Overgrowth, Airport Issues in Monroe Budget Talks

MONROE, LA. - There were many issues talked about with the City of Monroe's Budget for the 2013-2014 year and one of those that the Monroe City Council addressed was major overgrowth in their neighborhoods.

City Council members said they've been flooded with calls and E-mails about grass growing out of control in local neighborhoods.

But according to Monroe's Public Works Department, the six mowers that they have are breaking down on a regular basis and they need six brand-new mowing tractors costing $700,000.

That's money that Public Works said they don't have.

Also on the budget list were the expenses of the Monroe Regional Airport.

During a time when the airport's tower is already being targeted for closure by federal government sequestration, it's also facing huge expenses.

"We have a terminal that's twice the size of the old terminal, so, therefore, expenses went up quite a bit, particularly in the area of repairs and maintenance," said Monroe Regional Airport Director, Ron Phillips. "That increased approximately $100,000."

Sequestration would end all military aircraft traffic to the airport, costing them money they would get providing fuel to those planes but Phillips said that financial loss would actually be small.

Other budgetary issues brought up concerning the airport was a new shuttle system taking passengers from the parking lot to the terminal, as well as an awning near the entrance so passengers would stay dry from the weather.