LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) –  The Lafayette City-Parish Council just received the recommendations of a committee tapped to determine funding for the future of the city and parish. The recommendations were presented during Tuesday’s council meeting.

The committee identified the areas of greatest need to be drainage, parks and recreation, roads and bridges, police and fire protection, and the parish courthouse and jail.

Two years ago – city-parish councilman Kevin Naquin selected five Lafayette Parish residents to stake out the future needs and funding sources of the parish. That would help determine if the city could continue to provide current services with the money it has now.

Naquin says the committee says the answer is no. “We are going to need new revenue streams no matter how you look at it.  Yes we can nickel and dime it.  We can make some adjustments,” explains Naquin.

For example, the committee recommends establishing three to five drainage districts with property taxes dedicated solely to those areas. When it comes to parks and recreation – the committee found the millage for that agency generates $2-point-6 million dollars – but the budget is seven million. The committee says that tax is inadequate and needs to be brought up to date. Naquin says he supports the dedicated funding source idea.

“It’s not just going to a general fund. It’s going to drainage districts and fire districts. We have to identify projects that are needed and have those sources of revenue go directly to those areas,” notes Naquin.

First generation farmer and Future Needs Committee Chairman Chad Hanks says the key is not just revenue – it’s that both the city and Lafayette Parish have dire needs that aren’t being met. “We have an infrastructure that’s collapsing.  We got an infrastructure that cannot handle the amount of volume coming through.  We got drainage issues. Last couple of months, there have been people in the Northside of the parish with property loss and damages.  You look at the needs,” adds Hanks.

The committee told the LCG Council to look at the parish and city’s current situation. LCG calculates the budget prepping process for the upcoming fiscal year will begin with a deficit in the parish general fund. “The needs are outpacing revenue streams,” says Hanks.