Bottom Line Up Front: Port Allen City Council approved hiring an experienced officer returning to the department, introduced ordinances increasing utility deposits and reconnect fees, and received updates on correcting 2023-24 audit findings.

PORT ALLEN — The Port Allen City Council conducted regular business Wednesday night, addressing personnel decisions, utility rate adjustments, and ongoing efforts to resolve issues identified in last year's audit.

Experienced Officer Returns Home

The council unanimously approved hiring Eric Reineke, a veteran officer returning to Port Allen Police Department after previous service with the agency and subsequent work with St. John Parish and Baton Rouge Police Department.

Police Chief Donovan Mitchell introduced Reineke, highlighting his extensive background and character.

"Quick background on him. He started out with us back in 2016 as a reserve, and eventually he was hired on with us," Mitchell explained. "He worked with us for a little over a year before going to St. John and then BRPD, where he just recently left and wanted to come back here."

Impressive Credentials

Reineke detailed his qualifications and commitment to public service during the meeting.

"I was fortunate to volunteer here for almost two years before being hired full time. I didn't make any money. I was a paramedic and a flight paramedic for Acadian Ambulance," Reineke said. "God called me to be a police officer. I firmly believe that."

His service record includes:

• 22 letters of commendation
• Four life-saving awards
• Medal of Valor
• EMS Medal of Honor
• SWAT team member as both medic and negotiator
• Response to 2016 Baton Rouge law enforcement shooting

Reineke emphasized his approach to policing: "I'm able to take the compassion I learned in the medical field and translate it to being a police officer."

Chief Mitchell, who previously supervised Reineke at Port Allen, vouched for his character and work ethic.

"When Chief Mitchell said he was going to run for chief, I thought he was crazy," Reineke said with a laugh. "He was actually my direct supervisor when I worked here. So he knows my work ethic. He knows my character. He knows the values that I hold for the community."

The hire was approved unanimously.

Utility Rate Adjustments Address Operational Challenges

The council introduced two ordinances addressing ongoing challenges with unpaid utility bills and the costs of service disconnections.

Deposit Increases

Mayor Pattan explained that current deposit amounts fail to cover costs when customers move without notice, leaving the city responsible for unpaid balances.

"We get left with plenty of bills. Especially in the cold months, the deposits don't cover enough of the cost that residents leave and move somewhere else," Pattan said. "We don't know that they're gone. They don't call us to tell us that they have moved."

Proposed changes include:

• Residential water: $75 to $100
• Commercial water: $75 to $100
• Residential gas: $125 to $200
• Commercial gas: $200 to $300

Councilwoman Charlene Gordon made the motion to introduce the ordinance, with Councilman Gary Hubble seconding. The measure passed unanimously.

Reconnect Fee Increases

The council also introduced an ordinance increasing reconnect fees from $10 per meter to $50 per meter.

"Currently our reconnect fees are $10. That gets no one's attention for a cutoff," Pattan said. "Our cutoff list takes about two weeks to do, and it is probably about 12 to maybe more pages. It is gas and water that our meter readers have to go out to turn off and on every month."

When one council member noted the significant increase, Pattan invited discussion.

"I know I saw someone say that was a lot. So this is the time to discuss it," she said.

After no objections were raised, the ordinance was introduced with Councilwoman Gordon making the motion and Councilwoman April King seconding. The measure passed unanimously.

Both ordinances will require final approval at the next council meeting before taking effect.

Audit Compliance Progress

Finance Director Adrian Daigle provided monthly updates on correcting issues identified in the city's 2023-24 audit.

The council approved:

• Resolution adopting the 2024-25 Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire required by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor
• Monthly progress report on resolving audit findings

"This is something that has to be done yearly," a city official explained. "The auditors have already done the paperwork on it. It's for information purposes, but the council still would have to approve the resolution to go ahead and process it."

Daigle's monthly reports track exactly what has been done to correct items identified by auditors, ensuring the city addresses all compliance concerns.

"Every month, he has to report to the council exactly what has been done to correct all these items," the official said. "We're just chugging along, taking care of everything we're supposed to take care of. So that we can have as close to a good audit as possible."

Both items passed unanimously.

Gas Billing Error Correction Acknowledged

Mayor Pattan publicly addressed a gas billing error discovered in March 2025 that was corrected before the October 1st billing cycle.

"It was put on the utility bills about the mistake that was caught. But it was still said that she, which is me, should have publicly said something. I thought reaching everyone on the utility bills would be the best way," Pattan explained.

What Happened

The gas company that supplies Port Allen provided incorrect information in March, resulting in incorrectly calculated gas rates for approximately two months of billing.

"Once we corrected it, once we figured out what was wrong, we had to consult with our computer company to see how to fix it," Pattan said.

The fix required everyone out of the system for approximately six hours, so the city waited until the fiscal year hard close on September 30th to implement corrections without disrupting operations or affecting draft payment customers.

Customer Impact

All bills from the affected period were reversed and recalculated. The balance was placed in the past due column to distinguish it from current charges, but customers who had paid their bills were not penalized with late fees.

"If you paid your bill, you are not penalized on the past due," Pattan emphasized. "You were not charged a penalty if you didn't already have a past due."

The explanation was included in remarks on utility bills to reach all customers, both residential and commercial.

Address Correction for Nuisance Property

Pattan also publicly corrected an error from a recent committee meeting where the wrong address was announced for a nuisance property.

Property owner Mr. Caruso came to city hall upset about the mistake, and Pattan apologized both to him directly and publicly at the council meeting.

The correct address is 630 South 14th Street, not 622 South 14th Street as previously stated.

Upcoming Community Events

Pattan announced several upcoming events:

This Weekend:

• Port Allen High Cancer Walk, Saturday 9 AM (register online)

October 25th:

• Hazardous waste collection
• Shiloh Baptist Church 557th Street annual breast cancer awareness health fair and walk, 8 AM (blood donation available, wear pink)

October 26th:

• Nightmare on 4th Street at City Hall (volunteers and participants with decorated vehicles still needed)

Pattan thanked Ms. Lynette for handling the citizenship award arrangements.

Monthly Financial Report

Daigle presented the monthly financial report for informational purposes. The report provides detailed budget balances and spending percentages for all city departments.

Council members with questions can contact Daigle, who returns to the office Monday following the meeting.

The report passed as informational only.

West Palm Estates Sign

The West Palm Estates subdivision sign replacement was removed from the agenda after Councilwoman Charlene Gordon contested the city's responsibility to replace it for a second time during the Oct 1st, meeting.

Looking Ahead

The council reported no condemnations this month and no new alcohol beverage permits.

The next regular council meeting will include final votes on the utility deposit and reconnect fee ordinances introduced Wednesday night.

The Port Allen City Council meets on the first and second Wednesday of each month at 5:30 PM. Meetings are open to the public and held at Port Allen City Hall.

Story at WBRIndependent.com

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