Calcasieu Parish police jurors approved the $395.1 million operating budget for 2022 at Thursday’s regular meeting.

The upcoming budget is down less than 1 percent from the $397.9 million in the current year’s spending plan. Nearly 30 percent, or $115 million, is dedicated to ongoing recovery from Hurricanes Laura and Delta, down from the $148 million in this year’s budget.

Of the disaster-related spending, $74 million will cover the clearing of hurricane debris from drainage laterals. Just over $40 million will be spent on the repair of parish buildings and facilities, one being the parish jail.

Parish Administrator Bryan Beam told the Budget Committee Nov. 18 about the various long-term post-hurricane recovery challenges. Addressing the lack of affordable housing is one of the biggest hurdles, but the parish is going in the right direction, he said..

While occupational license renewals have dropped roughly 30 percent from 2019, Beam said the economic outlook appears promising heading into 2022. Economic forecasts show non-farm employment growing in Calcasieu and Cameron parishes next year and into 2023.

Sales and property tax revenue remained strong, despite a projection in last year’s budget that it would fall by 25 percent. The hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic did little to impact the region’s petrochemical sector, he added.

More than $30 million in gaming revenue is projected next year, up from $21.2 million anticipated this year.

The parish is expected to increase next year’s operations budget by 12.2 percent, adding 24 parish employees throughout all departments, as well as a 5 percent wage adjustment. The parish also plans to improve its two solid waste collection centers, equipment for public works and a new airplane for mosquito control.

The 2022 budget includes nearly $130 million in capital projects, with $73.1 million dedicated to road and bridge work, $28.3 million on major facilities, $12.6 million on stormwater management and $10.1 million on the courthouse complex and jail.

To view the entire budget report, visit calcasieuparish.gov.