The Iberia Parish Executive Committee voted to pass a resolution calling for a special election to establish a 3/4 cent sales tax to support building and maintaining roads in Iberia Parish.

The special election will be held April 27, 2024. It encompasses Sales Tax District No. 1 which includes all non-incorporated areas from New Iberia and surrounding municipalities. If passed, the tax is expected to generate 4.8 million dollars every year.

Another resolution passed to establish an election on that same day to renew and reduce pre-existing millages. The election will focus on the renewal of millages supporting several of Iberia Parish’s key sectors of public life, including 2.11 mills for public health, 4.76 mills for public buildings and 4 mills for drainage.

The millage supporting public libraries will also be presented for renewal at a reduced rate from 6 to 4.5 mills. That comes as Iberia Parish has the lowest millage rate in Louisiana, according to Parish President M. Larry Richard.

The council also voted to amend several budgets throughout the night, including an additional $25,000 for the Public Building Maintenance Fund Budget to fund the AJAX Heating Boiler retube project at the Sheriff Building on West Admiral Doyle Drive. They also added $43,333 to the fund to partially match state-funding of $124,333 to improve the courthouse inmate elevator.

The council also voted to amend the 2024 Royalty Fund Budget by appropriating $16,000,000 from the state DOTD funding to start the Hangar Drive Extension and LA 312 Improvement Projects. Parish President Richard played an integral role in securing this funding from the state legislature.

The Council approved the resignation of several committee and commission members, including Dr. Phebe A. Hayes, Ph. D., who resigned from the Iberia Parish Tourist Commission representing the Iberia African American Historical Society. Chris Ditch and Jonathan Piel both resigned from the Acadiana Fairgrounds Commission.