LIVINGSTON, La. — The Livingston Parish Council on Thursday gave its grudging approval to a pair of requests for additional funding for ongoing projects that have already received significant appropriations from the parish.
In a 7-2 vote, with council members Dean Coates and Ryan Chavers casting the “no” votes, the council approved an additional $15,000 payment to the Livingston Parish Airport District to fund a required Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) study.
“We gave them (the district) $35,000, then added another $15,000, and now they want $15,000 more — and yet not one member of the district is here to explain why they need this extra money,” Chavers said. “It’s a frustrating use of taxpayer money.”
Erin Sandefur added that while she would vote in favor of the latest request, “We will need a presentation to approve future funding.”
Coates asked whether the district had provided any accounting of its expenditures.
That future funding — $60,000 — will be built into next year’s parish budget, parish finance officer Mickey McMorris explained. He told the council that the district, like any public agency, must undergo an audit, “and audits cost money.” He said most of the $15,000 request would go toward legal, insurance and auditing costs.
John Mangus, in whose district the proposed airport is located, encouraged fellow council members to visit the site to see the progress for themselves.
“I horseback ride in the area frequently, and I can tell you they’ve done a lot,” Mangus said. “They’ve laid out the landing strip, and you can actually drive on it. It’ll soon be ready to pour concrete.”
Council member Ricky Goff said, “I cannot imagine a better investment for the parish. The airport is going to help bring in industry.”
The council also approved another $15,000 contract amendment for WSP USA for completion of Phase III of its contract to finalize the parish’s Future Land Use Map and revise the Unified Development Code.
McMorris explained that the original $750,000 contract had experienced a cost overrun of $60,000, but the contractor agreed to split the difference and seek only $15,000 from the parish.
Goff said the additional funds would “get us over the finish line” on the project.
The council’s vote to approve the amendment was unanimous.
The council approved a $49,000 settlement of the 5th District Livingston Parish Concerned Citizens Association lawsuit against the parish. The settlement, said attorney Marty Maley, will be paid by the parish’s insurance carrier, and no taxpayer funds will be used.
The settlement, part of an overall $134,727.98 judgment in April, brings to a close the lawsuit over alleged parish ordinance violations in the approval of plans for the Deer Run subdivision.
The council also introduced an ordinance authorizing Parish President Randy Delatte to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to establish a detour route for the replacement of the Lockhart Road bridge.
Several routine zoning requests were approved, and four roads — Arlene Drive, Montrose North Drive, St. Marie Drive and Fontenot Road — were added to the parish priority road list for maintenance.
The resignation of Ronald Morse from the Carter Plantation Community Development Board of Supervisors was accepted, and Jason Hawkes was approved as his replacement. Leslie Falks was also approved for appointment to Fire Protection District 4.
