Melville, a small fishing town of 746 residents in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana, has faced decades of administrative and infrastructure challenges. Situated along the Atchafalaya River, the town struggled with incomplete financial records, stalled federal projects, and deteriorating water and sewer systems. When Mayor Caretta Robertson took office on January 23, 2023, she inherited a town rich in history but burdened by mismanagement — scattered files, outdated records, and financial instability were hampering revitalization efforts.

For years, Melville had difficulty accessing federal and state resources to improve its infrastructure. In December 2018, the town secured $4.39 million from USDA Rural Development to modernize its failing water system, identified as one of Louisiana’s “Most Distressed” drinking water systems. The town also received a sewer loan, highlighting its urgent infrastructure needs. However, financial mismanagement and compliance issues prevented progress on these critical upgrades.

CU Steps In

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the Community Infrastructure Team at Communities Unlimited (CU) stepped in to help town leadership navigate these roadblocks. CU’s involvement began in July 2023 when former Louisiana State Senator Donald Cravins Sr. connected with Mayor Robertson, which led to an initial meeting with CU’s Louisiana State Coordinator, Chris Brunson, and Community Environmental Management Specialist, Stacey Scarce. They quickly uncovered severe financial and administrative deficiencies, including uncompleted audits, stacks of unprocessed customer checks, uncollected water payments, and a lack of reserve funds for infrastructure projects.

Stacey Scarce took the lead in addressing these issues, providing direct technical assistance to bring Melville back into compliance and restructure its financial processes. One of her first tasks was conducting a rate study, which revealed significant gaps in financial records and the town’s inability to collect adequate revenue. Stacey also helped navigate the Community Facilities (CF) grant process, ensuring that Melville could submit a new application for a tractor after the stalled CF application for a backhoe and excavator had to be rejected. While there is no guarantee they will receive the grant, as funding ran out last year when it was initially submitted, there is hope that it will be funded in 2025.

Melville’s financial struggles extended beyond missing records. The town’s outdated municipal billing system had failed to collect revenue for years, leading to a growing deficit. By 2021, inconsistent billing practices and unmonitored accounts left reserve funds empty for over a decade. CU worked with town officials to implement a long-overdue rate increase and train staff on Excel for late payment tracking. These changes allowed Melville to better monitor revenue collection and stabilize its finances.

With CU’s assistance, the town also overcame administrative hurdles that had previously stalled its USDA water loan. This progress enabled Melville to apply for a Water Sector Grant through the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality’s (LDEQ) Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). Their persistence paid off in February 2025 when Melville was awarded an additional $2.8 million in state funding to complete its long-awaited water infrastructure project.

Infrastructure Progress and Financial Turnaround

Thanks to these efforts, Melville is now making tangible progress. Nearly all of its aging water lines will be replaced, addressing long-standing leaks and inefficiencies. Water meters will be installed for the first time to prevent illegal tapping and ensure accurate billing. The town’s outdated water main will be upgraded, and a rusted, nonfunctional water tower will be removed. Fortunately, Melville’s other water tower remains operational, eliminating the need for a costly replacement.

Financially, the town has made significant strides. Before CU’s assistance, Melville’s utilities were operating at a loss, with an $86,459 shortfall for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023. With CU’s support in financial restructuring and rate adjustments, the projected loss for 2024 was reduced to $44,235, cutting the deficit nearly in half. Now, just four months into the 2025 fiscal year, Melville has a $9,533 surplus and is projected to end the year with a $28,599 surplus. These improvements highlight the effectiveness of CU’s work in helping the town regain financial stability and move from operating at a deficit to achieving sustainable growth.

Additionally, CU’s assistance in bringing Melville’s sewer loan and grant into compliance was crucial for moving forward with its water system upgrades. With compliance issues resolved, the town is now progressing with a $1,166,000 USDA loan and a $3,224,000 USDA grant for water infrastructure improvements. The upcoming bid process represents a major milestone in this multi-year effort.

A Path Toward Self-Reliance

CU and USDA Rural Development have a longstanding partnership supporting rural communities, and Melville is a prime example of this collaboration in action. Stacey worked closely with USDA Loan Specialist Nnika Tinney-Davis to guide local officials through compliance requirements, ensuring that Melville remained on track for future funding.

To further strengthen the town’s financial future, Stacey developed a comprehensive balance sheet, providing officials with a clearer understanding of their financial standing. Mayor Robertson used this data to present a recovery plan at a town council meeting, addressing past loan denials and outlining a sustainable path forward. Stacey also conducted a new rate study and updated Melville’s Emergency Response Plan (ERP), preparing the town for its transition to metered water usage. This shift will improve revenue collection, enhance financial stability, and support long-term sustainability.

The additional $2.8 million in state funding represents a pivotal moment for Melville, making it possible to complete long-overdue infrastructure improvements. These efforts mark a turning point for the community, proving that even deeply entrenched issues can be resolved with expertise, persistence, and collaboration.

Mayor Robertson, Clerk Khadiejah Williams, and Assistant Clerk Shakita Brown have been instrumental in implementing these changes, despite the political risks involved, such as the need to raise water rates. Their dedication has helped secure a future for Melville, ensuring that critical infrastructure projects move forward. However, their work often goes unrecognized.

Mayor Robertson expressed her gratitude to the town clerk and assistant clerk, emphasizing that Melville wouldn’t be where it is today without them. She highlighted the town’s progress since 2023, stating that they have achieved about 85 to 90% of her goals for Melville.

Mayor Robertson confirmed that the water meters are expected to arrive in 2025, bringing Melville one step closer to achieving its goals. Once the bidding process for the meters is finalized, attention will turn to the next challenge — improving the town’s roads, a crucial step in strengthening the community’s foundation.

But Melville’s journey is about more than infrastructure; it’s about reclaiming control of its future. Through strategic planning and perseverance, local officials are not just rebuilding — they are redefining the town’s path forward. With CU’s support, Melville is steadily moving toward self-reliance, proving that resilience and vision can transform a community.

Added Mayor Robertson, “Stacey is on a whole different level — she’s right up there with Khadiejah and Shakita. She helps us so much. As long as I’m here, I’m keeping her with me. If I could hire Stacey and put her on the payroll, I would. When she’s on the phone, all you have to do is listen and take her lead — she will guide you in the right direction. I love her to death. She is truly amazing.”