By Tiffany Flournoy
CULLEN — A Monday evening Town of Cullen Board of Aldermen meeting broke down amid repeated procedural interruptions involving Town Clerk UnTracy Brittentine before Mayor Terry Hoof adjourned the session during a final heated exchange involving an administrative employee and an elected official.
The meeting, intended for approval of minutes and routine financial matters, instead became marked by repeated interruptions during council business, disputes over documentation, and ongoing disagreement regarding police department funding and financial reporting.
Missing Minutes Raise Immediate Concerns
During agenda item seven, Alderwoman Barbara Green questioned why the March 2026 minutes were not included in council packets.
“I question the agenda that was received… the minutes were not included in the notice we got,” Green said.
It was later noted the minutes had been included in a prior packet but were absent from the current one.
Brittentine said she had “concluded that it was a waste of paper to recopy them.”
Green replied, “That’s not legal.”
Brittentine responded, “That’s not legal—it wasn’t legal two years ago either, but we did it.”
The board approved the minutes 3–1, with Green opposed. Alderwoman Bianchi Veall was absent.
Financial Records and Police Budget Dispute
The board then approved March financial statements in a 3–1 vote, again with Green dissenting over the absence of a police department budget.
Discussion shifted to a request for tires for a police cruiser.
Mayor Terry Hoof said the town lacked funds.
“At this time, we don’t have the funds to purchase tires right now… we don’t have the finances to purchase tires for the police car,” Hoof said.
Green asked when funding would become available.
Hoof reiterated that no funds were available.
Brittentine interrupted, stating council members receive monthly financial packets. Green responded that the documents were incomplete without a police budget.
Brittentine asked what was missing and said Green should address it with her predecessor, stating, “I can only account for what I’ve done since I’ve been here. I’m not going to be held accountable for somebody else’s.”
Alderwoman Denise Epps-Hoof moved to table the tire request, seconded by Alderwoman Yolanda Castleman.
Before a vote could be taken, Brittentine interjected again, announcing changes to financial procedures, saying bills would be presented monthly before payment and that the police department would operate under a dedicated fund structure.
No vote was taken before the meeting ended.
Budget Timing and Police Access Concerns
Hoof said the police chief would receive her budget next month for the 2026–2027 fiscal year, which begins next month. Rankin has repeatedly stated she has not had access to her budget since taking office in early 2025.
Escalation Over Budget and Control
Rankin said, “I will not accept a budget as low as it is because of the debt that was in that police department when I got there.”
A brief exchange followed between Rankin and Brittentine before Rankin said she was done discussing police business for the evening.
Procedural Framework
The meeting also raised procedural questions under Louisiana’s Lawrason Act, which designates the mayor as presiding officer responsible for maintaining order under La. R.S. 33:404 and 33:405.
Attorney General opinions emphasize the mayor’s authority to enforce procedure, though they are advisory.
The exchanges involving Brittentine highlighted concerns over the boundaries between administrative and legislative roles during council proceedings.
Final Exchanges and Adjournment
Brittentine later said she was “tired of being bullied” and addressed internal procedures within the clerk’s office moving forward, despite no request from the council for remarks.
Her comments expanded into a broader explanation of internal operations and procedures, shifting discussion away from agenda items before the board.
When Green again raised concerns about missing minutes, Hoof responded, “They’re not there,” before Brittentine interrupted, saying he “can’t answer for them” and that the issue should have been directed to her predecessor.
She also said she had been written up, referencing a prior reprimand without further detail.
Brittentine added she had contacted Rankin regarding a matter involving the reason for that reprimand.
Rankin responded from across the room, stating Brittentine had called her personal phone inquiring about hearing the chief was supposed to arrest her.
As the exchange continued, Hoof struck the gavel and adjourned the meeting.