Council allocates $1.5 million for drainage work, engineers and cameraing; vacall truck procurement deferred

The New Iberia City Council approved a special ordinance amending the city budget to allocate $1,500,000 for drainage improvements, engineering services and procurement related to stormwater work, including funds that may be used to buy a vacall (vacuum/jetting) truck. Mayor and staff told the council the appropriation will allow immediate remediation of flood-prone spots, expand engineering and cameraing across the system, and position the city to move quickly when additional grant funding arrives. The ordinance was presented as Special Ordinance No. 2024-2025-18; Councilwoman Brooke Marcotte and Councilman Ron Davis moved and seconded the motion to open the public hearing on the measure. With no public comment, the hearing was closed and the council proceeded to adopt the amendment. City staff said the $1.5 million will pay for engineering services, immediate drainage projects…