Plaquemines Council defers $200,000 shift to Basin 2 sea-level rise project after members seek details

The Plaquemines Parish Council on Sept. 12 deferred consideration of a proposed amendment to the parish’s five-year capital improvements plan after members raised concerns that the change would shift $200,000 from the general fund undesignated balance into the Basin 2 sea-level rise mitigation and resilience improvements project.

Council member Schultz presented text changes to the capital plan that included an added $350,000 figure on one line and an insertion of a drainage project; the proposal also included a new section appropriating $200,000 “to the Basin 2 sea level rise mitigation and resilience improvements project from the general fund unreserved, undesignated fund balance funding year 2024.”

Several council members said they had not received the finalized language and questioned the source of the funds. Presiding officer said he had not been aware that the measure took money from the undesignated balance rather than transferring funds between projects and asked that the item be deferred so all members could review the changes. Mr. LaFrance asked for clarity; administrative staff said the packet had been mailed earlier in the week but that members had been dealing with storm response and may not have had time to review the materials.

The council agreed to defer item 9L to the next meeting to allow time for members to be “on the same page,” and the presiding officer set the deferral so staff could provide the full text and supporting documentation. No vote on the substantive appropriation was taken.

Council members characterized the action as a request for additional documentation rather than opposition to sea-level rise projects; the deferral preserves the undesignated general fund balance pending further review.