Election for road fix?

Published 6:00 am Tuesday, May 8, 2018

In its executive committee meeting Wednesday, the Iberia Parish Council will make a preliminary vote to hold a special election for roads in November. 

According to the agenda, the election would levy or rededicate parish sales taxes to go toward road repairs and improvements. IPC Chairman Paul Landry said the potential election would take place if state government lowered its 1 cent sales tax to a quarter cent. 

The state is expected to make a decision on whether it will lower the tax during a special session that will be called on after regular session. The Parish Council, which has begun to seek ways to find a stable revenue source for parish roads, would have to begin the process to call that election at Wednesday’s meeting if they do decide to move forward with a road tax. 

A new funding source for roads could also come from a rededication of current taxes. An IPC committee to investigate money for roads has recently been formed and will begin the process of looking into ways to fund road maintenance and repairs. 

The decision Wednesday will be a preliminary measure to comply with publication laws in the state. 

Iberia Parish Government has no dedicated funding source for road repairs, and Landry said he’s heard from constituents more frequently about a need to repair roads in the parish. The decision on whether or not to have a new funding source- whether a new tax or rededication- would ultimately be decided by the voters of the parish. 

“We just put it on there. Whether or not we pass it is up to the voters,” Landry said.  

In other business, Councilman Warren Gachassin will introduce an ordinance in the same committee for agenda approvals. Gachassin said the ordinance would allow the council to finalize agendas before IPC meetings get underway. 

The council also will vote on the abolishment of Water Works District 4, which covers the Lydia and Grand Marais areas. The district is set to be absorbed into Water Works District 3 in Coteau, with the help of Community Development Block Grant funds. 

In the council’s regular meeting, the IPC will vote on a resolution amending the 2018 Fire Protection District No. 1 Fund budget to accept insurance proceeds of $33,700 for the replacement of a fire truck. 

Also, council members will vote to introduce millage rates for publication at the meeting. The rates will be discussed in earnest and set at a later date. 

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