IPC votes to place road tax on ballot

Published 12:00 am Thursday, May 24, 2018

The Iberia Parish Council passed a resolution that will place a road tax on the November ballot at Wednesday night’s meeting. 

The discussion was prefaced with a presentation by Iberia Parish President Larry Richard, who proposed a ¾ cent sales tax that would be dedicated strictly to unincorporated roads in the parish. 

That means the ballot item will not apply to residents living in Iberia Parish municipalities like New Iberia, Delcambre, Loreauvillle and Jeanerette. Areas like Coteau, Grand Marais and Lydia will be voting, however. 

“We need to understand that unless we invest in our parish, it is likely that we will not be able to create or even maintain our (road) infrastructure,” Richard said. 

The council was largely in support of the measure, voting 10-3 in favor of the agenda item. Council members Warren Gachassin, Ricky Gonsoulin and Chad Maturin voted against putting the tax to the ballot. 

“I appreciate that you recognized a problem,” Councilwoman Natalie Broussard said at the meeting. “I don’t know if the people will appreciate our solution but I appreciate that it’s going forward.”

Richard added during the meeting that talks of a political action committee were already in the works, and several town hall meetings and public information sessions can be expected in the upcoming months to educate the voters of Iberia Parish about the extent of road problems in the parish. 

“I’m going to support sending this to the people,” Councilman Brian Napier said. “This is what we’re here for, to serve the people of Iberia Parish and let them decide. 

The ¾ cent tax is estimated to generate around $3.4 million annually, which would go toward bonds the parish could use to address the $34 million in road repairs and $2 million in road maintenance that consultants have estimated the parish needs.