Parks - The Parks Village Council focused on financial planning and infrastructure updates during its May meeting, addressing both the current and upcoming fiscal year budgets.
Council members reviewed and adopted a resolution approving the revised 2025–26 fiscal year budget, which reflects the village’s actual income and expenditures over the past year. A second resolution approving the proposed 2026–27 budget, set to begin in July, was also adopted. Final votes on both measures are scheduled for the June meeting.
Mayor Kevin Kately noted that the village remained financially stable over the past year. “We pretty much stayed on budget all last year and we kept the same numbers for this upcoming year,” he said.
Kately also provided an update on construction of the village’s new water well, noting that progress is currently on hold pending test results. “We’re still waiting on the results of the water samples we drew and sent off to be tested,” he said. “I had hoped it would have been done by now so we could continue with the construction, but it hasn’t been returned yet.”
Despite the delay, expenses related to the project are beginning to come due. Kately explained that while the village will see significant short-term costs, those expenses will eventually be reimbursed through grant funding. “It’s just the way the system works,” he said. “We have grant money coming in, but we have to pay the bills first, and then the grant money replaces what we spend.”
In other business, Kately said he recently authorized the installation of fans in the park pavilion to improve comfort for visitors. He also noted plans to explore adding barbecue pits to enhance the park’s amenities.
The mayor further reported that the village plans to increase its investment in the Louisiana Asset Management Program (LAMP), where it currently holds approximately $800,000. Kately said he hopes to add about $200,000 more in the coming months, though that amount could be impacted by upcoming wellrelated expenses.
The council also took time to recognize local educators. Honored were Parks Primary School Teacher of the Year Nicole Thomas and Paraprofessional of the Year Niki Morvant, along with Parks Middle School Teacher of the Year Mme. Bhynty Charif and Paraprofessional of the Year Tracy Simon. Each received small gifts from the council.
Kately said the recognition effort reflects a broader goal of increasing community engagement. “The council needs to get out into the community more to show everyone what we’re doing, and this was a good way to do it,” he said.
