New Iberia council authorizes split with school district after AG opinion on school‑zone speed cameras

New Iberia — The New Iberia City Council on Jan. 20 approved a resolution authorizing the city to offer a cooperative endeavor agreement (CEA) to the Iberia Parish School District to divide net revenues from automated speed‑enforcement cameras in school zones and authorized a contingency request to the Louisiana attorney general if the district will not accept the funds.

City Attorney Jeff Simon told the council the city’s 2022 contract with Blue Line Solutions remains valid but that a 2024 state law (Act 103) and a subsequent attorney‑general opinion issued Oct. 17, 2025, obligate the city to share revenues from citations issued on or after May 1, 2024. "What this doesn't say is our program is invalid," Simon said, reading from the opinion; "we remain obligated to continue the program and BlueLine is entitled to their share of the compensation. The city must also ensure that revenue generated from school zone citations issued after 05/01/2024 is shared with the school governing authority."

Why it matters: The council’s action implements the AG opinion’s interpretation of Louisiana RS 32:46 and seeks to put the city in compliance while preserving its vendor contract. Simon told council the city has about $600,000 set aside in a separate account related to camera collections and estimated the school district’s share of collections dating from the law’s effective date would be roughly $281,000.

Key details and council concerns: Simon summarized his timeline of contacts with the AG’s office and negotiations with the school district’s attorney, Wayne Landry. He said the city first contracted with Blue Line Solutions in January 2023; after Act 103 became effective in May 2024 the city asked the AG for clarity. The AG opinion concluded the 2022 cooperative endeavor agreement with Blue Line is enforceable but that the city separately incurred an obligation to share school‑zone revenue with affected school governing authorities beginning May 1, 2024. Simon said the city has been discussing mechanics with the school district and could place the city’s share in escrow if the district initially declines the funds.

Council members sought clarity on the dollar amounts and timing. Councilman Troy Como said the revenue figures "are going to be scrutinized 1,000 times over" and asked whether the $281,000 figure referred to Blue Line or the school district; Simon clarified the $281,000 estimated obligation was for the school district. Council discussion also addressed whether the city could escrow funds and the contract end date with Blue Line (November, as discussed during the meeting), which would serve as a natural cutoff for the vendor arrangement.

Public input: Two public commenters raised questions about the cameras’ legality and transparency. Brian Gautreaux asked the council to explain conflicting statements in prior public forums about whether fines were being refunded or held in escrow; Warren Goshasanff urged the council to ensure compliance and questioned whether a CEA with the school board existed.

What the council did next: Council voted to authorize the mayor to enter into a cooperative endeavor agreement (Resolution 26‑12) to allow the city to split revenues — the motion carried on roll call — and then approved Resolution 26‑13 authorizing the mayor to request an attorney‑general opinion on how the city should proceed if the school district refuses to accept funds.

What remains: Simon said he will appear before the school board on Feb. 4 to explain the AG opinion and ask whether the district will accept the funds. If the school board refuses, Simon recommended the city seek further AG guidance on escrow or other compliance mechanisms. The city also will need budget adjustments to transfer reserved camera funds to the school district if the CEA is executed.

Quotes: "What this doesn't say is our program is invalid," Simon read from the AG opinion. "The agreement remained valid and enforceable according to its terms... However, as of 05/01/2024 the city became independently obligated under Louisiana RS 32:46(c) to ensure that revenue collected from school zone citations issued on or after May 2024 is shared with the governing authority of each affected school."

Next steps: The school board is expected to consider the offer on Feb. 4; the city will pursue an AG opinion if the district declines to accept the funds.