Capital outlay projects ample in Iberville budget

By Terry L. Jones

Westside bureau

PLAQUEMINE — The Iberville Parish Council unanimously adopted an ordinance Tuesday that set a public hearing next month for the parish’s 2013 budget.

Parish President J. Mitchell Ourso said the budget, which outlines spending for Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, includes a laundry list of capital outlay projects that will address a bevy of the parish’s infrastructure needs.

Ourso declined to answer questions related to any projects. The parish president said he would elaborate further on the projects during the budget’s public hearing scheduled for 6 p.m. Nov. 20.

According to a budget insert Ourso also presented to the council Tuesday, the administration has targeted more than $11 million worth of capital outlay projects.

Several projects listed in Ourso’s budgeted expenditures include:

$10 million in state earmarked funds related to the construction of the Iberville Parish Medical Center.
$400,000 to continue the parish’s road crack-sealing program.
$300,000 to build a payment center and office space for the parish’s utility department.
$100,000 to aid in the construction of a building at the parish jail to house washers and dryers for prisoner uniforms.
$50,000 for construction of a rifle range.

Following Ourso’s report, parish Financial Director Randall Dunn said while sales tax revenue is expected to decrease by 2 percent in 2013, the parish will receive a $700,000 revenue boost from property taxes due to the parishwide reassessment.

In unrelated items Tuesday the council also:

SERVICE AWARDS: Presented the Board of Commissioners for Waterworks District No. 2 with awards for their many years of dedication and service.

The council abolished the water district Sept. 18 after financial improprieties by some of the water district’s former employees were unearthed in audits by independent accounting firms.

FESTIVAL WEEK: The council presented Caroline Antoinette “Annette” Stassi, the 2012 Queen Evangeline for the local Knights of Columbus Council 970 Festival, with a proclamation declaring the week of Oct. 19 through 21 as International Acadian Festival Week in Iberville Parish.