The Brusly Town Council voted Monday to adopt its 2026-2027 budget, approving a spending plan that projects expenses will outpace revenue by $502,010.

Council Member Kershaw was direct about what that means.

"We are adopting a $502,000 deficit budget," Kershaw said. "We cannot continue down this same path."

The deficit is legal under Louisiana law because the town's fund balance — the money it has in reserve, exceeds the shortfall. Brusly enters the new fiscal year with approximately $3.7 million in surplus. At the current rate, that cushion would last roughly six years.

But council members made clear Monday they do not intend to let it get that far.

"Certainly that's not sustainable," Council Member Daigle said. "I do concur that we'll definitely have to start scrutinizing expenses more, whether it's in equipment, technology, recreation. Something is going to have to give because the income has been so variable, it's not a constant."

Rhodes acknowledged the town may need to take a step back on some planned spending, including the street overlay program and the 125th anniversary celebration , if revenues do not improve.

"It's our duty and my duty to make sure we get the expenses in line, sales tax or not," Rhodes said.

Kershaw added that he did not want a knee-jerk reaction, but said the town needed to keep a close watch on spending.

"I just think that we're trying to be good stewards," Kershaw said.

Budget Adjustments Approved

Before adopting the new budget, the council passed final adjustments to the closing 2025-2026 fiscal year.

The town's income came in $301,100 below original projections, driven by a $200,000 drop in traffic fine revenue and a $200,000 shortfall in sales tax collections. A $13,000 increase in insurance license revenue and $74,400 in grant income partially offset those losses.

On the expense side, the town finished $40,800 under budget, leaving a total budget adjustment of $260,300.

The sewer fund adjustment was approved separately. That figure, a net adjustment of $94,862.53, largely reflects Water Sewer Project grant funds that were distributed and spent on the town's ongoing water and sewer infrastructure project.

Street Overlay Paid Out

The council also approved the first and final payment application for the 2026 street overlay project. The total due to the contractor is $186,956.92, which includes a previously approved change order of $7,728.84 for base failures discovered during construction. The town withheld $20,772.99, 10% retainage, pending completion of remaining work.

Striping on North Labauve Avenue is the last outstanding item, held up by weather. Final payment will follow once that work is done.

Rezoning Approved at 207 Jones Drive

The council approved Ordinance No. 1 of 2026, rezoning the front portion of 207 Jones Drive from C-1 light commercial to R-1 single-family residential. The Torres family plans to build a home on the front half of the lot. The rear portion will remain C-1, where storage buildings currently stand.

The ordinance was not on the original agenda. The council voted to amend the agenda before taking up the item.

Drainage concerns raised at the committee meeting were addressed with an engineering map showing water flow across the property. Officials said no major drainage improvements are required for the lot at its current size.

What's Next

The new 2026-2027 budget takes effect July 1, 2026. The town's approved spending plan includes $273,000 for drainage improvements, $150,000 for street overlay work, and $10,000 for Brusly's 125th anniversary celebration planned for October.

The sewer budget includes a significantly increased depreciation expense following confirmation that the town's new sewer plant has reached substantial completion. The town's auditor directed officials to begin depreciating the facility over 40 years, a non-cash accounting entry that affects the budget figures but not actual spending.

Other Business

The council approved a letter of no objection for the sale of beer and alcohol at Alexander Park, 250 Elaine Street, during the annual Brusly High School Alumni Softball Tournament scheduled for July 10-11, 2026. The letter, co-signed by Mayor Rhodes and West Baton Rouge Parish President Jason Manola, was submitted to the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control. Officials noted a date error in the letter's body and said it would be corrected before signing.

The council also noted that Town Hall will be closed Friday, July 3, 2026, in observance of the Independence Day holiday.