Iberia Parish delays vote on proposed 4 a.m. bar‑hours ordinance after public safety concerns

Iberia Parish Council members on Dec. 10 moved consideration of an ordinance that would extend alcohol service hours to 4 a.m. to the council's Jan. 14 meeting, after residents raised public safety concerns and council members questioned the agenda language.

Katie Durrell, an Iberia Parish resident who works in impaired‑driving prevention, told the council the proposed change would push service deeper into the most dangerous hours on Louisiana roads. She cited statewide crash reporting and local totals and urged members to "vote no on extending bar hours to 4AM." Durrell said statewide data from 2016–2025 show a high share of fatal and severe crashes occurring between midnight and 6 a.m., and she said Iberia Parish is trending upward even as the statewide rate declines.

Councilwoman Natalie Broussard told the council the agenda description — framed as an amendment to chapter 6, section 6.2 — was too broad and did not give the public specific notice of the change being proposed, calling the wording "deceptive" and urging greater transparency and pre‑vote public feedback.

Council members and the chair clarified that the item had been placed on the committee agenda at the request of a local bar owner and that introducing an item for discussion did not necessarily indicate personal support. The clerk explained ordinances must be published and cannot be adopted until 14 days after publication; because of publication timing the ordinance could not be adopted at the Dec. 17 meeting and was scheduled for the first meeting in January (Jan. 14) for further consideration.

The council did not take a final vote on the substance of the ordinance on Dec. 10. The clerk and council members said the Jan. 14 meeting will provide another opportunity for public comment and for members to see any proposed, specific amendment language before a final vote.