On Sept. 9, 2025, the City of Broussard Council voted to amend Resolution 850‑25 to fund a community drone show, approving a $30,000 annual contract contingent on a three‑year agreement and an amendment to the Broussard Economic Development Corporation budget. The vote took place during the council’s regular meeting with no public comment recorded. "300 drones for $30,000 contingent on a 3 year plan," presenter Graham Reduzzi said when describing the vendor offer.

The change grew out of a proposal to add a drone display to the city’s Christmas festivities. Graham Reduzzi presented competitive pricing research to the council, saying the city solicited three quotes and that comparable packages he found were typically $45,000–$60,000 for 300 drones. He told the council the vendor offered the lower $30,000 price if the city commits to a three‑year plan. Reduzzi said the intended timing is to place the drone show around the Christmas tree lighting as the evening’s closing event.

Why it matters: council members said the existing Christmas events draw thousands of people and that drone shows are being used in other communities as an alternative to fireworks. The council assigned the cost to the Broussard Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) budget and approved the contract structure during two motions: an initial amendment to raise the request from $20,000 to $30,000, and a subsequent amendment to reflect a three‑year contract at $30,000 per year under the BEDC budget. Both votes were approved by roll call (recorded as affirmative votes by Districts 1–6). No public comment was taken on the item.

Supporting details: Reduzzi and meeting materials said the recommended show length is about 15 minutes — vendors generally advise that audiences find 15 minutes is the "sweet spot" for image sequences and music. The proposal included a video demonstration shown at the meeting. Council members asked logistical questions and were told the vendor’s quoted package and pricing had been negotiated with assistance from BEDC representatives; Millicent Norbert and Lacey of the chamber were credited in the presentation for negotiating the deal. The council did not specify procurement contract language in public remarks beyond requiring the three‑year contingency and budget amendment.

Action and next steps: the council approved the budget amendment and direction to reflect a three‑year contract at $30,000 annually in the BEDC operating budget. City staff and the BEDC will proceed with vendor contracting and the event’s logistics; specific contract documents and a final show date were not specified during the meeting.