By Pat Culverhouse

Beginning June 1, the cost of violating the law in Sibley will be going up following a unanimous vote by the town’s board of aldermen Monday.

Board members approved a new ordinance that established increased penalties for moving and non-moving, speeding and other violations in a move Sibley Mayor Robert Smart said is necessary to fund the operation of the town’s police department.

“After evaluating the fines for offenses charged by towns in our area, we found we are lower than most,” Smart said. “We don’t get all the money from those fines. About thirty to thirty-five percent goes to other agencies, and we can’t operate a police department on the collections.”

Smart said Sibley’s new structure does not increase fines beyond the average of other communities. Largest fines established will be $500 for contributing to a minor-alcohol, and $300 fines for contributing to a minor-tobacco, littering and possession of CDS Sch. I.

According to the new ordinance, fines do not include Sibley Mayor’s Court costs or the state of Louisiana’s mandated fees. Those will be added to each violation. Penalties could also include imposing a jail sentence of up to but not in excess of 30 days.

Also Monday, Sibley’s board set June 6 as the date for public hearings on three proposed ordinances, including two involving adoption of the town’s budget. One amends the budget for fiscal year ending June 30 of this year; the other adopts the budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.

A third ordinance scheduled for public hearing establishes compensation for municipal elected officials and municipal employees of the town.