The Jeanerette Board of Aldermen approved an ordinance increasing the water rates for the city following a study that recommended the increase in order to maintain the operations and maintenance of the town’s water plan. 

The study was conducted as a result of a water sector grant, which had a condition that Jeanerette would abide by the recommendations resulting from the study. 

City officials finalized a water rate schedule that would comply with the recommendations, which would supply funding for operations and maintenance as well as the debt service required to go into a project with the Department of Environmental Quality. 

“We inherited an organization that did not put in any incremental increases or cost of living,” Mayor Carol Bourgeois said. “They just kicked the can down the road, and here we are in 2024.”

Bourgeois said it was his option that he would hate to see Jeanerette’s water department be handed to a private contractor when there was potential to expand the reach of the department to other communities along U.S. 90 like Grand Marais. 

Alderman Butch Bourgeois introduced a motion, which failed, to increase the recommended rate even more after learning of the additional levels of brine needed to keep the current water level at quality level. 

“It’s not just about a loan, it’s about operations and being able to sustain the operations,” Mayor Carol  Bourgeois said. 

The board voted to accept the rate schedule after Bourgeois’ vote failed.