Water Sector Commission approves multiple extensions and funding adjustments; Delkham awarded additional funds

The Water Sector Commission on Wednesday approved a series of routine deadline extensions and scope adjustments and moved to preserve scarce ARPA dollars for projects most likely to finish on time.

Chairman Zorang opened the Nov. 19 meeting and the commission adopted the Oct. 15 minutes by unanimous consent before taking a slate of extension and scope-change requests. Heather Paul of the Office of Community Development presented multiple extension requests for phase-2 (state) projects and ARPA-funded scope changes.

Among the routine items, 3- to 90-day deadline extensions for Jonesborough, South Bossier, Faraday and Tullus were granted without objection. The commission also approved scope changes that did not require additional Water Sector funding, including a Colfax revision to reflect USDA-driven ADA compliance work and a Grant Parish drainage upgrade at Hermann Park Pump Station. "These changes were not part of the original scope," Heather Paul said, and the Commission approved documentation adjustments while noting no additional water-sector resources were being allocated for those Colfax items.

The meeting turned to fund balances and a change in payment policy designed to ensure ARPA dollars are expended before state or local match funds. OCD staff reported that, after today’s actions and a return of funds from Saint Mary Parish, roughly $6 million in ARPA funds remain unallocated and must be expended by 2026. OCD said it will begin drawing ARPA funds up front on eligible pay requests so federal dollars do not lapse. Commissioners agreed to monitor 20 "high-risk" projects (about $116 million in federal dollars) closely and reassess in early 2026.

The commission considered several requests for additional funding. The town of Delkham requested $2,961,589 in additional water-sector program funds after construction bids came in well over budget. Todd Van Son of Sellers & Associates said, "Project came in way over budget," and described value-engineering steps that trimmed alternates and reduced cost. After questions about matching funds and schedule, Senator Henskins moved to approve the additional award; the motion carried by unanimous consent. OCD had designated Delkham a high-risk project but staff and the grantee said the low bidder believed the funds could be expended by September.

A contested request from Saint Bernard Parish — seeking roughly $3.92 million in additional funding for a pump station and consolidation work and dropping local match from about 51% to roughly 32% — prompted extended questioning on bidding, value engineering and repayment risk. Donny Bushwa, capital project supervisor for Saint Bernard Parish, said the project had been rephased after bids came in much higher than estimates. Senator Bass moved to defer the request for approximately 30 days to allow the parish to seek additional local match commitments; the committee approved the deferral.

The commission approved a reduced award for Consolidated Water District No. 1 in Terrebonne Parish, lowering the sponsor’s immediate funding request to approximately $2.1 million so the original local-match percentage is maintained; chair and staff will compute the exact amounts for the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget (JLCB) package. The commission also approved an increase for Ville Platte while preserving the original match percentage; city officials said the contractor is ready to continue work if funds are available.

OCD recommended terminating the Pendleton grant because the applicant lacks confirmed match resources; terminating the grant will allow Pendleton to reapply in the current grant round (deadline Dec. 1) with a revised scope. The commission adopted the termination motion.

Actions taken at the meeting were made by voice or unanimous consent; where required, several awards will be submitted to JLCB for approval. The commission adjourned after Senator Price moved to close the session.

Votes at a glance (motions made and outcomes): Jonesborough extension — approved; South Bossier extension — approved; Faraday extension — approved; Tullus extension — approved; Colfax scope change (no additional Water Sector funds) — approved; Grant Parish scope change — approved; Kentwood emergency repair scope change — approved; Saint Mary scope reduction/return of funds — accepted; Delkham additional funding $2,961,589 — approved (JLCB required); Saint Bernard additional funding ($3.92M) — deferred for 30 days; Terrebonne reduced award (approx. $2.1M) — approved; Ville Platte increase (maintain match) — approved; Pendleton grant termination — approved.

The commission directed staff to continue monitoring high-risk projects and to circulate the high-risk project list to members for closer tracking in January and again after the holidays.

Next steps: OCD will finalize award numbers for JLCB submission where required and will return with a January reassessment of high-risk projects.