Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget And Votes topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Plaquemines Port board adopts budget amendment, fee changes and several 2025 operational resolutions
Summary
The Plaquemines Port Harbor and Terminal District approved a 2024 budget amendment that allocates $517,000 for a ferry‑landing repair, adopted multiple fee ordinances, and passed employee insurance and other routine resolutions during a business meeting that included operational updates on ferries and ongoing Corps of Engineers permits.
The Plaquemines Port Harbor and Terminal District voted through a slate of budget and policy measures on the floor of its meeting, including a second‑reading amendment to the 2024 operating revenue and expense budgets that appropriates $517,000 from unrestricted fund balance for a ferry‑landing repair project.
The board approved the 2024 budget amendment (ordinance 6f) after the clerk read proposed text and line‑by‑line adjustments to departmental object codes and tariff entries. The ordinance, amended to insert wording on operating revenue and to adjust several tariff fee lines, passed with six votes in favor and one abstention. The ordinance also added a five‑year capital improvement plan amendment allocating $517,000 to the Pointe Lamarche Ferry Repair Project from the port’s unrestricted fund balance for 2024.
Why it matters: the appropriation directs funds to a ferry landing repair the port said is necessary to maintain operations and vessel compatibility at multiple landings. Port staff emphasized the appropriation is intended to keep the ferry schedule and service continuity while repairs and permitting proceed.
Other votes at the meeting were largely unanimous. Commissioners approved a resolution to provide employee group coverages (health, dental, vision, life) for the policy period 01/01/2025–12/31/2025; that resolution passed 7–0. A separate resolution to provide insurance for the district’s departments, rescue boats, ferries and port assets for the same 2025 policy period also passed 7–0.
The commission also adopted ordinances to initiate collection of Plaquemines Parish harbor fees and a related security fee; port staff read multiple numeric rate insertions during the meeting and both ordinances passed unanimously 7–0. The board approved a procedural resolution to change the district’s second regular meeting in January 2025 from Jan. 23 to Jan. 30 to accommodate member travel to Washington, D.C.
In new business, the commission authorized a notice to proceed to Motorola Solutions, Inc. for the Port Talford Tower site addition project. Commissioners said the contract is being executed before year‑end to secure LWIN system rates and improved 700/800 MHz coverage but that funds would not be spent until 2025; the suspension of rules and the authorization passed 7–0.
What’s next: staff said final budget adjustments for 2024 will be recorded to close the fiscal year and that the port will continue to coordinate with state and federal partners on the ferry repair projects and permitting. The board adjourned at 12:58 p.m.
Quotes
“This ordinance amends the five‑year capital improvement plan by appropriating $517,000 to the Pointe Lamarche Ferry Repair Project,” the clerk read during the second reading.
“The suspension is passed,” the chair said during the Motorola item, adding that executing the contract before year‑end allows the port to lock in lower system rates for radio coverage.
Ending
The meeting concluded after minutes and routine items were approved and a motion to adjourn passed; commissioners noted continuity of operations and several follow‑up items for staff related to budget closing and permit coordination.
