By Paige Gurgainers

The Town of Sibley held its monthly town hall meeting Monday, May 11, with Mayor Robert Smart providing updates on town finances, infrastructure projects and upcoming improvements.

Smart opened the meeting by introducing three ordinances related to the town’s finances and compensation structure. The first two ordinances addressed the adoption of an amended 2026 budget and the proposed budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. The third ordinance focused on establishing compensation for the municipality’s elected officials and employees.

Public hearings for all three ordinances are scheduled to take place during the June 8 meeting.

The council also approved three resolutions requesting assistance from the Webster Parish Police Jury for ditching work and the purchase of sand, clay and gravel for town projects. Those resolutions will be added to the agenda ahead of the police jury’s next monthly meeting for consideration.

Another resolution established a travel policy for elected officials, employees and representatives in an effort to ensure responsible use of public funds and strengthen documentation during the auditing process.

“As much fraud as there is going on and it’s a part of our auditing process, so I want to make sure we are on the up and up on what we are doing,” Smart said. “I am not by any means saying that we are not, but I want to make sure we have our documentation in place for this.”

During the mayor’s report, Smart also shared several updates on ongoing town improvement projects. He announced that fencing has now been installed at the town’s new playground and said plans are underway to announce a grand opening event ahead of the summer season.

Smart also informed residents that the town’s new water filters are now online and operating properly.

“As of right now everything is working like it should and hopefully everything lined out,” Smart said.

Looking ahead, Smart said the town will soon begin a water tank rehabilitation project. Once completed, approximately 300 water meters throughout town will be replaced as part of an effort to fully transition Sibley to radio-read meters.

According to Smart, the new system will allow the town’s water meter readings to become fully automated.