The St. Charles Parish Council meeting on October 6, 2025, spotlighted a contentious debate over the valuation of the Monsanto plant in Luling, Louisiana. The discussion centered on appeals for economic obsolescence, with Monsanto's representative, Richard Griffin, arguing that external market pressures and ongoing litigation have severely impacted the plant's profitability and market value.

Griffin detailed how competition from Chinese manufacturers has driven down glyphosate prices by nearly 50%, while production costs have risen by 26%. He emphasized that the plant's market value remains around $44 million, despite these challenges, and highlighted the significant legal battles facing Monsanto, with over 67,000 pending lawsuits related to glyphosate. He urged the council to consider these factors in their assessment, claiming that the current valuation does not account for economic obsolescence.

In response, Assessor Troxler defended the valuation process, stating that the burden of proof lies with Monsanto to provide sufficient evidence for their claims. He noted a staggering $405 million discrepancy between the company's valuation and his office's assessment. Troxler explained that while economic obsolescence could exist, the evidence presented by Monsanto was insufficient to justify such a drastic reduction in value.

The council members expressed their concerns about the lack of detailed financial information from Monsanto, which hindered their ability to make an informed decision. Councilwoman O'Daniels pointed out the high burden required to reverse the assessor's decision, while other members echoed the need for clearer evidence of economic hardship.

Ultimately, the council unanimously voted to accept and certify the 2025 assessment rule as submitted by the assessor, leaving Monsanto's appeal unresolved for now. The outcome underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the plant amid a shifting economic landscape and the complexities of property valuation in the face of external pressures.