The Webster Parish Police Jury adopted their 2018 budget at a public meeting Tuesday. Among the changes from the previous budget are several cuts to line items in the General Fund.
These cuts add up to almost $42,000 across eight line items. The largest of these is the cut of the Arts/Museums item, which previously held a $15,000 allotment.
This stoppage of funds will most directly affect the Dorcheat Historical Museum and Cultural Crossroads of Minden, both of which have been allotted a steadily decreasing sum in the budget until now.
Ronda Carnahan, Police Jury Secretary-Treasurer, said these changes are part of a cost-cutting effort, but they do not represent a significant change by themselves.
“This really does not impact the overall budget,” she said. “The jurors were just trying to cut any un-mandated expenses due to budget restraints, with each year having new restrictions from state and federal agencies. The money not budgeted will go back into the General Fund to off-set any unforeseen expenses.”
The budget was presented at a public hearing Tuesday prior to the vote. No one in attendance made a comment during the hearing, after which the police jury passed the budget unanimously.