By PAUL KEDINGER

Managing Editor

The Rayne City Council signaled work on next year’s budget by introducing an ordinance to adopt an operating budget for fiscal year October 2010 to September 2011 during Monday night’s meeting.

The Council also introduced an ordinance prompted by a city resident installing solar power collection panels on his home. Under the ordinance, the city would install “net metering” equipment on the home to gauge the output of solar generated electricity vs. city-supplied electricity usage.

In other action, Council members adopted a resolution requiring an annual audit of the municipal water pollution prevention plan.

The Council also adopted a resolution seeking Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for city-wide sidewalk and drainage improvements and funding for levee improvements at the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

The Council approved the hiring of Katelyn Joy Faulk as a provisional communications officer for the Rayne Police Department and accepted Maurice Menard and Walton Thibodeaux as new Rayne Reserve recruits.

The Rayne Volunteer Fire Department was authorized to conduct a street drive on Aug. 20 and 21.

The Council accepted 2010 property tax adjustments as prepared by the parish assessor’s office totaling $690.81.

A liquor license was appoved for M&M Grocery Store on Jeff Davis.