SEDD's Suspect Performance

Former Southside Economic Development District (SEDD) member Charles Theus is once again back in his old position as Executive Director of the organization after board members voted to rehire him. Theus was fired back in September 2021 for alleged “poor performance” in his position by SEDD in a move that may have caught some, if not many city residents by surprise. The organization has come under some tough times, as it has been locked out of its regular meeting place because of issues dealing with funds that have been under scrutiny by the city of Monroe. They had been locked out for months from meeting in their SEDD office, as utilities had been turned off for non-payment of its bills. Because of issues with the city concerning funds available to the group, a meeting was held at an alternative site. Even at that meeting, tensions were said to be high, as there appeared to be some serious disagreements over Theus’ rehiring and how the group was going to move forward. One of the sticking points concerning Theus was the issue of back pay. Board members had to decide if Theus was going to receive back pay from September 2021 to his recent rehiring. A board member asked the question, and another member expressed that Theus should receive the money if he is owed it by SEDD. Another board member countered that Theus shouldn’t be paid because there has not been a “single project” done under his watch in his tenure as executive director. Money has allegedly been spent on other things not related to any perceived projects but on items such as cars, staff, and other things. According to reports and a released audit, revenue that goes to SEDD from a 2017 hotel tax was not properly spent, leading the city of Monroe to withhold funds for SEDD to continue to operate. The audit report said that SEDD was “illegally” spending money on items that were forbidden by the state of Louisiana. The lack of a viable project on the drawing board was met with strong words exchanged by board members, as a board member said “nothing has been done” for the people on the southside. One board member said that salaries should be paid for results, which he hasn’t seen. There was also some criticism leveled at a board member, as he was allegedly accused of giving information to the state auditor concerning SEDD's alleged spending practices. Still, a board member strongly disputed the state auditor’s findings, saying that what was alleged was not true and that SEDD could not be audited “as a component” of the city of Monroe. SEDD is to be seen as independent of the city of Monroe and that it “does not need” city approval to get an economic plan approved. The back and forth went on between board members, where things appeared to get personal, with a particular board member allegedly becoming the center of the conflict. Three board members voted to bring Theus back when the vote was finally taken. A Board member who has also expressed reservations over getting Theus back and a board member voted against his return abstained. The issue that concerns southside residents has been the economic development that was said to be the reason for the creation of SEDD. It was a hard-fought victory just to get the hotel tax measure on the ballot and to convince voters in Districts 3,4, and 5 to support the measure that may seem hollow to many. In so many respects, Monroe is a “tale of two cities” and has been that way for a long time. There is economic development going on at the riverfront location, a project that Mayor Ellis lobbied to happen. Will the benefits trickle down to the southside? That is a good question, as the answer seems fleeting now. Perhaps SEDD needs “an injection” of new blood from those who have the experience to get things done but not at the expense of SEDD losing its identity. First, the infighting has to stop, as the city leaders of Districts 3,4, and 5 should seek a solution that can help move SEDD in the direction it needs if it intends to make up some ground. SEDD transparency is needed, along with an account of the money SEDD has received as a public record of accountability.