Terrebonne Parish Council adopts 2025 budget, amends 2024 budget and passes multiple ordinances; several appointments approved

The Terrebonne Parish Council on Dec. 11 adopted the 2025 operations and maintenance budget and five-year capital improvement plan, approved amendments to the 2024 budget, and passed multiple ordinances and appointments during a meeting held in council chambers.

Council members voted 8–0 to adopt the 2025 operations and maintenance budget and accompanying five-year capital improvement budget after a motion by Councilman Babin and a second by Councilman Pleasure. The council also approved a package of 2024 budget amendments that included three dedicated emergency-fund adjustments totaling $7,782,101 and other line-item changes; that ordinance passed 8–0.

Other ordinances adopted included creation of the Grand Cayenne Fire Protection Bureau as a certified fire prevention agency (motion adopted 7–0), establishment of 15 mph speed limits along Christopher Drive and Wayne Avenue (each ordinance adopted; Christopher Drive final tally recorded as 7–0, Wayne Avenue 8–0), declaration of a surplus interest in adjudicated property located at 103 Fisherman’s Lane (parcel interest 12.5%) and authorization for the parish president to execute a cooperative endeavor agreement for use of 107 Fisherman’s Lane (parcel ID 27288) with Laura High Hoyt (all adopted by recorded votes listed in the minutes).

The council ratified committee minutes and administrative items by voice or roll call votes, including acceptance of the Terrebonne Power Sales and Use Tax Advisory Board minutes and recommendations (8–0), and ratification of budget and finance committee minutes (7–0 with one abstention). The council approved a number of board and commission appointments and reappointments, including reappointments to the Downtown Development Corporation and a reappointment to the Port Commission (each approved by recorded votes reflected in the minutes).

Routine motions — approving minutes, accounts payable lists and monthly engineering reports — were carried by recorded votes (typically unanimous as noted in the minutes). The meeting also included a ceremonial commendation for Gwendolyn Trahan for her role portraying Mrs. Claus and a public comment about a local American history class; those items were informational or ceremonial and did not require council action.

Below are the principal adopted items and recorded tallies as provided in the meeting record:

Votes at a glance - Adopt 2025 operations and maintenance budget and five-year capital plan: motion to adopt by Councilman Babin; second by Councilman Pleasure. Recorded vote: 8 ayes, 0 nays. Outcome: adopted. - Amend 2024 adopted operating budget and five-year capital outlay budget (multiple line items including dedicated emergency funds of $4,362,541; $2,977,647; $441,913; Bayou Country Sports Park $82,957; various 5% budget adjustments; other listed items): Recorded vote: 8 ayes, 0 nays. Outcome: adopted. - Create Grand Cayenne Fire Prevention Bureau (ordinance to certify bureau): Motion to adopt: recorded vote 7 ayes, 0 nays. Outcome: adopted. - Establish 15 mph speed limit, Christopher Drive: Recorded votes leading to final tally reported as 7 ayes, 0 nays. Outcome: adopted. - Establish 15 mph speed limit, Wayne Avenue: Recorded vote in final adoption reported as 8 ayes, 0 nays. Outcome: adopted. - Declare surplus adjudicated property (103 Fisherman’s Lane; parish holds 12.5% interest): Recorded vote: 8 ayes, 0 nays. Outcome: adopted. - Authorize cooperative endeavor agreement for 107 Fisherman’s Lane (parcel ID 27288) with Laura High Hoyt: Recorded vote: 8 ayes, 0 nays. Outcome: adopted. - Accept Terrebonne Power Sales & Use Tax Advisory Board minutes and related recommendations: Recorded vote: 8 ayes, 0 nays. Outcome: ratified. - Ratify budget and finance committee minutes: Recorded vote: 7 ayes, 1 abstention. Outcome: ratified. - Appointments and reappointments to boards and commissions: Multiple motions to open, close and appoint or reappoint candidates were adopted by recorded votes; examples in the minutes include reappointments to the Downtown Development Corporation and Port Commission (each recorded as approved, tallies included in minutes).

Where the meeting record listed votes but did not provide an ordinance number or additional identifying detail, the minutes noted the action and are recorded here as “not specified” beneath the item.

The meeting record shows the council handled the agenda’s business in a single session with roll-call votes recorded in the minutes; the record does not show any motions tabled or failed on Dec. 11.