Jefferson Parish Council Approves 2013 Budget

JEFFERSON, La. (AP) — The Jefferson Parish Council has approved a $562 million budget for 2013 that will essentially maintain services at current levels, but will invest relatively little to fix aging infrastructure.

In a unanimous vote Wednesday, The Times-Picayune reports (http://bit.ly/QWPOGc ) council members passed Parish President John Young's proposal to spend $420 million to run parish operations and $65 million for brick-and-mortar projects.

Council members amended Young's proposal at the last minute to put on hold a proposed expense of $1.5 million from an east bank fire millage to help pay for a communication tower and equipment.

Council members said they wanted to make sure the expense is the best alternative for the parish, and that they could approve if in January once they have more information.