The St. Landry Parish Council will meet in closed session Monday evening to formulate its response to a sizzling report about to be released by the Legislative Auditor’s Office.

A representative of that office met with Parish President Bill Fontenot, Parish Council President Wayne Ardoin and others Tuesday to deliver the news.

And, credible state sources say, it is as bad as council members asking for the audit thought it would be..

A meeting with representatives of an agency with audit issues is an ordinary practice.

The audit and the auditor’s remarks will not be public record until the parish response is forwarded to Baton Rouge and the package officially filed.

The closed session Monday is, according to council attorney Andrea West, to give members the opportunity to decide on a response before the findings are prematurely divulged.

Council members requested the audit early this year after its traditional independent report indicated issues that might need a closer look.

At the forefront of the findings are questions about charges on the parish’s American Express account.

Lack of documentation for some of the charges, absence of unsigned receipts and other exceptions to normal business practices are among the things noted.

Auditors point out a number of disparities and contradictions in the report, ranging from fuel bills to cell phone usage.

Those privy to the meeting with the auditor’s representative are bound to a promise not to publicly discuss the draft.