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Assumption Parish drainage committee approves multiple pump purchases and small project fund increases
Summary
The Assumption Parish Police Jury's drainage committee on March 12 approved multiple pump purchases and small budget increases to address blocked ditches and failing pump equipment, and directed staff to press the state DOTD for regular highway drainage maintenance.
The Assumption Parish Police Jury's drainage committee on March 12 approved a series of purchases and small budget increases aimed at maintaining local pump stations and clearing blocked ditches, and directed staff to seek a meeting with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) about state highway right‑of‑way drainage issues.
The committee approved the purchase of a 16‑inch low‑lift pump, electric motor starter panel and materials to reconstruct a deck at the Andrea Street pump location in Ward 3. Juror Matherne moved the motion; Juror Blanchett seconded it, and members voted to approve the purchase. The committee also approved purchase of a new 8‑inch electric motor and VFD panel and deck reconstruction materials for Hough Street, and approved replacement of a failed gear head and deck reconstruction at a pump on Cross River (Ward 9). Several smaller project budgets were increased to cover additional materials or labor after in‑the‑field discoveries, including sinkholes and nonstandard subsurface conditions.
Committee members discussed recurring maintenance gaps along LA‑1 where state right‑of‑way drainage features such as culverts and outfalls have become blocked. The committee directed parish staff to document emergency repairs and to arrange a joint meeting with DOTD, the local state representative and Senator Arlene (last name not specified in the record) to press for routine maintenance or reimbursement where DOTD work is required.
Several motions referenced funding sources by name: committee members said some purchases would be paid from GOMESA (Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act) allocations and some from capital outlay funds; in at least one instance a pump previously ordered with GOMESA funds was noted as already purchased and therefore excluded from a new purchase motion.
Votes at a glance - Purchase of 16‑inch low‑lift pump and deck materials (Andrea Street): motion by Juror Matherne; second by Juror Blanchett; outcome: approved. - Additional funds, Project 93233 (Ward 6): motion by Juror Carter; second by Juror Breul; outcome: approved ($8,860). - Lower culverts to proper elevation, 200 block of Yule Street: motion by Juror Carter; second by Juror Fatterell; outcome: approved. - Additional funds, Project 93245 (Ward 7): motion by Juror Blanchard; second by Juror Burrow; outcome: approved ($2,883). - Purchase of 8‑inch motor and VFD panel and deck reconstruction (Hough Street): motion by Juror Blanchard; second by Juror Pattero; outcome: approved (estimated $29,945 originally; committee approved $16,012 option using existing pump motor conversion discussion). - Additional funds, Project 93223: motion by Juror Blanchard; second by Juror Broom; outcome: approved (clerical cover‑sheet typo corrected during discussion). - Additional funds and equipment moves (multiple small projects, warrants): motions made and carried for equipment delivery and excavator mobilization (amounts varied, typically under $6,000 per item).
Discussion vs. decision Committee discussion included repeated concerns that DOTD maintenance on state highways (notably LA‑1) has been slow, producing clogging of ditches and risk of residential flooding. Staff and Jurors agreed to continue doing emergency maintenance where houses are at imminent risk, while attempting to get DOTD or state representatives to commit to regular maintenance. Committee members emphasized they would prioritize emergency repairs but that repeated repairs create a recurring maintenance burden on parish crews.
Implementation notes Staff were directed to produce cost estimates and to coordinate purchases under existing state bid arrangements when possible. For larger engineering or capital projects referenced during the discussion (for example, deck reconstruction and motor conversions), committee members specified funding sources (GOMESA, capital outlay, project‑specific allocations) to be applied case‑by‑case.
Ending Committee members closed with a reminder that pump lead times can be long (staff estimated ~12–18 weeks for pumps) and urged staff to refurbish on‑hand units where possible to reduce service outages while ordered equipment is en route.
