How are the members of the north Lake Charles board chosen, and how much are they paid?

Under Louisiana R.S. 33:4720.191, the Lake Charles North Redevelopment Authority board must have five members, each appointed by different state and local officials from the panel’s territory — the area between the Calcasieu River and Broad Street and between Hodges Street and Bunker Road.

One member each is appointed by the lawmakers for state House District 34 and state Senate District 27; one member is appointed by the Lake Charles mayor; one is appointed by the Police Jury member or members for the authority’s territory; and one is picked by the City Council member or members for the area.

Authority members serve four-year terms and receive no pay. But, the law says, “the board may reimburse any member for expenses actually incurred in the performance of duties on behalf of the authority.”

“Each board member shall be a citizen of the United States, a domiciliary of and a qualified voter in the city of Lake Charles for at least one year preceding the date of appointment, and shall remain a domiciliary of and a qualified voter of such jurisdiction during the entirety of the term of office,” reads the statute.

“Furthermore, each board member shall be of good character and shall possess some skill, knowledge, or experience that will prove useful in the accomplishment of the goals of the authority.”

Those goals, listed in the statute, include “the prevention and elimination of slum, blighted, and distressed properties”; promoting economic development and job creation; improving public health and safety; and providing aid to government and nonprofit groups to support initiatives that benefit residents.

Because it’s a public body, the authority must abide by state auditing requirements. But according to the state Legislative Auditor’s Office, the authority — included on the state’s noncompliance list — has failed to submit sworn financial statements over the last three years.

The members of the authority board are Kathleen Dorsey Bellow, Walter Guidry, Debra Guillory, Nypheteria Clophus and Craig Marks.

 

Online: www.legis.la.gov; www.lcnra.org; www.lla.la.gov.

 

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The Informer answers questions from readers each Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. It is researched and written by Andrew Perzo, an American Press staff writer. To ask a question, call 494-4098 and leave voice mail, or email informer@americanpress.com.