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Parish approves DOTD mowing agreement as council presses whether state reimburses full costs
Summary
The Terrebonne Parish Council voted unanimously to let the parish president sign a cooperative endeavor agreement with Louisiana DOTD for mowing and litter pickup on certain state roadways, while members asked if state per‑mile reimbursements will cover parish labor, equipment and extra cuts in high‑growth corridors.
The Terrebonne Parish Council voted 8‑0 to authorize the parish president to execute a cooperative endeavor agreement with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for mowing and litter pickup along designated state roadways.
Council members repeatedly pressed staff about whether the DOTD’s per‑mile reimbursement would equal the parish’s actual cost. “Question I have is on the reimbursement, is that gonna equal our cost of doing this?” Councilman Trosclair asked during the discussion. Solid Waste Vegetation Director Clay Narcan responded that the parish is receiving payment at the per‑mile rates DOTD currently pays, and that staff will continue to press DOTD for more CEAs and rate adjustments.
Staff said the county has submitted multiple CEAs to DOTD; at one point the state awarded one contract when five were requested, and more recently granted a second. Narcan told the council the parish is exploring doing additional cuts in areas DOTD cannot cover and noted the parish has proposed a new machine and an additional employee in the budget to handle extra work in‑house rather than contracting the work out.
Council members raised specific operational concerns: in growth corridors such as routes to Thibodaux, vegetation can grow taller and require more frequent cuts; staff said there may be occasions when the parish will perform an extra (fifth) cut for safety and that those extra cuts might not be reimbursed by DOTD. Staff also explained the parish uses a follow‑up spray crew two weeks after initial cutting “to knock down the foliage” so cuts do not have to be made as frequently.
Councilman Harding asked whether the list of roads to be covered is available; staff said the backup materials identify the added roadway (Highway 311) and that staff will share a prioritized list of locations, particularly in bayou neighborhoods with safety concerns. The total reimbursement in the presentation was described by staff as “around $19,000” for the contract area discussed; staff characterized that number as a supplement to parish resources, not full cost recovery.
The resolution was moved by Mister Babin and seconded by Mister Hamner. After council questions and discussion, the motion carried unanimously.
Council direction: staff will continue negotiations with DOTD on additional CEAs and seek rate adjustments while the parish examines in‑house capacity and equipment options to limit reliance on contractors.
