Council approves $50,000 parish contribution to Livingston Parish Airport District after heated debate

The Livingston Parish Council voted 7–2 on April 24 to authorize the parish president to renew the corporate endeavor agreement with the Livingston Parish Airport District and to provide a $50,000 parish contribution, continuing a multi-year series of parish payments to the airport authority.

Council debate focused on whether the airport is an appropriate use of parish funds. Councilman Shavers said he opposed spending taxpayer money for the airport and said the parish has spent roughly $275,000 since 2018 on the project; "that money can be utilized in well other areas in this parish, and I mean roads, and I mean animal control," Shavers said. Supporters argued the airport is a catalyst for economic development. Councilman Goff said investments attract industry and jobs; "If we cannot invest...we're in a sad, sad shape" he said. Councilman Wascom detailed benefits he said the airport authority had secured, including donated acreage and mitigation funding, saying those assets amount to multimillion-dollar benefits.

Councilman Chambers said he saw potential disaster-recovery value but expressed concern about traffic and urged that this payment be the last parish contribution; he then moved a substitute to grant $50,000 but as the final parish payment. That substitute motion failed to gain the floor as a proper substitute and was withdrawn; council members later moved to table the item until the next meeting to gather more information. The motion to table initially passed in a roll call of four council members but ultimately failed on the full council vote. After returning to the main motion, the council approved the agreement renewal and $50,000 parish contribution; the nays were Councilman Shavers and Councilman Coates.

Council members supporting the payment said the parish has received land donations, mitigation and grant funds connected to airport efforts and that Federal Aviation Administration acceptance will make the airport eligible for federal funding. Opponents said the parish’s limited budget should prioritize roads, drainage and animal control. The resolution as adopted authorizes the parish president to execute the renewed corporate endeavor agreement; no new long-term commitment beyond this renewal was specified in the council action recorded on April 24.

The item drew extended discussion during the 9D agenda slot and included a request from councilmembers for additional written information to be provided before any further parish contributions.