Lafourche Parish Council elects officers for 2026, approves settlement and a slate of contracts and grants

Chairman O'Toole was re-elected chair of the Lafourche Parish Council for 2026, and Councilman Mark Perk was elected vice chair, the council announced at its Jan. 13 meeting.

The council met a quorum and, following an executive session under LLARS 42:17(A)(2), approved a settlement in Tommy Lassagne v. Lafourche Parish Government (docket 148495) and authorized the parish president to execute related documents. The settlement resolution passed on a 7–0 vote with two absences.

Why it matters: The election sets leadership for the council's calendar year, and the settlement closes pending litigation the council deemed appropriate to resolve at this session.

Votes at a glance
- Chairperson: Chairman O'Toole re-elected (6 yeas, 1 nay; 2 absences).
- Vice chair: Councilman Mark Perk elected unanimously (7 yays; 2 absences).
- Settlement: Resolution approving settlement in Tommy Lassagne v. Lafourche Parish Government approved (7 yeas; 2 absences).
- Ordinance: Amendment to chapter 22 (land development) ratified after public hearing (7 ayes; 2 absences).
- Contracts/Resolutions approved: Schindler Elevator maintenance agreement; adoption of the Lafourche Parish Hazard Mitigation Plan update; acceptance of a $15,000 PetSmart Charities grant; amendment #4 for the Grand Bayou freshwater reintroduction project (CPRA); change order #5 for Courthouse Annex Hurricane Ida repair (increase $195,706.38 and 21 days); agreements with Ducks Unlimited for terracing projects; Community Services Block Grant agreement (Louisiana Works); Keep America Beautiful summit grant; Allied Shipyard drydocking quote ($205,999) for a bridge drydock/rehabilitation project; multiple advisory-board appointments; and other change orders and amendments listed on the agenda.

Details and context
Council discussion touched on project scopes and funding. Parish President Parrish said the Courthouse Annex change order primarily addresses damaged hot-water piping and additional wiring discovered during work; he estimated roughly 97% of the work is eligible for FEMA and insurance, with the parish covering the remainder. The change order increases the contract by $195,706.38 and adds 21 days.

On the bridge drydocking project, the council accepted an Allied Shipyard quote of $205,999. Parrish described the capital plan history: an initial general contractor estimate near $1.7 million for an all-in approach, a later bridge-only bid of about $800,000, and a current plan to complete the full capital project for under $1.5 million using remaining budgeted funds and identified sources such as road sales tax.

What the council did not decide today
Several proposed ordinances (items 8–15 on the agenda) were introduced for future consideration (speed-display signage, Energy Louisiana LLC franchise, subdivision setback variance for Magnolia Estates, leases and property transfers) but were not adopted at this meeting.

Next steps
Several items will return to a future meeting for additional hearings or implementation steps. The parish president was authorized to execute the approved agreements and change orders where indicated; implementation and funding follow established administrative procedures.