Mandeville News

  Mandeville Mayor Faces Legal Action Over Withheld Fiscal Data Amidst Transparency Concerns Press Release for Jeff Lyons MANDEVILLE, LA  — In a move that underscores the growing demand for transparency in local government, Jeff Lyons, a committed citizen advocate and mayoral candidate, has initiated legal proceedings against the City of Mandeville. The lawsuit, filed in the 22nd Judicial Court, aims to compel Mayor Clay Madden to disclose the overdue end-of-fiscal-year budget and General Fund balance report for 2023, a document mandated by the city charter to be shared with the city council and the public within 45 days of the fiscal year's conclusion. Despite repeated requests from Councilman at Large Rick Danielson, the report remains unpublished, breaching the charter's 45-day requirement and now exceeding a 136-day delay. Concerns were amplified when the city's finance director, Kathleen Sides, assured during a January 31st special budget meeting that the finalized fig...

  Dear Citizens of Mandeville, I wanted to reach out to make you aware of some serious issues regarding the current finances in Mandeville. Mayor Madden has severely violated the public trust by witholding important financial information which the City Charter requires be produced within 45 days of the end of the fiscal year. The "final" and completed financial report was due 15 Oct 2023. We are now 4 months past the deadline in the fiscal year for 2024. Mandeville Tax Increase due to reckless spending. Photo by Michael Blache Councilman at large Rick Danielson has repeatedly asked that this information be made public at council meetings and special budget meetings however, the mayor has yet to provide the reports. There have been at least 2 public information requests for the report that have failed to be properly answered by the city attorney. Moreover, the city finance director and the mayor have several times promised to post the information on the city website but have f...