ST. LANDRY PARISH — Tuesday night, the St. Landry Parish Council held a special meeting to introduce an ordinance for a $4.6 million bond. The meeting wrapped up quickly, but the financial debate is far from over.

Parish President Jessie Bellard has acknowledged the parish is facing budget challenges — struggling to cover debts and day-to-day expenses. Without financial assistance, Bellard warned, portions of the parish government could be forced to shut down.

Documents sent to the Louisiana State Bond Commission this month show the parish could run out of money by the end of the month — leaving a deficit of about $1 million.

Bellard pushed back on the idea that the parish is “broke.”

“Whenever someone says the Parish is broke, we are not broke. The general fund is taking a lick, but w

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