The Bogalusa City Council unanimously adopted a city of Bogalusa operating budget and capital budget for the fiscal year beginning Jan. 1, 2018, during a special called public meeting Thursday. Only Scott Ard and Brian McCree were absent.

After the meeting, Director of Administration Stacy Smith said that the General Fund would have a $3.6 million deficiency of revenues over expenditures.

“But most of the shorfall will be made up by different funds,” Smith said. “They are utilities and employee sales tax raises.”

The council also unanimously passed a resolution to request an opinion from the Louisiana Attorney General concerning an interpretation of the Oct. 2009 Parks and Recreation four mil ad valorem tax. At issue is the inclusion of the Senior Citizens Center building and programming.

Council President Gloria Kates tabled her resolution to amend Resolution No. 1455 to revise the order of business during the council meetings.

In other business, the council unanimously passed an ordinance that authorizes Mayor Wendy Perrette to enter into a lease agreement between the city and Carroll’s Electric for a space in the Industrial Park.

Washington Economic Foundation Director Ryan Seal spoke in favor of the agreement. He said that Carroll’s is “a fantastic company,” that wants to lease the “hard to lease front building were Cabinet World was for $2,000 per month.”

During the public participation period of the meeting, Fate Ferrell thanked Public Works Director James Hall for the demolition work his crews did at Sullivan Drive and Dewitt Place. Ferrell then asked Hall if he had any dirt left over to level the place.

There were no ordinances introduced at the meeting. The next meeting will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 2, at 5:30 p.m.