Although the city of New Iberia is moving forward with its own police department, the City Council voted to approve a new contract with the Iberia Parish Law Enforcement District for housing inmates.

The council approved a new two-year contract with the district at Tuesday’s meeting to provide beds at the Iberia Parish Jail for those arrested.

The contract states that the district agrees to provide beds, space for housing and keeping and maintaining of adult prisoners charged with misdemeanor and felony offenses by the NIPD. It also allows for housing those convicted and sentenced to a term of imprisonment by the New Iberia City Court.

New Iberia government will pay a per diem charge of $30 per inmate, which will be payable on or before the 10th day of each month following billowing.

“We’re (going to) pay the same amount we’re paying now,” Mayor Freddie DeCourt said. “We renegotiated with the sheriff, and he was very generous.”

The New Iberia Police Department and New Iberia City Marshal’s Office will have free access to  meet with and take custody of any city prisoner or inmate for any purpose deemed necessary and proper by the chief or marshal.

Inmates also will have available medical treatment, and any condition of an inmate which would require services above and beyond those capable of being provided by the in-house medical staff will be at the expense of the city. The city will not pay for additional medical treatment without written consent from the chief of police, except in the case of emergencies.