Running City Hall Like a Business with Mayor-President Monique Boulet

What happens when you hand the keys to an $850 million government operation to someone who thinks like an operator? You get fewer barriers, faster decisions, and a city that starts acting like it has a balance sheet to protect.In this episode of The Deal Podcast, host Joshua Wilson and co-host Jude David, JD, DCL, MBA and Managing Partner at FA Mergers, sit down with Mayor-President Monique Boulet of Lafayette, Louisiana. Monique walks through how she's running Lafayette Consolidated Government like a turnaround — stabilizing day-one operations, reorganizing a 2,000-employee workforce, and stripping out the drama that was keeping businesses and families from investing in the city. From the $200 million Johnson Street revitalization to a sewer-repair program that saved one developer $600,000 off their capital stack, Monique shares how she's removing barriers, inviting private investment, and pulling government out of the way — all while keeping faith, family, and public trust at the center of the work.🎯 What We Cover:Why Lafayette's population stalled inside the city limits — and the playbook to reverse itThe Johnson Street revitalization: a $200M+ project and how it gets funded over 7–10 yearsHow the Bertrand proof-of-concept project is de-risking a much bigger urban redesignRewriting sewer policy to save one developer $600K on a single projectWhy the inventory tax repeal (Amendment 4) matters for Lafayette ParishReorganizing a 2,000-employee, $850M government without raising taxesThe wage adjustment that filled 300+ vacancies and restored basic servicesWhat private investors and developers should know about the current climateLessons from Kathleen Blanco on leading with faith through uncertaintyHow Monique makes big decisions when the outcome isn't predefined🤝 Connect with Mayor-President Monique Boulet: 🌐 https://www.lafayettela.gov/ 🤝 Connect with Co-Host Jude David: 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jude-david-jd-dcl-mba-172a6a76/💼 Thinking About a Transaction? FA Mergers helps founders, investors, and business owners navigate the full M&A process — from valuation to close. If you're exploring a sale, acquisition, or capital raise, let's talk. 🔗 https://www.famergers.com/🎙️ Follow The Deal Podcast: 🌐 https://www.thedealpodcast.com/ 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/ ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@dealpodcastCurious what your business is worth? Request your free valuation at famergers.comDisclaimer: Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The Deal Podcast is presented by FA Mergers and is produced for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing discussed constitutes investment advice, legal or tax advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or to pursue or avoid any transaction. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts, co-hosts, and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of FA Mergers, One Iron Network LLC, any regulatory agency, or any employer. Listeners should consult their own legal, financial, and tax professionals before making any business, financial, or transaction decision. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.Let's Connect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/To Contact Us, Please Visit:https://www.thedealpodcast.com/contact/