ADDIS — The Addis Town Council heard good financial news Aug. 11 when its auditor reported a clean opinion and zero findings for the fourth year in a row, capping what the auditor called a "well run ship" with a $2.1 million surplus.

Staci Joffrion of Baxley & Associates LLC presented the town's 2025 audit to the council at Addis Municipal Center.

The town's net position stands at $40.1 million, up $2.1 million from last year. Its general fund posted a surplus of $560,000, while the sewer fund finished $1.6 million in the black.

But Joffrion flagged the sewer fund's dependence on one-time money. The $1.6 million surplus included federal ARPA funds the town spent on its sewer improvement project. Strip those out, Joffrion said, and the sewer fund would have posted a $17,000 loss.

"I just want to bring awareness ... we need to monitor the fund to make sure that it can sustain itself," Joffrion said, noting that many utility departments she audits have sustained losses in recent years due to rising costs.

Sales tax revenue, the general fund's main source of income, dropped $1.3 million from 2024 to 2025.

The audit found no significant deficiencies, no material weaknesses in internal controls and no material non-compliance in either the regular audit or federal funds testing.

"I really just have to commend the town because every time I come out here, there's just an attitude of integrity and a desire to do things correctly," Joffrion said.

She also praised the town's use of Ericksen Krentel for independent review work, saying the arrangement keeps duties segregated in a small accounting office and prevents findings that plague other small municipalities.

Town Attorney Karen Day White noted the achievement deserved attention.

"I know it's not sexy, but it's a big deal," White said.

Mayor David Toups agreed: "This is our fourth year of zero findings."

The council will not have to undergo the state's agreed-upon procedures testing next year because of the clean results. The procedures are a detailed compliance review that the Louisiana Legislative Auditor requires of local governments, covering everything from payroll practices to budget controls.

Town closes on 5th Street property, eyes demolition

Under the buildings committee report, Toups told the council the town closed on the purchase of the property at 7867 5th St. earlier that day. The council approved the $50,000 cash purchase from Charles H. David Sr. at its July 14 meeting. The two-story house sits adjacent to town hall.

The town also owns a neighboring parcel at 4032 Main St.

Council member Bliss Bernard made a motion to authorize the mayor to solicit demolition bids for both properties. Kevin LeBlanc seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Council members discussed demolishing both structures as a single project to save on mobilization costs. White advised checking for asbestos given the age of the buildings.

The long-term goal is parking and potential expansion space for the Municipal Center. LeBlanc said the acquisition gives the town room to "really start picking this back up," referring to earlier discussions about the facility's future.

LMA award for John Foster homecoming

Toups opened public comments by announcing the town won a Louisiana Municipal Association award in the technology category.

The award recognized a joint project between Addis and Plaquemine to organize the homecoming celebration for John Foster, the American Idol runner-up and Addis native. Toups played the original submission video at the meeting.

"We did something a little bit different to show that communities can work together," Toups said. He credited cooperation from East Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge, Brusly and others, adding that "the big things really happened here in Addis."

Toups also announced Addis was named the No. 3 best place to live in Louisiana and No. 2 in safety, beating out Harahan, Mandeville, Broussard, Central, Sulphur, Zachary, Covington, Youngsville and Homer.

Police report: murder case, modified weapons

Police Chief Jason Langlois reported 128 citations, 192 calls for service, six misdemeanor arrests, six felony arrests and 11 auto accidents investigated in July.

Felony arrests included charges of unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, felony domestic abuse battery and domestic abuse aggravated assault.

One arrest involved a man found with two firearms modified with illegal auto switches, one an AR-style pistol and the other a handgun. Langlois said the weapons were found after officers responded to a domestic call and the suspect tried to discard them.

Langlois also provided an update on a case from early July that resulted in two arrests. Charges include domestic abuse battery with child endangerment, second-degree murder, principal to second-degree murder and obstruction of justice. WBR Independent previously reported on the case, which involved the death of a 7-year-old girl at an Addis home.

The chief also praised his officers for administering life-saving measures during a medical emergency on the highway in July. The person did not survive, but bystanders told Toups the officers' response was immediate and professional. Langlois credited the department's biennial first aid training.

Public works and sewer

Public Works Superintendent Travis Bourgoyne reported 61 residential and commercial sewer system issues in July, up slightly from recent months but typical for summer. The department handled 24 collection system issues, replaced one residential pump and another suction line corroded by age.

A new flail mower is now in service after the council declared the old John Deere unit as surplus at the same meeting. Bourgoyne said a piece of railroad iron damaged the original mower's bearings more than a year ago, and by the time he priced repairs, John Deere had discontinued the model. The cost difference between repair and replacement was about $3,000, so the town bought a different brand.

The town also contracted a tree trimming service to clear overhanging limbs from roadways, starting in the back of Addis and working toward Sixth Street, Harris Street, Main Street and other areas.

Council member Rhonda Kelley asked whether the garbage can placement problem had improved. Bourgoyne said the waste hauler addressed the issue after the town raised it. Kelley confirmed the improvement, saying the most recent pickup "looked a whole lot better."

Other business

The council approved a home occupation application for Wilbur A. Marquez-Martinez to operate a landscaping service from his property near the railroad tracks. Marquez-Martinez told the council he plans to keep three or four trucks on site and run a small office. Planning and zoning recommended approval unanimously. The council vote was also unanimous, on a motion by LeBlanc, seconded by Kelley.

Toups said the home occupation application was partly the result of the town cross-referencing its records with the parish revenue office to identify businesses operating without proper approval. "We do listen when people have suggestions," Toups said.

The Harris Street drainage project bid opening was scheduled for the day after the meeting. A road project bid opening is scheduled for Aug. 25 at 10 a.m. at the Municipal Center.

Under streets and roads, Toups asked the council's opinion on using reflective pavement markers instead of painted center lines on narrower town roads, saying the lines make the roads feel even tighter. Council members agreed the reflectors would be a reasonable alternative.

The council also approved the July minutes on a motion by Kelley, seconded by Hebert, and paid bills found in order on a motion by Kelley, seconded by Hebert.

Under correspondence, Toups listed upcoming community events: the Boo-gie Bash on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 4 to 7 p.m. featuring Snapper and the Fish Sticks, and two Rockin' on the Railroad concerts on Friday, Oct. 16, with After Eight, and Friday, Nov. 6, with Keith Frank.

The meeting adjourned on a motion by Parrish, seconded by LeBlanc.

All five council members were present: Rusty Parrish, Bliss Bernard, Rhonda Kelley, Kevin LeBlanc and Dustin Hebert.