A question that’s lingered for decades among Iberia Parish public officials, business leaders and residents will be brought up once again at Wednesday’s Iberia Parish Council meeting. 

Should video poker be allowed in Iberia Parish?

For Councilman Tommy Landy, it’s an issue that has led to losing potential revenue in the parish, particularly since two parishes bordering Iberia Parish allow for video poker inside their parish limits. 

“We have five major intersections on I-49,” Landry said Monday. “If we had video poker, it would develop those intersections, plus those local businessman and establishments. Right now, those monies are going to the bordering parishes.”

The resolution on Wednesday night’s agenda will be presented during the council’s finance committee, and would only request the Iberia Parish Legislative Delegation to sponsor legislation implementing video poker in the parish. 

If a state vote passes, the council would call for a vote authorizing video poker. 

Video poker has been banned in Iberia since 1996, which was enacted after a majority of voters ultimately decided to place a ban on the gaming activity. Since then, several attempts by members of the Parish Council have attempted to revive an attempt to bring it back. 

Council Chairman Paul Landry said his position is that the issue should go before a vote before Iberia Parish residents. 

“I just think it should go before a vote to the people,” Landry said. 

In other business, the council will consider an override to a veto made by Iberia Parish President Larry Richard last week concerning an easement reduction from 100 feet to 50 feet on a Harold Landry Road property. 

According to the official veto, Richard said his action came after advice from legal counsel. The reduction of the easement would allow residences and other structures to be built closer to canals and other drainage structures, which would increase the chances that those structures would be subject to future flooding. 

“The continued reduction of drainage easements or servitudes in the low lying coastal parishes such as Iberia would have an adverse effect upon the rates or availability of flood insurance to the residents of our Parish under the National Flood Insurance Program,” according to the veto. 

There also were procedural issues with the ordinance as voted on when it was passed at the last council meeting, according to Richard. The IPC passed amendments to drainage easement law in 2016 that requires a survey plat and letters from the flood plain manager, director of permitting, planning and zoning and public works directors approving or denying the proposed reduction. 

“I had to veto because it didn’t have everything that was required when it went to council,” Richard said Monday. 

The meeting takes place 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Iberia Parish Courthouse.