HOME RULE CHARTER

PLAN OF
GOVERNMENT
OF
POINTE COUPEE
PARISH
PRELIMINARYDRAFTNOTTHEFINALVERSION

MAY2,2016
PRELIMINARILYAPPROVEDBYTHEPOINTECOUPEEPARISHHOMERULECHARTERCOMMISSOIN

TABLEOFCONTENTS

ARTICLEI

GeneralProvisions

Section1.01HomeRuleCharter
Section1.02Intent
Section1.03FormofGovernment
Section1.04Boundaries
Section1.04Powers
Section1.05AmendingorRepealingtheCharter
Section1.06OathofOffice

ARTICLEII ParishCouncil

Section2.01General
Section2.02QualificationsandTerm
Section2.03Compensation
Section2.04Vacancy
Section2.05Organization
Section2.06Investigation
Section2.07CouncilEmployees
Section2.08OrdinancesandResolutions

ARTICLEIII ParishPresident

16

Section3.01General
Section3.02QualificationsandTerm
Section3.03Compensation
Section3.04Vacancy
Section3.05PowersandDuties

ARTICLEIV Administration
Section4.01General
1

21

Section4.02DepartmentofAdministration
Section4.03DepartmentofPublicWorks
Section4.04DepartmentofParksandRecreation
Section4.05DepartmentofFinance
Section4.06LegalCounsel

ARTICLEV Finance

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Section5.01FiscalYear
Section5.02SubmissionofOperatingBudget
Section5.03AdoptionofOperatingBudget
Section5.04SubmissionofCapitalBudget
Section5.05AdoptionofCapitalBudget
Section5.06AdministrationofOperatingBudgetand
CapitalBudget
Section5.07AmendmenttoAdoptedBudgets
Section5.08ReserveFundandRainyDayFund
Section5.09DebtandBorrowing
Section5.10EmergencyExpendituresorBorrowing
Section5.11AccesstoBudgets

ARTICLEVI Transition

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Section6.01ContinuationofActions
Section6.02SpecialDistricts
Section6.03Fees,ChargesandTaxLevies
Section6.04Severability
Section6.05ScheduleofTransition
Section6.06ElectionofOfficials
Section6.07BallotProposition


ARTICLEI
GENERALPROVISIONS
Section1.01HomeRuleCharter
Section1.02Intent
Section1.03FormofGovernment
Section1.04Boundaries
Section1.05Powers
Section1.06AmendingorRepealingtheCharter
Section1.07OathofOffice

Section1.01.

HomeRuleCharter

The Pointe Coupee Parish Home Rule Charter Commission has proposed
and the electors have adopted this Home Rule Charter under the authority of
Article VI, Section 5 of the Louisiana Constitution of 1974. The Pointe Coupee
Parish Government is a governmental subdivision of the State of Louisiana,
whichfromthistimeon,operatesunderahomeruleCharterand,subjecttothe
Charter, is authorized to exercise any power and perform any function
necessary,orrequisiteforpropermanagementofitsaffairs.

Section1.02.

Intent

ThisChartershallbeliberallyconstruedtoaiditsdeclaredintentwhich,is
toestablishforthepeopleofPointeCoupeeParish,effectivehomerulewhichis
freefromstatelegislativeinterferenceregardingthestructureandorganization
ofitslocalgovernment,andwiththepowerandauthoritytomanageitslocal
governmentalaffairs,ascontemplatedandintendedbyprovisionsofArticleVI,
Sections5and6oftheLouisianaConstitutionof1974.

Section1.03.

FormofGovernment

TheplanestablishedbythishomeruleChartershallbeknownasthepresident
councilformofgovernment.Itshallconsistofanelectedparishpresidentwho
willbeitschiefexecutiveofficerandheadoftheparishgovernment'sexecutive
branch and an elected council, which shall constitute the legislative branch of
thegovernment.

Section1.04.

Boundaries

TheboundariesoftheparishgovernmentshallbetheboundariesofPointe
CoupeeParishineffectonthedatethisCharterbecomeseffectiveandshallbe
subjecttochangeasprovidedbylaw.

Section1.05.

Powers

A. Except as otherwise provided by this Charter, the Parish Government of

Pointe Coupee Parish shall continue to have all the powers, privileges,
immunities and authorities previously possessed under state law. The
parish government shall have and exercise any other powers, rights,
privileges, immunities, authorities, and functions, not inconsistent with
theCharter,thatmaybeconferredonorgrantedtoalocalgovernmental
subdivision by the constitution and general laws of the state, and this
includes the right and authority to exercise any power and perform any
function necessary, requisite, or proper for the management of parish
governmentaffairswhichisnotdeniedbythisCharter,generalstatelaw
ortheconstitution.
B. The parish government shall have the power to pass all ordinances
necessarytopromote,protect,andpreservethegeneralwelfare,safety,
health, peace, and orderly conduct of the parish, and this includes the
powertopassordinancesonallsubjectmattersnotinconsistentwiththe
constitutionordeniedbystatelaw.
C. Theparishgovernmentshallhavethepowerandauthoritytoenterinto
cooperative agreements and intergovernmental contracts with local
governmentsandregional,stateandfederalauthorities.


Section1.06.

AmendingorRepealingtheCharter

A. ThereshallbenoproposaltoAmendorRepealthisCharterpriorto
Januaryof2020.
B. ThereafteraproposaltoamendorrepealthisChartermaybeproposed
byordinanceadoptedbytwothirdsofthemembershipoftheParish
Council.
C. Suchordinanceshallbepublishedinitsentiretyintheofficialjournalof
thePointeCoupeeParishGovernment
D. TheelectiononthepropositiontoamendorrepealthisChartershallbe
calledatthenextavailableelectionfollowingthepublicationofthe
ordinanceoratsuchotherelectionasspecifiedintheordinance,as
allowableunderLouisianalaw.
E. Intheeventmultipleamendmentsareadoptedbythevotersandthe
termsthereofconflict,theconflictingamendmentthatreceivesthehigher
numberofvotesshallprevailandbecomeeffective.
F. NoproposaltoamendorrepealtheChartermayproposetoshortenthe
termofanyelectedofficialoftheParishGovernmentoreliminatesuch
officepriortotheexpirationofthetermofanysuchofficialwhoholds
officeatthetimethepropositionissubmittedtothevoters.

Section1.07.

OathofOffice

AllelectedofficialsofthePointeCoupeeParishGovernmentshalltakethe
followingoathofoffice:
I[NAME],doherebysolemnlyswear(ofaffirm)thatIwillsupportthe
ConstitutionandlawsoftheUnitedStates,theConstitutionandlawsof
the State of Louisiana, and the Home Rule Charter and ordinances of
PointeCoupeeParish,andthatIwillfaithfullyandimpartiallydischarge
andperformallofthedutiesincumbentuponmeas[TITLEOFOFFICE],
according to the best of my ability and understanding, (so help me
God).


ARTICLEII
PARISHCOUNCIL
Section2.01General
Section2.02QualificationsandTerm
Section2.03Compensation
Section2.04Vacancy
Section2.05Organization
Section2.06Investigation
Section2.07CouncilEmployees
Section2.08OrdinancesandResolutions

Section2.01.

General

A. TheParishCouncilshallserveastheparishgoverningauthorityforPointe
CoupeeParish.
B. The Parish Council shall be comprised of eight members, who shall be
electedfromsinglememberdistricts.
C. The eight single member districts shall be identical to the eight single
member districts from which the members of the Pointe Coupee Parish
wereelectedinthe2012regularsession,inclusiveofanychangestosuch
districtsadoptedbythePointeCoupeeParishSchoolBoardsubsequentto
suchelection,exceptasotherwiseprovided.
D. Afterthefederaldecennialcensus,immediatelyfollowingtheadoptionof
thischarter,theCouncilmayredistricttheelectiondistrictsfortheParish
Council,totheextentallowableunderapplicablestateandfederallaws.
E. AchangeinthenumberofmembersoftheParishCouncilorachangeas
to whether those members are elected from singlemember districts or
atlargemayonlybeaffectedthroughanamendmenttothischarter.

Section2.02.

QualificationsandTerm

A. ApersonshallbeaqualifiedelectoroftheParishatthetimeofqualifying
fortheofficeofParishCouncilmember.
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B. A person shall have been domiciled and actually resided within the
districtforwhichsuchpersonseekselectionforatleast1yearatthetime
of qualifying to run for the office of Parish Council member. The
provisions of this Subsection shall be inapplicable in the first election
following any redistricting; however, any person elected to a single
memberdistrictshall,priortotakingofficeestablishdomicileandactual
residencywithinthesinglememberdistrictforwhichhewaselected.
C. A person elected to the Parish Council shall remain domiciled in and
actuallyresidingthedistricttowhichthepersoniselected,duringthefull
durationofthetermforwhichelected.
D. Themethodforenforcementofthequalificationsrequiredatthetimeof
qualifying to run for the office of member of the Parish Council shall be
thoseaffordedundergeneralLouisianastateelectionlaw.
E. The method for enforcing the requirement to remain domiciled and
actually residing in the singlemember district shall be enforced as
providedforherein.
F. ThetermofamemberoftheParishCouncilshallbefour(4)years,torun
concurrent with the term of the Parish President, except as otherwise
providedforherein.
G. ElectionsforthemembersoftheParishCouncilshallbeheldatthetime
for the Regular Gubernatorial elections in 2019, and every four years
thereafter,subjecttotheprovisionsoftheArticleonTransition;
H. MembersoftheParishCouncilshalltakeofficeatonthesecondMonday
inJanuaryfollowingtheirelection.

Section2.03.

Compensation

A. The salary of a member of the Parish Council elected from a single

memberdistrictshallbe$1,200permonth,orportionthereof.
B. The salary of a member of the Council Chairperson shall be $1,300 per
month,orportionthereof.
C. Members of the Parish Council shall be eligible to purchase insurance
under any plan offered by the Parish to fulltime Parish employees, but
onlyontheconditionthatthememberspay100%ofthecoststhereof.
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D. The salary of the members of the Parish Council may be changed by

ordinance,however,anychangeinsalarymaynotbeeffectiveduringthe
terminwhichitisadopted,andnosuchordinancemaybeinthelastyear
ofaterm.
E. The Council may, by ordinance, impose financial penalties on members
failingtoattendmeetings.

Section2.04.

Vacancy

A. The office of member of the Parish Council shall be considered vacant

upon the death, resignation, or removal, in the manner set forth in
Louisianalaworherein,ofthepersonelectedtotheoffice.
B. A member of the Parish Council shall be removed from office if
determinedtonotmeetanyoftheQualificationssetforthhereinforthe
office.
C. Any person may notify the District Attorney that one or more of the
conditionsforremovalofthepersonelectedtotheofficeofmemberof
theParishCouncilisapparent.TheDistrictAttorneyshallwithinseven
(7) days initiate a quo warranto proceeding in the District Court in
PointeCoupeeParishrequestingthattheCourtmakeadeterminationas
towhetheroneormoreoftheconditionsforremovalofthememberof
the Parish Council exist, and if so to order such removal and the
recognitionofavacancy.
D. In the event the office the member of the Parish Council becomes
vacant,theCouncilshall,withinthirtydaysofthedeathorresignation,a
final Judgment of vacancy by a Court of competent jurisdiction, or as
otherwiseprovidedbylaw,shallappointapersontofillthevacancy.
1. The appointment shall require a vote of a majority of the entire
remainingmembershipoftheCouncil.
2. Thepersonappointed shall meet all of the qualifications as ofthe
dateoftheappointmentfortheseattowhichtheyareappointed.
3. Upon the failure of the Council to make an appointment within
thirtydays,suchappointmentshallbemadebytheGovernor.
E. If,uponthedateofthevacancy,thereremainlessthantwoyearsinthe
termofthememberoftheParishCouncil,theappointmentshallbefor
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theremainderoftheterm,withthatpersonentitledtoalloftherights,
powers,benefitsandcompensationoftheoffice.
F. If,uponthedateofthevacancy,thereremaintwoyearsormoreinthe
termofthememberoftheParishCouncil:
1. the appointment shall be an interim appointment, until such time
as a member of the Parish Council can take office following a
specialelection;
2. duringthetermoftheappointmentthepersonappointedshallbe
entitled to allofthe rights, powers, benefits and compensationof
theoffice.
3. theCouncil,atthesamemeetingatwhichtheappointmentismade
or within three (3) days of an appointment by the Governor, shall
takesuchactionsasarenecessarytocallaspecialelectionforthe
remainderofthetermoftheofficeofmemberoftheParishCouncil
at the next available regular election date, as provided for by
Louisianalaw;
4. the person elected at such special election shall take office upon
thecertificationoftheelectionresultsasprovidedbyLouisianalaw
and shall serve, as a member of the Parish Council, for the
remainderoftheterm;
G. TheappointeetofilltheofficeofmemberoftheParishCouncilshallbe
disqualified from running in the next election for the office, whether
regularorspecial.

Section2.05.

Organization

A. TheParishCouncilshallatitsfirstmeetingfollowingthetakingofoffice
following a regular election elect from among its membership a
ChairpersonoftheParishCouncilwhoshallhavetheauthoritytopreside
atallregularorspecialmeetingsoftheCouncilatwhichpresent;
B. The Council shall, at its first meeting following the taking of office
following a regular election, elect from among its membership a Vice

C.
D.

E.

F.

G.

H.
I.

Chairperson, who shall serve for the remainder of the fouryear term of
theCouncil.
TheViceChairpersonshallhavetheauthoritytopresideatanyregularor
specialmeetingintheabsenceoftheChairperson;
The Chairperson shall endeavor to ensure compliance with all laws,
ordinancesandpoliciesdulyadoptedbytheCouncilandrequiredbythe
Charter;
TheParishCouncilshallmeetnotlessthanoncepermonth,onaregular
scheduleinaccordancewithanordinanceadoptedbytheCouncilandon
such other dates as a special or emergency meeting is called, at a time
andplaceidentifiedinaccordancewiththeLouisianaOpenMeetingsLaw;
SpecialmeetingsmaybecalledbytheChairperson,butshallbecalledby
the Chairperson, upon written request of a majority of the members of
theCouncildeliveredbyanymeanstotheChairperson,orintheabsence
thereof,theViceChairperson.
Emergency meetings may be called by the Parish President or the
Chairperson or upon a majority, but shall be called by the Chairperson,
upon written request of a majority of the members of the Council
deliveredbyanymeanstotheChairperson,orintheabsencethereof,the
ViceChairperson.
Minutes of the official actions of the Council shall be maintained and
publishedinaccordancewithLouisianalaw.
All meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the Louisiana Open
MeetingsLaw.

Section2.06.

Investigation

A. Upon a twothirds vote of the entire membership, the Council may

initiateaninvestigationintotheaffairsoftheParishgovernment.
B. All Parish officials and employees shall cooperate with an investigation
and the Council shall have the authority to seek judicial enforcement of
suchthroughmandamus.

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Section2.07.

CouncilEmployees

A. TheCouncilshall,byamajorityvoteoftheentiremembership,appointa
Clerk,whoshallserveatthepleasureoftheCouncil;
B. TheCouncilClerkshallbeanemployeeoftheParish,entitledtoallofthe
rights, privileges and benefits thereof; except the Council Clerk shall be
subject to supervision by the presiding officer of the Council, not the
ParishPresidentoranyotherofficialoremployeeoftheParish;
C. TheCouncilshallsetthecompensationoftheCouncilClerk,subjecttoan
appropriationintheParishOperatingBudget;
D. The Council may, by ordinance, authorize the hiring or any additional
employeeswhoserveatthepleasureoftheCouncil;
E. The Council Clerk shall serve as the Secretary of the Council and be
responsibletotakeallactionsnecessarytoprovideforthepropernotice
of meetings of the Council, keeping and maintaining the minutes of the
Council,takeallactionsnecessarytoprovideforthepublicationwiththe
officialjournalofanymattersasrequiredbytheCharterorotherwiseby
Louisianalaw.

Section2.08.

OrdinancesandResolutions

A. TheParishmayadoptOrdinancesorResolutionstoprovideformatters
pertainingtothehealth,welfare,safety,peaceandgoodorderofthe
Parish.
B. The following actions shall require the adoption of an Ordinance by the
processsetforthinthisCharter:
Adoptoramendadministrativecodes
Createorreorganizeparishdepartments
Provideforafineorpenaltyandtheregulationassociatedtherewith
Levytaxes,assessmentsandcharges
Adoptbudgetsandappropriatefunds
Grant,reneworextendafranchise
Provideforraisingrevenue
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 RegulatetheratechargesforParishservices
Authorizetheborrowingofmoney
Incurdebtinanymanner
Disposeofimmoveableproperty
ConveyorleaseParishproperty
Acquireimmoveableproperty
AdoptormodifytheofficialParishmap
Adoptormodifyregulationsforapprovalofplats
Adoptormodifysubdivisionregulations
Adoptormodifyzoningplans,mapsandregulations
AmendorrepealanOrdinance
ProposeamendmentstotheCharter

C. Resolutionsaretobeadoptedbytheaffirmativevoteofamajorityofthe
membersoftheCouncilpresentandvoting,arenotsubjecttovetobythe
Parish President, and do not have the full effect of law, except as
otherwiseprovidedforherein,andareintendedasanexpressionofthe
intentoftheCouncil.
D. Ordinancesshallbeintroducedandadoptedasfollows:
AnOrdinancemaybeproposedbyanymemberoftheParishCouncil
orbytheParishPresident.
AproposedOrdinancemustbeintroducedinwritingataCouncil
meetingintheformforcodification,exceptasotherwiseprovided;
AnOrdinanceproposingtheadoptionofarecognizedCodeof
RegulationsmaydosobyreferencetosaidCodewithouttherecitation
ofeveryitemcontainedtherein;
EveryproposedOrdinancemustcontainonlyasinglesubject,which
shallbeexpressedinitstitle
ThetitleoftheOrdinanceshallbereadalouduponintroduction
ThetitleofaproposedOrdinanceshallbesubmittedforpublicationin
officialjournalwithin10daysofintroduction,exceptasotherwise
providedherein
AproposedOrdinancemaynotbeconsideredforadoptionsooner
thanthreeweeksfromintroduction,exceptasotherwiseprovided;
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 AproposedOrdinancemaynotbeconsidereduntilafterapublic
hearinghasbeenheld,exceptasotherwiseprovidedforherein;
AproposedOrdinanceshallbeconsideredforadoptionataregularor
specialmeetingoftheCouncil,includingthesamemeetingatwhich
thepublichearingisconducted;
Ifconsideredforadoptionatthesamemeetingatwhichthepublic
hearingwasheld,thepublichearingshallsatisfytherequirementfor
PublicCommentsetforthintheOpenMeetingsLaw;
TheCouncilmayproposeamendmentstotheproposedOrdinance,
whichamendmentsneedonlybeapprovedbyamajorityofthe
membersoftheCouncilpresentandvotingthereon;
Anyamendmentssoadoptedareconsideredtobeincorporatedinto
theOrdinancewhenconsideredforfinaladoption;
AdoptionofaproposedOrdinance,inclusiveofanyamendments
thereto,shallrequiretheaffirmativevoteofamajorityofthe
membershipoftheParishCouncil;
AnyOrdinancesoadoptedshallbesignedbytheCouncilClerk,
attestingtoitsadoption;
TheadoptedOrdinanceshallthenbedeliveredtotheofficeofthe
ParishPresidentbytheCouncilClerk,within10days,andthetimeand
dateofdeliveryshallberecordedbytheCouncilClerk;
TheParishPresidentshallhave10daysfromreceipttosignorvetothe
Ordinance;
Uponthepassageofthetenthdayfollowingreceipt,intheeventthat
theParishPresidenthasneithersignednorvetoedtheOrdinance,the
Ordinanceshallbedeemedfinallyadopted;
UponsignaturebytheParishPresidenttheOrdinanceshallbedeemed
Finallyadopted;
UponfinaladoptiontheOrdinanceshallbedeliveredbytheParish
PresidenttotheCouncilClerk.
E. TheParishPresidentmayvetoanadoptedOrdinance,initsentirety,in
themannerprovidedforherein:
TovetoanadoptedOrdinance,theParishPresidentshallprominently
marktheOrdinanceVETO,atornearitstitle;
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F.

G.

H.
I.

TheParishPresidentshallthenreturntheOrdinancetotheParish
CouncilbydeliverytotheCouncilClerk,withinthreedaysoftheveto,
theOrdinancesomarkedandawrittenvetostatementsettingforth
thereasonsfortheveto;
TheCouncilClerkshallhavethevetostatementpublishedinthe
officialjournalassoonaspractical;
ThevetoedOrdinanceshallbepresentedtotheCouncilatthenext
regularorspecialmeetingfollowingthepublicationoftheveto
statement,aspermittedbytheOpenMeetingsLaw;
TheCouncilmay,uponatwothirdsvoteofitsentiremembership,
overridetheveto;
Ifthevetoisoverridden,thentheOrdinanceisconsideredfinally
adopted.
The Parish President shall not have the authority to veto any Ordinance
pertaining to any of the following: redistricting of the single member
districts of the Parish Council, proposed amendment to the Charter,
establishmentormodificationofCouncilprocedures,theappropriationof
fundsforauditingorCouncilinvestigations,oremergencyordinances.
AnyOrdinancefinallyadoptedshallbecomeeffectiveonthethirtiethday
aftersuchfinaladoption,unlessanalternativeeffectivedateissetforth
thereinorasotherwiseprovidedforherein.
Within ten days of final adoption, the Council Clerk shall submit the
Ordinancetotheofficialjournalforpublication,initsentirety.
An Emergency Ordinance may be adopted by the Council to address an
imminentdangertolifeorpropertyortocomplywithaStateorFederal
rule, mandate or requirement, which forestalls the use of the ordinary
processforadoptionofanOrdinance.Therequirementsfortheadoption
ofanEmergencyOrdinanceshallbeasfollows:
AnEmergencyOrdinancemaybeproposedbyanymemberofthe
ParishCouncilorbytheParishPresident;
AnEmergencyOrdinancemustbeintroducedinwritingataCouncil
meetingintheformforcodification;
AnEmergencymustcontainonlyasinglesubject,whichshallbe
expressedinitstitle;
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 ThetitleoftheEmergencyOrdinanceshallbereadaloudupon
introduction;
TheEmergencyOrdinancemaybeconsideredforadoptionatthe
meetinginwhichitisintroduced,butonlyafteranopportunityfor
publiccommenthasbeenhadonthematter;
AdoptionofanEmergencyOrdinancerequirestheaffirmativevoteof
twothirdsoftheentiremembershipoftheCouncil;
AnEmergencyOrdinanceshallnotbesubjecttoveto;
AnEmergencyOrdinanceshallbesubmittedforpublicationinthe
officialjournal,assoonaspractical;
AnEmergencyOrdinanceshallbecomeeffectiveuponadoption,but
shallexpireandnolongerbeenforceableafterthepassageofthe
thirtiethdayfollowingitsadoption,ortheadoptionofanOrdinance
onsubstantiallythesamesubjectmatter,byordinarymeans,
whicheveroccurssooner;
EmergencyOrdinancesonsubstantiallythesamesubjectmattermay
notbeadoptedwithinanyconsecutivesixtydayperiod.

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ARTICLEIII
PARISHPRESIDENT
Section3.01General
Section3.02QualificationsandTerm
Section3.03Compensation
Section3.04Vacancy
Section3.05PowersandDuties

Section301.

General

The Parish President shall be the chief executive officer of the Parish and
exercise general executive and administrative authority over all departments,
offices,andagenciesoftheParish,exceptasotherwiseprovidedforherein.The
officeofParishPresidentshallbeconsideredafulltimeposition.

Section302.

QualificationsandTerm

A. Apersonshallbeatleast25yearsatthetimeofqualifyingtorunforthe
officeofParishPresident.
B. ApersonshallbeaqualifiedelectorofPointeCoupeeParishatthetime
ofqualifyingtorunfortheofficeofParishPresident,andshallremainso
qualifiedduringthefulldurationofthetermforwhichelected.
C. ApersonshallhavebeendomiciledandactuallyresidedintheParishof
PointeCoupeeforatleast1yearatthetimeofqualifyingtorunforthe
officeofParishPresident.
D. ApersonelectedtotheofficeofParishPresidentshallremaindomiciled
inandactuallyresidinginPointeCoupeeParishduringthefulldurationof
thetermforwhichelected.
E. Themethodforenforcementofthequalificationsrequiredatthetimeof
qualifyingtorunfortheofficeofParishPresidentshallbethoseafforded
undergeneralLouisianastateelectionlaw.

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F. The method for enforcing the requirement to remain domiciled and

actuallyresidinginPointeCoupeeParishshallbeenforcedasprovidedfor
herein.
G. ThetermoftheParishPresidentshallbefour(4)years,torunconcurrent
withthetermsoftheCouncil,exceptasotherwiseprovidedforherein.

Section3.03.

Compensation

A. TheannualsalaryoftheParishPresident,firstelectedaftertheadoption
ofthisCharter,shallbe$110,000,payableinthesamemannerasthefull
timeemployeesoftheParish.
B. TheannualsalaryoftheParishPresidentmaybeincreasedbyordinance
duly adopted by the Parish Council, but no more often than every two
years.Theordinancemaysetforththattheincreaseinsalarytakeplace
duringthetermofaParishPresident.
C. TheParishPresidentshallbeentitledtothebenefitsaffordedtofulltime
parishemployees.However,withregardtoparticipationintheParochial
Employees Retirement System, the Parish President shall be entitled to
participateinaccordancewithapplicableStatelaw.
D. The Parish President shall have the option to use a Parish vehicle, or to
receiveavehicleallowanceinamountdeterminedbytheCouncil.
E. TheParishPresidentshallbeentitledtothereimbursementofreasonable
expensesrelatedtohisofficeinaccordancewithapolicyadoptedbythe
Council.

Section3.04.

Vacancy

A. The office of Parish President shall be considered vacant upon the

death,resignation,orremoval,inthemannersetforthinLouisianalaw
orherein,ofthepersonelectedtotheofficeofParishPresident.
B. TheParishPresidentshallberemovedfromofficeifdeterminedtonot
meetanyoftheQualificationssetforthhereinfortheoffice.
C. TheParishPresidentshallberemovedfromofficeuponbeingphysically
absentfromtheParishforaperiodinexcessof90consecutivedays.
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D. TheParishPresidentshallberemovedfromofficeuponbeinginfirmed
ordisabledtotheextentofbeingunabletocarryoutthedutiesofthe
officeforaperiodinexcessof90consecutivedays.
E. AnymemberoftheCouncilmaynotifytheDistrictAttorneythatoneor
moreoftheconditionsforremovalofthepersonelectedtotheofficeof
Presidentisapparent.TheDistrictAttorneyshallwithinseven(7)days
initiateaquowarrantoproceedingintheDistrictCourtinPointeCoupee
Parish requesting that the Court make a determination as to whether
oneormoreoftheconditionsforremovaloftheParishPresidentexist,
andifsotoordersuchremovalandtherecognitionofavacancy.
F. In the event the office Parish President becomes vacant, the Council
shall,withinthirtydaysofthedeathorresignation,afinalJudgmentof
vacancybyaCourtofcompetentjurisdiction,orasotherwiseprovided
bylaw,shallappointapersontofilltheofficeofParishPresident.
G. The appointment shall require a vote of a majority of the entire
membershipoftheCouncil.
H. The person appointed shall meet all of the qualifications for Parish
Presidentasofthedateoftheappointment.
I. In the interim between the occurrence of the vacancy and the
appointment, the Director of Administration shall exercise the Powers
and Duties of the Parish President, but shall not be considered the
Parish President for any purpose other than those necessary for the
operationoftheParish.
J. Upon the failure of the Council to make an appointment within thirty
days,suchappointmentshallbemadebytheGovernor.
K. If, upon the date of the vacancy, there remains less than two years in
the term of the Parish President, the appointment shall be for the
remainder of the term, with that person entitled to all of the rights,
powers,benefitsandcompensationoftheofficeofParishPresident.
L. If,uponthedateofthevacancy,thereremainstwoyearsormoreinthe
termoftheParishPresident:
M. theappointmentshallbe an interim appointment, until such time as a
ParishPresidentcantakeofficefollowingaspecialelection;
N. theCouncil,atthesamemeetingatwhichtheappointmentismadeor
withinthree(3)daysofanappointmentbytheGovernor,shalltakesuch
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actions as are necessary to call a special election for the remainder of

the term of the Parish President at the next available regular election
date,asprovidedforbyLouisianalaw;
O. the person elected at such special election shall take office upon the
certification of the election results as provided by Louisiana law and
shallserve,astheParishPresident,fortheremainderoftheterm;
P. during the term of the appointment the person appointed shall be
entitled to all of the rights, powers, benefits and compensation of the
officeofParishPresident.
Q. Theappointee to fillthe office of Parish President shall be disqualified
from running in the next election for the office of Parish President,
whetherregularorspecial.

Section3.05.

PowersandDuties

TheParishPresidentshall have thePowers and be responsible to perform the

Dutiessetforthherein.TheParishPresidentshall:
A. Ensurecompliancewithalllaws,ordinancesandpoliciesdulyadoptedby
theCouncilandrequiredbytheCharter;
B. Submit a proposed Annual Operating Budget for the operations of the
Parish,forconsiderationbytheCouncilasprovidedforherein;
C. Submit, annually, a proposed Five Year Capital Budget for consideration
bytheCouncilasprovidedforherein;
D. MakeMonthlyFiscalReportstotheCouncilonthefiscalconditionofthe
Parish;
E. Make an Annual Fiscal Report to the Council recapping the fiscal
operationsoftheParishfortheprecedingyearandmakingprojectionsfor
thefiscalhealthoftheParishmovingintothenextfiscalyear.
F. MakesuchotherreportsregardingtheParishasmayberequestedbythe
Council;
G. AttendallregularCouncilmeetings,inpersonorthroughadesignee;
H. AttendanyspecialmeetingoftheCouncilormeetingofaCommitteeof
theCouncil,uponrequestbytheCouncil;

19

I. Sign all contracts for expenditures as provided for in the duly adopted
Annual Operating Budget or as otherwise approved by the Council or
policyadoptedbytheCouncil;
J. PerformsuchotherdutiesasareapparentfromtheCharter,asprovided
forbytheCouncil,orasprovidedforbyLouisianalawnotinconflictwith
thisCharterorordinance;
K. Havetheauthoritytovetoanyordinance,initsentirety,adoptedbythe
Council,includingtheAnnualOperatingBudget;
L. Have the authority to veto specific line items of the Annual Operating
Budget adopted by the Council, in conjunction with executing the
remainderthereof;
M. Appoint, suspend, discipline or remove any employee of the Parish, in
accordance with the personnel policies adopted by the Council, or as
otherwiseprovidedbytheCharterorLouisianalaw;
N. DirectandsuperviseallDepartments,officesandagenciesoftheParish.

20


ARTICLEIV
ADMINISTRATION
Section4.01General
Section4.02DepartmentofAdministration
Section4.03DepartmentofPublicWorks
Section4.04DepartmentofParksandRecreation
Section4.05DepartmentofFinance
Section4.06LegalCounsel

Section401.

General

A. ExceptasotherwiseprovidedforintheCharteralldepartments,andthe
offices and agencies therein, of Pointe Coupee Parish Government shall
beunderthedirectsupervisionofthePresident,throughtheDirectorsof
eachdepartment.
B. The Directors of each department shall be appointed by the President,
subjecttotheapprovaloftheCouncil,butshallserveatthepleasureof
thePresident.
C. The compensation of the Directors shall be established in the duly
adopted Operating Budget, or amendments thereto, or otherwise by
ordinance.

Section402

DepartmentofAdministration

A. TheDepartmentofAdministrationisherebycreated.
B. There may be appointed a Director of Administration, who shall be
subjecttothedirectsupervisionanddirectionofthePresident.However,
nothing herein shall prohibit the President from assuming the duties of
theDirectorofAdministration,inlieuofmakinganappointmenttosuch
post, without any increase in compensation above that provided to the
President.
C. TheDirectorofAdministration,intheeventoftheappointmentthereof,
shall be appointed in the manner set forth in the Charter for the
21

appointment of Directors and possess the following minimum

qualificationsuponappointment:
D. A bachelors degree in business administration, management, public
administrationorarelatedfield;and
E. Atleastthree(3)yearsofexperienceinbusinessoperations,management
orpublicadministration.
F. The Department of Administration shall have the responsibilities as set
forthherein.
G. PurchasingandProcurement,whichshallinclude:
H. Alldutiesandresponsibilitiesforpurchasingandprocurementanyandall
goods services, or immovable property, except as specifically otherwise
provided by this Charter or a duly enacted Parish ordinance or state or
federallaw,ruleorregulation,byanydepartment,officeoragencyofthe
Parish Government, except the execution of contracts on behalf of the
ParishGovernment,unlessotherwisedirectedbythePresident;
I. Compliance with all ordinances and state or federal laws, rules or
regulations with regard to purchasing or procurement which are
determinedtobeapplicabletotheParishGovernment,includingbutnot
limitedtotheLouisianaPublicBidLaws;
J. Nothing herein is intended to extend any state or federal laws, rules or
regulations to the Parish Government that are not applicable to Parish
GovernmentintheabsenceortheexistenceofthisCharter.
K. FloodPlainManagement,whichshallinclude:
L. SupervisionanddirectionoftheOfficeofFloodPlainManagement;
M. Compliance with all state and federal laws pertaining to Flood Plain
Management, including but not limited to the Federal Flood Insurance
program;
N. AdministrativeassistancetothePlanningCommission.
O. BuildingCodeComplianceandEnforcement,whichincludes;
P. SupervisionofthedulyappointedBuildingOfficial;
Q. Oversight and administration of the office or contractor designated to
issue permits and perform compliance and enforcement inspections and
otherdutiesinaccordancewiththeLouisianaStateUniformConstruction
Code, or its successor, and any applicable Parish ordinances or state or
22

federal laws, rules and regulations with regard to building codes or

constructioncodes.
R. PlanningCommission,whichincludes;
S. Determinations in accordance with the planning ordinances and the
issuanceofpermitsthereunder;
T. HumanResources,whichshallinclude:
U. Supervision and direction of the Human Resource function of Parish
Government;
V. Maintenance of all personnel records of employees of the Parish
Government in accordance with applicable Parish ordinances and state
andfederallaws,rulesandregulations;
W. ClericalStaffing,whichshallinclude:
a. Assignment of clerical staff to support the function of each and
everydepartment,officeandagencyofParishGovernment,except
asotherwiseprovidedforherein;
b. Supervision of the clerical function in support of each and every
department,officeoragencyofParishGovernment
X. Coordinate the interaction and cooperation between the various
departments,officeandagenciesoftheParishGovernment.
Y. Supervision and direction of any Parish Government employees
designatedtotheDepartmentofAdministration,subjecttotheprovisions
ofthisCharterandinaccordancewithallapplicableordinancesandstate
orfederallaws,rulesorregulations.
Z. TheDepartmentofAdministrationshallhaveanyotherresponsibilitiesas
provided by ordinance or as directed by the President, not otherwise in
conflictwiththeprovisionsofthisCharter.

Section403DepartmentofPublicWorks
A. TheDepartmentofPublicWorksisherebycreated
B. ThereshallbeappointedaDirectorofPublicWorks,whoshallbesubject
tothedirectsupervisionanddirectionofthePresident.

23

C. TheDirectorofPublicWorksshallbeappointedinthemannersetforthin
theCharterfortheappointmentofDirectors.
D. The Director of Public Works shall possess the following minimum
qualificationsuponappointment:
1. LicensurebytheStateofLouisianaasaprofessionalcivilengineer;
and
2. At least three (3) years of experience in the practice of civil
engineering.
E. The Department of Public Works shall have the responsibilities as set
forthherein.
F. ParishRoadSystem
1. Supervision and direction of the expenditure of monies from the
Parish Transportation Fund, subject to the provisions of this
Charter,andinaccordancewithallapplicableordinancesandstate
or federal laws, rules or regulations, including the designation of
theDirector,orsome other person, to administer the Parish Road
ProgramasrequiredbytheParishTransportationAct;
2. Supervision and direction of the expenditure of any other funds,
from whatever source derived, for the maintenance, repair and
constructionofroadswithintheParish,subjecttotheprovisionsof
this Charter, and in accordance with all applicable ordinances and
stateorfederallaws,rulesorregulations;
G. Drainage
1. Supervision and direction of the expenditure of funds for the
maintenance, repair and construction of the parish drainage
system,subjecttotheprovisionsofthisCharter,andinaccordance
with all applicable ordinances and state or federal laws, rules or
regulations;
2. Designation of the Director, or some other person, to administer
thisfunction.
H. Utilities
1. Supervision and direction of the administration and operations of
the parish utilities system, including any and all gas, or other
utilities, systems or districts under the supervision or
administrationoftheParishGovernment,subjecttotheprovisions
24

I.

J.

K.

B.

of this Charter, and in accordance with all applicable ordinances

andstateorfederallaws,rulesorregulations;
2. Ensuring that there are personnel either employed or contracted
thathold thelicensesor certifications required by state or federal
law, rule or regulation for the administration or operation of any
utilitysystemwithintheauthorityoftheParishGovernment;
3. Designation of the Director, or some other person, to administer
thisfunction.
BuildingsandGroundsMaintenance
1. Supervision and direction of the operations of the maintenance,
repair, and construction of the buildings, structures and property
owned or operated by the Parish Government, subject to the
provisions of this Charter, and in accordance with all applicable
ordinancesandstateorfederallaws,rulesorregulations;
2. Designation of the Director, or some other person, to administer
thisfunction
MosquitoAbatement
1. Supervision and direction of the operations related to mosquito
abatement, subject to the provisions of this Charter, and in
accordancewithallapplicableordinancesandstateorfederallaws,
rulesorregulations;
2. Designation of the Director, or some other person, to administer
thisfunction.
AnimalControl
1. Supervision and direction of operations related to animal control,
subjecttotheprovisionsofthisCharter,andinaccordancewithall
applicable ordinances and state or federal laws, rules or
regulations;
2. Designation of the Director, or some other person, to administer
thisfunction.
Supervision and direction of any Parish Government employees
designatedtotheDepartmentofPublicWorks,subjecttotheprovisions
ofthisCharterandinaccordancewithallapplicableordinancesandstate
orfederallaws,rulesorregulations.
25

L. The Department of Public Works shall have any other responsibilities as

provided by ordinance or as directed by the President, not otherwise in
conflictwiththeprovisionsofthisCharter.

Section4.04DepartmentofParksandRecreation
A. TheDepartmentofParksandRecreationisherebycreated.
B. ThereshallbeappointedaDirectorofParksandRecreation,whoshallbe
subjecttothedirectsupervisionanddirectionofthePresident.
C. The Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation shall be
appointedinthemannersetforthintheCharterfortheappointmentof
Directors.
D. TheDirectorofParksandRecreationshallpossessthefollowingminimum
qualificationsuponappointment:
a. A bachelors degree in physical education, kinesiology, parks
managementorarelatedfield;and
b. Atleastthree(3)yearsofexperienceinphysicaleducationorparks
orrecreationprogrammanagement.
E. TheDepartmentofParksandRecreationshallhavetheresponsibilitiesas
setforthherein.
F. Supervision and direction of any and all designated Parish Parks or Park
facilities,subjecttotheprovisionsofthisCharterandinaccordancewith
allapplicableordinancesandstateorfederallaws,rulesorregulations.
G. Supervision and direction of the Parish Multiuse Facility, subject to the
provisionsofthisCharterandinaccordancewithallapplicableordinances
andstateorfederallaws,rulesorregulations.
H. Supervision and direction of any Parish Government employees
designated to the Department of Parks and Recreation, subject to the
provisionsofthisCharterandinaccordancewithallapplicableordinances
andstateorfederallaws,rulesorregulations.
I. Development,supervisionanddirectionofparishrecreationalprograms,
subject to the provisions of this Charter and in accordance with all
applicableordinancesandstateorfederallaws,rulesorregulations.
26

J. The Department of Parks and Recreation shall have any other

responsibilitiesasprovidedbyordinanceorasdirectedbythePresident,
nototherwiseinconflictwiththeprovisionsofthisCharter.

27


Section4.05DepartmentofFinance
A. TheDepartmentofFinanceisherebycreated.
B. ThereshallbeappointedaDirectorofFinance,whoshallalsoserveinthe
capacity of the Parish Treasurer, and shall be subject to the direct
supervisionanddirectionofthePresident.
C. TheDirectorofFinanceshallbeappointedinthemannersetforthinthe
CharterfortheappointmentofDirectors.
D. The Director of Finance shall possess the following minimum
qualificationsuponappointment:
a. Abachelorsdegreeinbusinessadministration,finance,accounting
orarelatedfield;and
b. At least three (3) years of experience in business administration,
financeoraccounting.
E. The Department of Finance shall have the responsibilities as set forth
herein.
F. Supervision and administration of functions related to the collection of
sales and use taxes in the role as the Collector of Sales and Use Tax for
PointeCoupeeParish,includingthe appointmentofaSalesandUseTax
Collector.
G. Supervisionandadministrationofthebillingandcollectionofanyandall
charges,fees,fines,chargesbyorduetotheParishGovernment,directly
as in the circumstance of the Parish Government serving the billing or
collectionfunctionforanyotherentity.
H. Maintain the custody or all monies of the Parish Government, or other
fundsheldbytheParishGovernmentinfiduciarycapacityforanyperson
orentity.
I. AssistthePresidentinthepreparationoftheannualoperatingandcapital
improvementbudgetsoftheParishGovernment.
J. Maintain all records of indebtedness, including the payment of principal
andinterestthereon.
K. Ascertainanddeclaretheavailabilityornotoffundsforthepaymentof
invoices, charges, contracts, purchase orders or any other call for
paymentofmoniesbytheParishGovernment,includingdeterminationof
28

the sufficiency of the documentation establishing valid justification for

suchpayment.
L. DisbursementoffundsoftheParishGovernment
M. Disbursement of funds held by the Parish Government in a fiduciary
capacityforanotherpersonofentity.
N. Administrationofauniformaccountingsystemforalldepartment,office
or agencies of the Parish Government, in accordance with the
requirements of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board Rules,
andanyapplicablestateorfederallaws,rulesorregulations.
O. InvestmentofidlefundsoftheParishGovernment,inaccordancewithall
applicableordinancesandstateandfederallaws,rulesandregulations.
P. Preparation and maintenance of a monthly statement of revenues,
expensesandaccounts,tobecompletedwithinthirty(30)daysoftheend
ofeachcalendarmonth.
Q. Assistanceinthepreparationofanystate,federalorprivatesectorgrant
applicationsandmaintaintherecordsofsuchgrantsfromapplicationto
completion.
R. Make recommendations for the selection of an auditor to conduct any
auditsmandatedbystateorfederallaw,ruleorregulation.
S. ProvidecooperationandassistancetotheAuditorwithanyandallannual
orperiodicaudits.
T. Maintenance of an inventory or all Parish Government moveable and
immovableproperty.
U. Supervision and direction of any Parish Government employees
designatedtotheDepartmentofFinance,whichmayincludeanAssistant
Treasurer,subjecttotheprovisionsofthisCharterandinaccordancewith
allapplicableordinancesandstateorfederallaws,rulesorregulations.
V. The Department of Finance shall have any other responsibilities as
provided by ordinance or as directed by the President, not otherwise in
conflictwiththeprovisionsofthisCharter.

29

Section406.

LegalCounsel

A. The Pointe Coupee Parish Government opts to continue to utilize the

District Attorney for the 18th Judicial District, or his designee, as its
statutory legal advisor for the Parish Government as provided by
Louisianalaw,subjecttotheprovisionsofthisCharter.
B. SpeciallegalcounselmayberetainedbytheParishGovernmentpursuant
to a written contract with an individual attorney or a law firm, which
contract outlines the nature of the legal representation and the
compensationtobeprovidedtosuchcounsel.
1. Suchwrittencontractmustbeapprovedbytheaffirmativevoteof
a majority of the members of the Council present and voting
thereon,inaregularorspecialmeetingoftheCouncil.
2. Any such compensation expressed as an hourly rate shall not
exceed the most recently promulgated fee schedule by the
Louisiana Attorney General, unless and except the hourly rate is
approvedbytheaffirmativevoteofnotlessthantwothirdsofthe
totalmembershipoftheCouncil.
3. UponapprovalofthecontractprovidedforinthisSection,noother
review or approval shall be required, and the contract shall be
executedbythePresident,uponpresentation.

30


ARTICLEV
FINANCE
Section5.01FiscalYear
Section5.02SubmissionofOperatingBudget
Section5.03AdoptionofOperatingBudget
Section5.04SubmissionofCapitalBudget
Section5.05AdoptionofCapitalBudget
Section5.06AdministrationofOperatingBudgetandCapitalBudget
Section5.07AmendmenttoAdoptedBudgets
Section5.08ReserveFundandRainyDayFund
Section5.09DebtandBorrowing
Section5.10EmergencyExpendituresorBorrowing
Section5.11AccesstoBudgets

Section5.01.

FiscalYear

TheParishofPointeCoupeeshallcontinuetoutilizeastandardcalendar
yearofJanuary1throughDecember31asitsfiscalyear.
Section5.02

SubmissionofOperatingBudget

A. ThePresidentshallsubmitaproposedOperatingBudgettotheCouncilat
least90daysbeforethebeginningofthefiscalyear.
B. TheproposedOperatingBudgetshallconsistofthreeparts:
1. Presidential Message which shall be a brief summary of the
proposedbudgetwithcommentaryasacomparisontothecurrent
yearOperatingBudgetandnotationofsignificantchangesfromthe
prioryearOperatingBudget.
2. A detailed list of proposed expenditures, with comparisons to the
current year Operating Budget in such a format as changes to
expendituresarereadilyascertainable;adetailedlistofanticipated
revenues; detailed information as to any delinquent taxes or fees
forthecurrentyearorprioryears;any otherinformationthatthe
CouncilmayrequestinregardtotheOperatingBudget.
31

3. AdraftOperatingBudgetordinancewithappropriationssetoutby
departmentorprogramorexpendituretype.
C. The proposed Operating Budget shall be balanced, in that it shall not
propose aggregate expenditures in a higher dollar amount than
anticipatedaggregaterevenuesforthefiscalyear.
D. The proposed Operating Budget shall, at a minimum, contain the
following:
1. An appropriation for salaries for all Parish officials whose
compensationisprotectedbytheLouisianaConstitution;
2. Funds appropriate to meet any and all existing debt service
requirements;
3. Funds appropriate to meet all mandated expenditures set forth in
LouisianastatelawortheLouisianaConstitution;
4. Funds appropriate to fund the compensation established by the
CouncilforCouncilemployees;
5. AnappropriationtoaReserveFund,inanamountequalto0.5%of
all anticipated annual revenues recognized in the proposed
Operating Budget, exclusive of revenues that are dedicated in
accordance with a bond or other form of formal debt instrument,
exceptasotherwiseprovided;
6. ARainyDayFund,asprovidedforherein.

Section5.03.

AdoptionofOperatingBudget

A. UponsubmissiontotheCounciloftheOperatingBudget,theCouncilshall
orderatleastonepublichearingpriortoconsiderationofadoptionofthe
OperatingBudget.
B. Notice of the first public hearing on the Operating Budget shall be
publishedintheofficialjournalatleast10dayspriortothehearing.
C. Subsequent public hearings on the Operating Budget, if called by the
Council,shallbenoticedinthesamemannerasaspecialmeetingofthe
Council.
D. TheCouncil,followinganypublichearingontheOperatingBudget,orat
any meeting called for consideration of the Operating Budget following
32

thefirstpublichearingandpriortoadoptionthereof,maymakechanges
totheproposedOperatingBudget.
E. ChangestotheproposedOperatingBudgetshallconformtothefollowing
requirements:
1. The change shall require a motion and a majority vote in favor
thereofofamajorityoftheCouncilmembership;
2. The changes adopted by the Council may not result in the budget
failingtomeettherequirementsofSection5.02(C)or(D).
F. The Operating Budget ordinance shall be adopted by the affirmative of
voteofnotlessthanamajorityofthemembershipoftheCouncil.
G. The Operating Budget ordinance shall be signed by the Council Clerk,
attestingtoitsadoption.
H. The Operating Budget Ordinance shall be delivered to the office of the
ParishPresident,within10days,andthetimeanddateofdelivershallbe
recordedbytheCouncilClerk.
I. The Parish President shall have 10 days to sign or veto the ordinance,
whichincludesvetoinwholeorbylineitemappropriation.
J. Upon signature by the President or upon the passage of the tenth day
followingreceipt,intheeventthattheParishPresidenthasneithersigned
nor vetoed the ordinance, the Operating Budget ordinance shall be
deemedfinallyadopted,andshallbereturnedtotheCouncilClerktobe
maintainedintherecordsoftheCouncil.
K. IfthePresidentvetoestheOperatingBudgetordinance,initsentiretyor
astoanylineitemappropriation,thePresidentshallreturntheordinance
to the Council Clerk, within three days of the veto, with the ordinance
marked prominently VETO; or in the event of a line item veto, marking
theparticularlineitemasVETO.
L. The President shall at the time the ordinance is returned to the Council
Clerk,includeastatementastothebasisforthevetoorlineitemvetoes.
M. TheCouncilshall,atitsnextregularmeetingoraspecialmeetingcalled,
considertheoverrideoftheveto.
N. TheCouncilmay,upontwothirdsvoteofitsentiremembership,override
thevetoinitsentiretyoranyoneormoreofthelineitemvetoes.

33

O. If the veto in the entirety is overridden the Operating Budget ordinance

shall be deemed finally adopted and effective upon the first day of the
fiscalyear.
P. In the event of line item appropriation vetoes, the ordinance will be
deemedfinallyadopted,inclusiveofanylineitemappropriationtheveto
ofwhichhadbeenoverriddenbytheCouncil,aftersaidmeeting.
Q. If the Council fails to override a line item appropriation veto before the
firstdayofthefiscalyear,theOperatingBudgetsubjecttosuchlineitem
appropriationsisdeemedfinallyadopted.
R. The proposed Operating Budget of the Parish President becomes the
finallyadoptedOperatingBudgetifanyofthefollowingoccur:
1. The Council fails to adopt an Operating Budget ordinance prior to
thefirstdayofthefiscalyear;
2. The first day of the fiscal year occurs prior to signature of the
OperatingBudgetordinancebytheParishPresidentandduringthe
10daysfollowingreceiptoftheordinancebytheParishPresident;
3. TheCouncilfailstooverrideavetointheentiretyoftheOperating
Budgetordinance.

Section5.04

SubmissionofCapitalBudget

A. ThePresidentshallsubmitaproposedCapitalBudgettotheCouncilat
least90daysbeforethebeginningofthefiscalyear.
B. The proposed Capital Budget shall propose capital expenditures for
the subsequent 5 fiscal years, to include new or expanded facilities,
buildings, or other erections; major road or street construction or
rehabilitation; new major drainage, recreation or public buildings
projects;allothermajorconstructionprojects.
C. TheproposedCapitalBudgetshallconsistofthefollowingparts:
1. Presidential Message which shall be a brief summary of the
proposedbudgetwithcommentaryasthemajorprojectsproposed
andthefundingtowardsuchprojectsineachofthe5fiscalyears;
2. Adetailedlistofproposedprojects;

34

3. Costestimatestoconstruct,operateandmaintain,theanticipated
means of financing, and the time schedule for completion of each
projectproposed;
4. Anupdateofthestatusofanyongoingprojects
E. The proposed Capital Budget shall not propose expenditures in the next
fiscal year without the means of financing being provided therein, but
mayproposeprojectsforwhichthemeansoffinancingderivesfromtaxes
to be proposed or bonds or other debt instruments proposed to be
enteredinto,oraccesstootherfunds,inclusiveofgrants,rainydayfunds
andreservefunds,contingentupontheapprovalsnecessaryforaccessto
suchmeansoffinancing.

Section5.05.

AdoptionofCapitalBudget

A. UponsubmissiontotheCounciloftheCapitalBudget,theCouncilshall
orderatleastonepublichearingpriortoconsiderationofadoptionof
theCapitalBudget.
B. Notice of the first public hearing on the Capital Budget shall be
publishedintheofficialjournalatleast10dayspriortothehearing.
C. Subsequent public hearings on the Capital Budget, if called by the
Council, shall be noticed in the same manner as a special meeting of
theCouncil.
D. TheCouncil,followinganypublichearingontheCapitalBudget,orat
any meeting called for consideration of the Capital Budget following
the first public hearing and prior to adoption thereof, may make
changestotheproposedCapitalBudget.
E. ChangestotheproposedCapitalBudgetshallrequireamotionanda
majority vote in favor thereof of a majority of the Council
membership;
F. The Capital Budget ordinance shall be adopted by the affirmative of
voteofnotlessthanamajorityofthemembershipoftheCouncil.
G. The Capital Budget ordinance shall be signed by the Council Clerk,
attestingtoitsadoption.

35

H. The Capital Budget Ordinance shall be delivered to the office of the

ParishPresident,within10days,andthetimeanddateofdelivershall
berecordedbytheCouncilClerk.
I. TheParishPresidentshallhave10daystosignorvetotheordinance,
whichincludesvetoinwholeorbylineitem.
J. UponsignaturebythePresidentoruponthepassageofthetenthday
following receipt, in the event that the Parish President has neither
signednorvetoedtheordinance,theCapitalBudgetordinanceshallbe
deemedfinallyadopted,andshallbereturnedtotheCouncilClerkto
bemaintainedintherecordsoftheCouncil.
K. IfthePresidentvetoestheCapitalBudgetordinance,initsentiretyor
as to any line item appropriation, the President shall return the
ordinancetotheCouncilClerk,withinthreedaysoftheveto,withthe
ordinance marked prominently VETO; or in the event of a line item
veto,markingtheparticularlineitemasVETO.
L. ThePresidentshallatthetimetheordinanceisreturnedtotheCouncil
Clerk, include a statement as to the basis for the veto or line item
vetoes.
M. The Council shall, at its next regular meeting or a special meeting
called,considertheoverrideoftheveto.
N. The Council may, upon twothirds vote of its entire membership,
override the veto in its entirety or any one or more of the line item
vetoes.
O. If the veto in the entirety is overridden the Capital Budget ordinance
shallbedeemedfinallyadoptedandeffectiveuponthefirstdayofthe
fiscalyear.
P. In the event of line item appropriation vetoes, the ordinance will be
deemed finally adopted, inclusive of any line item appropriation the
vetoofwhichhadbeenoverriddenbytheCouncil,aftersaidmeeting.
Q. IftheCouncilfailstooverridealineitemappropriationvetobeforethe
firstdayofthefiscalyear,theCapitalBudgetsubjecttosuchlineitem
appropriationsisdeemedfinallyadopted.
R. The proposed Capital Budget of the Parish President becomes the
finallyadoptedCapitalBudgetifanyofthefollowingoccur:
36

1. TheCouncilfailstoadoptaCapitalBudgetordinancepriortothe
firstdayofthefiscalyear;
2. The first day of the fiscal year occurs prior to signature of the
CapitalBudgetordinancebytheParishPresidentandduringthe
10 days following receipt of the ordinance by the Parish
President;
3. TheCouncilfailstooverrideavetointheentiretyoftheCapital
Budgetordinance.

Section5.06.

AdministrationofOperatingBudgetandCapitalBudget

A. TheParishPresidentshallberesponsiblefortheproperadministrationof
theParishgovernmentinaccordancewiththefinallyadoptedOperating
BudgetandCapitalBudget.
B. No expenditures shall be authorized or made by the Parish President or
any employee of the Parish unless such expenditure falls within a line
item appropriation, except as otherwise provided for herein; the
intentionalviolationofthisprovisionshallbecauseformalfeasanceand
individualauthorizingsuchchargeshallbepersonallyliabletoreimburse
theParish.
C. With regard to each expenditure, the President or his designee shall
certify that there are funds available and that there is a valid
appropriationforsuchexpenditure.
D. Any appropriation in the Operating Budget shall lapse at the end of the
fiscalyearifnotexpendedorencumbered,unlessotherwiseprovidedin
theCapitalBudgetaspartofamultiyearCapitalproject.
E. Procurement of materials, equipment and supplies shall conform to
applicable State Bid Laws, and applicable federal rules when the
procurementisfederallyfunded.
F. ContractsforpublicworksprojectsshallconformtoapplicableStateBid
Laws, and applicable federal rules when the procurement is federally
funded.

37

G. Contractsforservicesthatarenotrequiredto besubject toapublicbid

processmandatedunderStateorfederallaw,ruleorregulationshallbe
entered into under a procurement process established by ordinance,
whichprocessshallincludetheconsiderationofqualifications,price,and
suchotherfactorsasmaybeincludedtherein.Untilsuchtimeassuchan
ordinanceisfinallyadoptedandbecomeseffective,theParishmayutilize
anyprocessinplacepriortotheadoptionofthisCharter.

Section5.07.

AmendmenttoAdoptedBudgets

A. OperatingandCapitalBudgetsmaybeamendedbyordinanceadoptedin
thesamemannerasoriginallyadopted,exceptasprovidedforherein.
B. TheamendmenttotheOperatingofCapitalBudgetsarelimitedto:
1. Thereductionofanappropriation;or
2. The transfer of funds between line item appropriations, such that
theaggregatetotalappropriationsforthefiscalyeardonotexceed
theaggregatetotalappropriationsofthefinallyadoptedbudgetfor
thatfiscalyear.
C. BudgetamendmentsshouldberecommendedbytheParishPresidentat
anytimethatitappearsasthoughsuchisnecessary,butmaybeadopted
bytheCouncilwithoutrecommendationbythePresident.
D. No budget amendment shall be adopted if it would result in the budget
violatingtheprovisionsofSection5.02(D)ofthisCharter.
E. The Parish President, without Council approval, shall have the authority
to transfer unencumbered funds from oneline item appropriation to
anotherduringthefiscalyear;exceptthatsuchauthorityshallnotallow
the transfertoorfromany line itemappropriationfor salaries of Parish
employeesorofficials.
F. Budget amendments may not be based upon an anticipated or realized
increase in aggregate revenues above those recognized in the finally
adoptedbudgets,exceptasprovidedforherein.

Section5.08.

ReserveFundandRainyDayFund
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A. ThereshallexisttwospecialfundsintheParish:theReserveFundand
theRainyDayFund.
B. TheReserveFundshallbefundedwithanappropriationineachannual
Operating Budget as provided for in Section 5.02(D), unless the
balanceintheReserveFundatthetimeofsubmissionoftheproposed
Operating Budget exceeds 3/12ths of the aggregate not Capital and
nondebtserviceexpendituresproposedintheOperatingBudget.
C. Appropriations from the Reserve Fund that would cause the balance
thereof to fall below 3/12ths of the aggregate nonCapital and non
debtserviceexpendituresproposedintheOperatingBudgetshallonly
be made during a fiscal year upon recommendation of the President
and adoption of a budget amendment approved by the affirmative
vote of at least twothirds of the entire membership of the Parish
Council.
D. Appropriations from the Reserve Fund that would not cause the
balancethereoftofallbelow3/12thsoftheaggregatenotCapitaland
nondebt service expenditures proposed in the Operating Budget
maybe approved in the same manner as an ordinary budget
amendment.
E. AproposedappropriationfromtheReserveFundmaybeincludedina
proposedOperatingBudget,ascurrentyearrevenuestobeexpended,
but such funds shall not impact the calculation of annual revenues
withregardtotheRainyDayFund.
F. Intheeventthataggregatetotalrevenuesattheendofafiscalyear,
not otherwise dedicated to bonded indebtedness or dedicated to a
specific and identifiable expenditure, exceed the aggregate total
revenues recognized in the finally adopted budgets, those excess
revenuesshallbedepositedinaspecialfund,tobeknownastheRainy
DayFund.
G. Deposits in the Rainy Day fund shall aggregate, year to year, unless
withdrawnasprovidedforherein.
H. In order for funds within the Rainy Day Fund to be appropriate for
expenditure, there must be a request by the Parish President and a
budget amendment adopted by not less than twothirds of the
membershipoftheParishCouncil.
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Section5.09.

DebtandBorrowing

A. The Parish may incur debt, including bonded indebtedness as

permittedbyLouisianalaw.
B. No election shall be held on the question of incurring bonded
indebtedness for a Capital project, until such time as preliminary
engineeringreviewand aneconomic feasibility report is madeto the
Council and a summary of which is published in the official journal,
whichpublicationshallbeatleast45dayspriortotheelection.

Section5.10.

EmergencyExpendituresandBorrowing

A. Notwithstanding the contrary provisions of this Charter, the Parish

President may make expenditures outside of the adopted
appropriationsincaseofadeclaredstateofemergency.
B. The Parish Council may, by means of an emergency ordinance,
authorize appropriations and/or borrowing to meet an emergency
need.
C. Any emergency borrowing must be paid in full in the following fiscal
year, unless properly adopted replacement borrowing is otherwise
approved.

Section5.11.

AccesstoBudgets

A. Upon final adoption copies of the Operating Budget and the Capital
BudgetshallbeprovidedbytheCouncilClerktoeachmemberofthe
Council.
B. TheCouncilClerkandtheParishPresidentshalleachmaintainacopy
of both the Operating Budget and the Capital Budget which shall be
40

available for public inspection and copying during ordinary business

hours.
C. Within30daysoffinaladoption,theOperatingBudgetandtheCapital
BudgetshallbepostedonawebsitemaintainedbytheParish.
D. Within30daysoffinaladoption,anelectroniccopyoftheOperating
BudgetandtheCapitalBudgetshallbeprovidedtothePointeCoupe
ParishLibraryBoard,through its Director,so that copes thereof may
bemaintainedatthevariouspubliclibrariesintheParish.

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ARTICLEVI
TRANSITION

Section6.01ContinuationofActions
Section6.02SpecialDistricts
Section6.03Fees,ChargesandTaxLevies
Section6.04Severability
Section6.05ScheduleofTransition
Section6.06ElectionofOfficials
Section6.07BallotProposition

Section6.01.

ContinuationofActions

A. Allwrits,actions,suits,proceedings,civilorcriminalliabilities,
prosecutions,judgments,sentences,contracts,franchises,debtorother
obligationsduebyPointeCoupeeParish,rightsorcausesofaction,
claims,demands,titlesandrightsexistingontheeffectivedateofthis
chartershallcontinueunaffected.
B. Allsentencesforpunishmentforordinanceviolationsorforcrimeshallbe
executedaccordingtotheirterms.Allactions,ordinances,and
administrativerulesandregulationsofPointeCoupeeParishinforceprior
totheeffectivedateofthischartershall,insofarastheyarenot
inconsistentwiththischarter,remaininfullforceandeffectuntil
amendedorrepealedbythecounciloruntiltheyexpirebytheirown
limitation.

Section6.02
SpecialDistricts
AnyspecialdistrictheretoforeestablishedandexistinginPointeCoupee
Parishshallcontinuetoexisttoeffectuatethepurposeforwhichitwascreated,
to complete any works begun or authorized therein, to pay the debts of the

42

districtandtolevytaxesandotherchargesasmayhavebeenormaybelegally
authorizedinthedistrict.

Section6.03.

Fees,ChargesandTaxLevies

A. Constitutionallimitationsonthemaximumpropertytaxmillagesthat
canbeleviedwithoutvoterapprovalshallcontinuetobeapplicableto
PointeCoupeeParish.
B. Nospecialassessmentforimprovementsshallbeimposedonproperty
ownersuntilsuchproposalhasbeensubmittedtotheelectorsofthe
areaaffectedinanelectioncalledforthatpurpose.Theresultsshallbe
determinedbyamajorityvoteoftheelectorsvotingontheproposal.
C. Allfees,chargesandtaxesleviedbyPointeCoupeeParishshall
continuetobeleviedbytheParishgovernmentuntilchangedbythe
councilbyordinanceorbyavoteofthepeoplewhenavoteisrequired
fortaxpurposes.
D. Receiptsfromfees,charges,rentalsandroyalties,taxes,federaland
stategrants,andsharedrevenuesandtaxesapplicabletospecial
districtswhicharelessthanparishwidegeographicallyshallbeused
onlyforservicestoberenderedinthosegeographicareas.
E. Thelevyofpropertytaxmillagesabovetheconstitutionalmaximum
previouslyapprovedbythevotersofPointeCoupeeParishoraspecial
districtshallcontinuetobeleviedbytheParishgovernmentandused
fortheapprovedpurposes.Suchleviesmaybereneweduponthe
favorablevoteoftheelectorswithinthegeographicalareainvolved.

Section6.04

Severability

If any provision of this charter is declared invalid for any reason, that
provision shall not affect the validity of this charter or any other provisions
thereof.

Section6.05.

ScheduleofTransition
43

A. The provisions of this charter pertaining to the election of Parish

governmentofficialscreatedhereundershallbecomeeffectiveonthe
datethischarterisadoptedbythevotersofPointeCoupeeParish;the
remainder of the provisions of this charter shall become effective on
thedateoftakingofficeofthenewlycreatedofficialsprovidedforby
thecharter.
B. ThischartershallbesubmittedtotheelectorsofPointeCoupeeParish
attheregularelectionsetforNovember8,2016.

Section6.06.

ElectionofOfficials

A. Thefirstelectionfortheelectiveofficescreatedbythischarter,including
Parish President and Parish Council, shall be held at the dates of the
Regular primary and general elections scheduled for the Fall of 2017, in
accordancewithLouisianalaw,October14,2017andNovember18,2017
orsuchotherdatesonwhichthoseregularelectionsareotherwiseset.
B. ThemembersoftheParishCouncilelectedfromeachoftheeightsingle
member districts shall run from one of the districts provided, which for
the election provided for in this Section shall be the same geographic
districts that were utilized for the eight singlemember districts of the
PointeCoupeeParishSchoolBoardintheregularelectionof2014.
C. The Parish President elected in accordance with this Section shall take
officeat12:00pmCentraltimeonJanuary1,2018.
D. ThemembersoftheParishCouncilelectedinaccordancewiththisSection
shalltakeofficeat12:00pmCentraltimeonJanuary1,2018.
E. The members of the Pointe Coupee Parish Police Jury shall continue to
serveuntilsuchtimeastheofficialselectedunderthisSectiontakeoffice;
at which time the office of Police Juror shall cease to exist in Pointe
CoupeeParish.
F. The Parish President and members of the Parish Council elected in
accordancewiththisSectionshallserveuntiltheirsuccessorstakeoffice.
G. There shall be an election for Parish President and the Parish Council at
theregularFallelectionsin2019,andeveryfouryearsthereafter,andthe
44

officialselectedatsuchelectionsshalltakeofficeonthesecondMonday
inJanuary,followingsuchelection.

Section6.07.

BallotProposition

ThepropositionpresentedtotheelectorsofPointeCoupeeParishattheregular
electiontobeheldonNovember8,2016shallreadasfollows:
Shall the Home Rule Charter Plan of Government for Pointe Coupee
Parish prepared and submitted by the duly constituted Home Rule
CharterCommissionaccordingtoArticleVI,Section5oftheConstitution
ofLouisianaandotherapplicablelawbeadopted?
YES_____NO_____

45