For those wanting to stay abreast of Iberia Parish’s fiscal situation, Parish President Larry Richard said it is now easily accessible through the Iberia Parish Government website.

“In an effort to maintain open and transparent communication in regard to the financial position of Iberia Parish, I want to again ask anyone who is interested in this subject to please go to the Iberia Parish website at www.iberiaparishgovernment.com,” Richard said.

At the bottom of the page one can find several links related to IPG finances, Richard said. The Fiscal Transparency link will take those interested to information based on Iberia Parish Government’s major funds. Richard said they are budget sheets that contain information on revenues and expenditures for the funds.

In addition, Richard said IPG is making every effort to bring information related to sales tax revenue generation to the public.

“If you recall late last year, we reported improvements in sales tax revenue collections for all funds but the occupancy tax collection,” Richard said.

Richard said the occupancy tax revenue showed a decline of 5.68 percent, while all other funds generated an average increase of 5.95 percent.

“The good news is that overall, we experienced an increase in revenue of 3.63 percent from 2017 to 2018,” he said. “I am currently awaiting the first report for 2019 which is due at any time now. As soon as I receive the information, it will be reported in the very next Parish President’s report.”

In other business, Richard said IPG is moving forward on several fronts, including providing the appropriate response during day-to-day emergencies as well as major events like severe weather events.

“I am happy to say that we are on schedule to begin construction on the new 911 Center,” Richard said. “This facility will not only house our 911 system and operations, but is also a state-of-the-art building designed to be a ‘safe room’ for our responders during emergency events. This facility will improve our ability to respond when needed.”

The parish president said he is also looking forward to The Bayou Concert series that is put on at the Isle of Iberia by the Parks and Recreation Department. The series kicks off on April 27 with a concert featuring Louisiana’s LeRoux.

Next door at SugArena, Richard said, Chris Cox, a 4-time undefeated Road to the Horse World Champion, will be putting on a 3-day horsemanship clinic. The event is being held April 5-7. For more information call 940-327-8113 or go to www.chris-cox.com.

“We have a lot to offer in Iberia Parish and these are just two examples of the talent being presented for our enjoyment,” Richard said. “From festivals to the arts and everything in between, we should make our own backyard a destination.”