Town officials from Cullen, La., are scheduled to appear before the state’s Fiscal Review Committee on Wednesday at 9 a.m. in Baton Rouge. The sole agenda item is Cullen’s request for a court‑appointed fiscal administrator to take control of the municipality’s finances.
Background on the crisis
State Legislative Auditor Mike Waguespack chairs the committee, which includes Attorney General Liz Murrill (or her designee) and State Treasurer John Fleming (or his designee). The panel reviews the fiscal health of local governments and, when necessary, recommends the appointment of a fiscal administrator who, by court order, assumes authority over the governing body.
The Cullen Board of Alderwomen voted last week to consent to such an appointment in hopes of accelerating the process. Mayor Pro Tem Floydean White told a specially called meeting, “We in trouble, we in trouble … and I’m trying to get us out of trouble.”
Escalating financial woes
Audits released late last year uncovered at least $100,000 missing from town accounts. Since then, the situation has worsened: employees have gone unpaid, bank accounts were closed, and patrol vehicles sit idle because the town cannot afford fuel. The investigative audit remains ongoing, with no clear completion date.
Mayor Terry Hoof resigned in July amid the emergency, refusing to answer citizen questions about recovery plans. White assumed mayoral duties, but quorum problems have hampered regular council meetings. Recent meetings have been short‑changed by absent alderwomen, forcing make‑up sessions that still lack the required number of members.
Procedural controversy
Wednesday’s meeting also sparked procedural disputes. Town clerk‑in‑training Cyerra Prevo posted a notice on the door at noon on Tuesday indicating a 5 p.m. start time, then changed it to 4 p.m. Wednesday, providing less than the 24‑hour notice required by state law. Attendees shouted, “Your meeting is out of order,” and pointed out an incorrect date on the agenda.
White acknowledged the time change but said she has written justification for the adjustment and will present it to the committee in Baton Rouge. She added that the lack of quorum directly impedes the town’s ability to address its financial crisis.
Access and transparency issues
White also reported that essential files are missing and that town staff cannot access the municipal computer system because the security code is unknown. These obstacles further limit the town’s capacity to respond to the audit’s findings and to manage day‑to‑day operations.
The upcoming hearing will give state officials a chance to evaluate whether a fiscal administrator should be appointed and to set a timeline for restoring fiscal stability to Cullen.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
