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STATE OF LOUISIANA <br /> ���F,LOUcs,9 DEPARTMENT OF STATE CIVIL SERVICE <br /> �m�r6. ,�, �^9 LOUISIANA BOARD OF ETHICS <br /> ,� 9 . P.0.BOX 4368 <br /> * * BATON ROUGE,LA 70821 <br /> C�NFIDENG�'• �ZZ.rJ�Z�9-.rIEOO <br /> �••«o.••' FAX:(225)381-7271 <br /> 1-800-842-6630 <br /> www.ethics.la.gov <br /> January 12, 2026 <br /> Alex Washington Jr. <br /> The Washington Law Firm <br /> 1700 Irving Place <br /> Shreveport, LA 71101 <br /> Re: Docket No. 2025-489 <br /> Advisory Opinion <br /> Dear Mr. Washington <br /> The Louisiana Board of Ethics,at its meeting on January 9,2026,considered your advisory opinion <br /> request on behalf of the City of Natchitoches as to whether the Code of Governmental Ethics (the <br /> "Code") permits an employee to receive additional compensation from the City through grant <br /> funding for work performed on the grant outside of her regular working hours. <br /> FACTS PROVIDED <br /> Nicole Gray is a full-time employee of the City of Natchitoches (the "City") in the Community <br /> Development Department. She works as the City's Community Outreach & Grants Manager. In <br /> this position, Nicole Gray plans, organizes, and manages community development programs for <br /> the City. She develops and leads marketing and community outreach efforts for programs that <br /> support departmental goals and citywide initiatives, and she identifies and analyzes grant funding <br /> opportunities for the City's community development, infrastructure, and outreach initiatives. <br /> Nicole Gray is also responsible for developing grant applications for local, state, and federally <br /> funded projects, writing gra.nts and requests for proposals, and coordinating, managing, and <br /> administering grant-funded programs throughout the lifecycle of grant-funded projects. <br /> Nicole Gray wrote and submitted the City's grant application to the National League of Cities <br /> Institute far the Southern Cities Econoinic Initiative ("SCEI"), which is a program designed to <br /> help municipalities plan and i�nplement economic mobility and inclusion strategies. NLCI and <br /> partners will help participating cities achieve these goals by providing research and data support, <br /> peer learning opportunities,tailored technical assistance, and grants to underserved businesses and <br /> residents, ultimately leading to thriving communities and a more equitable economy. The City's <br /> application with a proposed budget of$15,000.00, including$6,000.00 for personnel salaries, was <br /> accepted for participation in the SCEI planning project from Apri124, 2025, through October 31, <br /> 2025. During that time,Nicole Gray worked a total of ninety-nine(99)hours outside of her normal <br /> working hours and official duties on the SCEI planning project. <br /> Nicole Gray also wrote and submitted the City's grant proposal to The Rapides Foundation's <br /> Healthy Behaviars Initiative for the Strengthening Families Program ("SFP"), which is a science- <br /> based family skills training program designed to increase resilience and reduce risk factors for <br /> Page 1 of 3 (BD 2025-489) <br /> AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER <br />