FERRIDAY — Following a discussion at December’s board meeting about expenses being up and revenue being down compared to last year, Ferriday aldermen agreed to ask state auditors to review the town’s finances.

Alderman Glenn Henderson made a motion to ask the Louisiana Legislative Auditor to review finances after announcing the town’s payroll has been approximately $60,000 more since July compared to the same time period last year, and revenues have been down approximately $100,000.

“I think they need to come in, monitor and make sure we get on course in doing things the right way,” Henderson said Friday. “The main office and the police station have had issues.

“We made promises, we had our platform of how we would move the town forward, and we need to stick to taking care of the town and the community and not get personal about it. We have got to manage the town like a business.”

During the meeting, Alderwoman Chryl Smith Lee said she was concerned about payroll at town hall, the police department and the fire department.

Mayor Sherrie Jacobs could not be reached for comment.

At the fire department, Chief Joe Sontoyo said the only difference compared to last year is the firefighters received a 50-cent per hour raise.

Sontoyo said he did not know what percentage of the $60,000 increase was due to the fire department, but he said he thinks it is low.

Just like last year, Sontoyo said the fire department is made up of a crew of six people, counting himself.

“That’s all we have got, and that’s all we have ever had,” he said.

Ferriday Police Department Assistant Chief Bruce Wiley said Thursday that currently the station is staffed adequately. However, at times throughout the year, Wiley said the station has been understaffed, which has led to more overtime.

Wiley said he did not have numbers for what portion the police have made up in the $60,000.

Henderson said he did not have a specific breakdown, just that the increase was in the payroll expense in the general fund.

During the meeting Tuesday, Alderwoman Gail Pryor said the town has more employees compared to this time last year.

Alderman Johnnie Brown asked for job descriptions of all town employees, and Henderson said it was a good thing he did. Henderson said the town cannot act as an employment service for friends and family — Ferriday needs the best people for the right positions.

“When your revenue is not what it was and you have increased expenses in payroll, you will get to the point where you can’t pay your people and you can’t pay your partners, the local vendors,” Henderson said. “When we came in, we didn’t have to borrow any money. The previous regime had done a good job managing the town day to day, and we have gotten away from that.”

Alderwoman Gloria Lloyd said she did not want to see the town borrow money because payroll  is too high. She said the town might have to make cuts.

“If we borrow to pay our employees, then the bank will want to be paid,” Lloyd said. “Then we will have a problem with the bond commission.

“You can’t borrow yourself out of debt.”

Henderson said he wasn’t trying to throw anyone under the proverbial bus; he just wanted to see the town do the right thing.

“It is time for the community to grow,” Henderson said. “The previous regime, they took the town to a certain point, and the citizens said it is time to take the next step in the voting booth.

“It is (Jacobs) and (our) responsibility to take it to the next step.”