Opelousas Daily World
May 3, 2026
OFFICAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN TAKEN AT A REGULAR TOWN MEETING HELD ON APRIL 28, 2026, AT 6:00PM AT THE ARNAUDVILLE MEETING ROOM,
107 RUE DE JAUSIERS, ARNAUDVILLE, LA 70512
PresentMayor, Todd Meche
Aldermen Jamie Huval, Virginia LeCompte, John Taylor, Debbie Kidder, Ryan Courville
Absent 0-
Town Clerk Brenda Richard
Town Attorney - Kay Theunissen
Town Engineer - Kenny Boagni (Absent)
Police Chief - Josh Ross
Utility Superintendent - Todd Abshire (Absent)
Parks and Recreation Zelma Jackson (Absent)
Called to Order Mayor Meche
Prayer Alderman John Taylor
Pledge Said by All
Old Business
Adopt March 24, 2026, Regular Town Meeting Minutes
Motion by Alderman John Taylor to adopt March 24, 2026, Regular Town Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Alderwoman Debbie Kidder. Motion carried.
Adopt Budget to Actual/Budget Comparison for March 2026Mayor Meche
Motion by Alderwoman Virginia LeCompte to adopt budget comparison for March 2026. Seconded by Alderman John Taylor. Motion carried.
Utility ReportTodd Abshire (absent)
Mayor Meche informed everyone that the Utility dept was flushing water lines, they worked on a couple of water line breaks. Everything now is running fine.
Police ReportChief Josh Ross
In regard to the Etouffee Festival, we would like to thank Carencro Police Department, Utility workers for helping with barrages & set up. Also, the school for lending metal detectors for entrances. Proud to say there were no issues on the festival grounds. Only one incident over the weekend which occurred at Butchs (Tiger Touchdown). This month 21 citations, 3 arrests, no issues in terms of maintenance. The only request for the council is to fill Ansons spot, who recently left to go to Carencro. They offered insurance which he is in need of. Would like approval from the council to hire Jace Ducote, 19-year-old male who resides in Arnaudville. Jace indicated he has a passion for Law Enforcement and wishes to pursue a career as a game warden with the State of Louisiana, after gaining some experience working with Arnaudville. Jace is aware there is a minimum 2-year commitment with the Town of Arnaudville, upon completion of his training, which he is fine with, as his family resides in Arnaudville. I would ask the council to consider the hiring of Jace Ducote as a Police Officer for the Town of Arnaudville, at a payrate of $16.00 per hour.
Motioned by Alderman Jamie Huval to hire Jace Ducote as a Police Officer at a payrate of $16.00 per hr. Seconded by Alderwoman Virginia LeCompte. Motion carried.
Parks and RecreationZelma Jackson (absent)
Mayor Meche read that the baseball tournament is this weekend and everyone is invited to join in the fun.
New Business:
A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE AD VALOREM MILLAGE RATES FOR GENERAL ALIMONY AND WATERWORKDS TO BE LEVIED ON ALL PROPERTY SUBJECTED TO TAXATION BY THE TOWN OF ARNAUDVILLE FOR TAX YEAR 2026 FOR ST LANDRY PARISH
Motioned by Alderman Jamie Huval to adopt the 2026 Ad Valorem millage for St Landry Parish. Seconded by Alderwoman Debbie Kidder. Motion carried.
YEAS: Alderman Jamie Huval, Alderwoman Virginia LeCompte, Alderman John Taylor, Alderwoman Debbie Kidder, Alderman Ryan Courville.
NAYS: -0-
ABSTAINED: -0-
ABSENT: -0-
A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE AD VALOREM MILLAGE RATES FOR GENERAL ALIMONY AND WATERWORKDS TO BE LEVIED ON ALL PROPERTY SUBJECTED TO TAXATION BY THE TOWN OF ARNAUDVILLE FOR TAX YEAR 2026 FOR ST MARTIN PARISH
Motioned by Alderwoman Debbie Kidder to adopt 2026 Ad Valorem millage for St Martin Parish. Seconded by Alderman Ryan Courville. Motion carried.
YEAS: Alderman Jamie Huval, Alderwoman Virginia LeCompte, Alderman John Taylor, Alderwoman Debbie Kidder, Alderman Ryan Courville.
NAYS: -0-
ABSTAINED: -0-
ABSENT: -0-
Beta Club fundraiser roadblock with supervision May 2, 2026
Beta club reached out to Alderman Ryan Courville for assistance in doing a fundraiser by collecting on roads. Chief Ross agreed to assist in the fundraiser, and Ryan Courville would have a firetruck parked on the side of the road to make drivers aware of what is going on. There would only be about 6 or 7 kids with parents. This will take place Saturday morning weather permitting. Alderman Ryan Courville is asking the council for permission to hold the fundraiser to help the Beta Club collect funds for a trip they are taking.
Motioned by Alderwoman Debbie Kidder to approve the fundraiser. Seconded by Alderman Jamie Huval. Motion carried.
250th birthday of America
Alderwoman Virginia LeCompte handed out sponsorship applications for the celebration. Which will be posted on our website and posted in the Lobby of Town Hall.
Up-Dates Mayor Meche
General updates
Updates by Mayor Meche are as follows:
Packages for bids have been put out to waterline replacement across from Town Hall. Bids are due May 12, 2026. The council was asked to approve the acceptance of the lowest bid by Engineer Kenny Boagni so the project can move forward.
Motion to approve the acceptance of the lowest bid was made by Alderman Jamie Huval. Seconded by Alderman Ryan Courville. Motion carried.
A $35,000.00 CWEF grant will go towards this repair. Should have more information next month on the start date for the replacement of gas meters. This project will need to be done in 2 phases due to the type of meters that are in now. Some are old and some will only require the face being changed.
An agreement was signed with Gillory Oil for the incorporating of the grocery store into the Town of Arnaudville. Next months meeting an ordinance will be ready to be voted on.
Adjourn
Motioned by Alderwoman Debbie Kidder to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Alderman Ryan Courville. Motion carried.
Attest:
__________________
Brenda Richard, Town Clerk
__________________
Todd Meche, Mayor
12294678 5/3/26 ($114.84)
Miscellaneous Notices