Budget committee approves budget adjustments, orders end to recycling program after cost and processing concerns; hears lengthy IT staffing debate

The Terrebonne Parish Budget & Finance Committee approved multiple budget adjustments and contract awards and voted to discontinue the parish recycling program after staff described escalating costs and uncertainty about where recycled loads ultimately are processed.

On contracts and awards, the committee voted to award Paris project 23-SEW-01 (replacement of North Treatment Plant primary pumps) and to authorize a construction contract with BET Construction Inc. for the Whitney Bank build-out. During discussion, staff said bids initially came in higher than budgeted and that value-engineering and a change order reduced the contract to fall within the $1.5 million budget for the overall Whitney Bank project. Staff cited a revised contract figure (after reductions) of approximately $1,385,003.55 and said a subsequent reduction took it to about $1,335,000; committee members asked staff to confirm backup documents.

The committee also voted to authorize the parish president or designee to enter a data-sharing agreement with the Louisiana Department of Insurance under the Fortify Homes program. Jennifer Gervasi, who identified herself as active with a ramp program, told the committee that the Fortify Homes partner would provide names of applicants who did not qualify or could not complete the Fortify Homes process so the parish could target those households for potential FEMA-supported wind retrofit assistance. "So all the information's coming our way," Gervasi said on the record.

Sanitation and recycling: Members discussed the recycling program at length after a councilmember cited direct annual costs to the parish of roughly $195,760 for recycling in one prior year and $194,320 year-to-date in the current year. Staff explained tipping-fee and transport differences between the parish's current vendor and an alternative (River Birch). Clay (staff) described where loads are taken: "We get a ticket from Pelican that has been dropped off at the Republic Recycling Foundation in Baton Rouge. Once it's dropped off there, we have no idea what it does... Once it got there, where it went, we don't know." Councilman Steve Trosclair moved to discontinue the recycling program and keep the funding in the sanitation fund for equipment and vegetation needs; the motion was seconded by Councilman Clyde Hamner. The motion passed 8–0.

Staff explained the funding constraints: recycling-related savings cannot be transferred to the general fund because revenue is from restricted ad valorem sources; savings must remain within the sanitation fund and would be used via future budget amendment if needed.

IT, development and marketing: Committee members held an extended discussion of the information technology, development and marketing functions, which operate as internal service funds. Staff described that these departments bill other parish departments for services via a time-and-ticket system and said the unit is largely self-sustaining through user fees. The committee questioned staffing changes and several recent pay and title adjustments; staff said the reorganizations were intended to build long-term capacity and to reduce reliance on outside contractors. Members requested a follow-up cost estimate for a hypothetical 2% across-the-board pay increase for employees; staff agreed to provide that figure.

Other budget items: The committee introduced multiple 2025 budget amendments required to keep funds within a 5% unfavorable variance per state law (including the prisoner fund, roads and bridges, road lighting districts and the health unit fund). The committee also introduced an ordinance to acquire several lots in Southdown Industrial Park (warehousing for Human Services) and set public hearings on Nov. 19, 2025, where specified.

Votes and next steps: The recycling discontinuation passed 8–0. Several ordinance introductions were set for a Nov. 19, 2025 public hearing. Staff said follow-up budget amendments would be required to reallocate funds saved by ending recycling and to implement any equipment purchases; department heads will bring specific amendments as needed.