Iberia Parish staff propose moving remaining ARPA funds to cover Road District 10 shortfall

Iberia Parish Public Works Director Gene Romero told the special finance committee on Oct. 27 that Road District 10 is facing a budget shortfall, prompting staff to reduce materials and engineering line items and delay or pare equipment purchases.

“Materials went from $350 to $200,” Romero said while reviewing cuts; he also listed candidate purchases that had been deferred or reduced, including a crew-cab dually, a single-wheel tandem gooseneck trailer to haul rollers and a mower and a vehicle lift. Romero said the biggest operational constraint is staffing, not just equipment: “We need more people to run it.”

Finance Director Bridal Duplichan said staff will prepare a resolution to move remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds from two already-completed bridge projects into the road maintenance fund to close the shortfall for 2025 and give the public works department the resources needed to finish the year. She added that next year the administration will consider moving road sales tax revenue to support ongoing maintenance needs.

Committee members discussed the tradeoffs between buying and leasing equipment and noted that even if new machinery is purchased, additional trained crews are required to operate it effectively. Commissioner Michael Landry and others said they expect patching demand to decline in 2026 as repaired roads age out of immediate need, but acknowledged there will be ongoing maintenance responsibilities.

The presentation did not include a formal motion or vote; Bridal Duplichan said staff would return with a resolution to reallocate funds.

The committee did not take formal action during the meeting; the resolution to transfer ARPA funds will be brought back for committee consideration at a later date.