January 29, 2025

Fiscal Review Committee Appoints Robert Neilson as Fiscal Administrator for City of Bogalusa

On January 29, 2025, the Fiscal Review Committee voted to place the City of Bogalusa under Fiscal Administration and appointed Robert Neilson as Fiscal Administrator. See the video below. The Attorney General's Office will file a motion with the District Court in Washington Parish and the appointment must be approved by the assigned Judge. The process is expected to take between one and four weeks. 

The City was under Fiscal Administration about six years ago. Click here for some related articles from that time

Fiscal Administration is considered where a political subdivision’s fiscal stability is found to be in jeopardy. The Fiscal Administrator's authority shall include, but is not limited to, authority over budgets, contracts, personnel, and departments. Officials (elected and appointed) shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Fiscal Administrator. If a conflict arises, the Fiscal Administrator’s decision shall prevail. Click here for an Overview of Laws on Fiscal Administration

Prior to their decision, the Committee heard from their staff regarding the City's problems, including

  • declining cash balances
  • past due payables of about $2 Million, that include
  • past due payroll taxes of about $1.2 Million to the IRS and about $273,000 to the Louisiana Department of Revenue
  • past due vendor bills of about $600,000
  • water bond that is not funded as it should be
  • inappropriate transfer of funds from one account to another 
  • compliance problems with the Department of Environmental Quality
  • past due payments of $263,000 to risk management for liability/workmen's compensation insurance
  • past due payments to Fire Fighters Retirement System of about $116,000
  • delinquent audit reports for 2022 and 2023, with the City being on the non-compliance list

Also speaking to the Committee were Bogalusa Council President Gloria Kates and Vice-President Mark Irvine. The Committee heard about and asked questions regarding the Council's requests for financials and a resolution asking for a Fiscal Administrator. Also, the Committee heard about and asked questions regarding ongoing sewage issues and consultations with DEQ. Irvine emphasized the need to resolve the sewage issues, the need for clarity on credit card use, and the need to rework the 2025 budget.

The Committee heard from and asked questions of Robert Neilson. 

Apparently neither Mayor Tyrin Truong or any of his staff were present for the Committee meeting.

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