since August, Jones pointed out, the department had spent about $100,000 monthly for payroll, payroll taxes and retirement system contributions (the chief and six officers) and operating expenses.

Goudeau said he had never received reports on actual spending compared to budget. Jones reminded the chief he had told him several times at previous council meetings he is responsible for staying in budget. 

Jones and auditor CPA Steven McKay noted the town had cash on hand but that another month of police spending at the $100,000 rate would just about bankrupt the town.

Faced with the tire quickly going flat, officials cast about for an air pump or a patch.

The town must pay the chief, for he is an elected official.

Council members (Mary Fisher and Leslie Aaron abstaining on the motion), the mayor, the chief, the attorney and the auditor agreed $5,500 monthly would cover Goudeau’s salary, fuel for his patrol car and incidental expenses.

Sheriff Mark Wood had agreed earlier to have an officer on duty and another on backup at the Boyce substation for $20,000 monthly.

The revised police expense of $25,500 realizes a savings of $74,500 monthly.

Officials agreed to look at the matter again in May as the new fiscal year approaches June 1.

By then, in all likelihood, the town’s audit and  report for the year which ended last May 31 may have been released. 

On May 31, 2022, the last audited figure available, the town’s General Fund had $68,000 on hand. 

The town’s four most recent audits reflect a host of  issues as well as a financial pinch not dissimilar to that faced by many small municipalities.