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Council approves amended ARPA grants-management task order after heated debate over timing
Summary
After a lengthy debate about urgency and transparency, the Iberia Parish Council amended and approved an ARPA grants-management task order (Eisen task order #5) increased to $36,323 to cover additional work after the departure of the finance director and to avoid audit exceptions.
The Iberia Parish Council voted in a special meeting on Nov. 25 to approve an amended task order for ARPA grants-management services with Eisen (task order #5) after contentious debate over whether the item had been distributed to council members with sufficient notice.
Parish President Larry Richard said the contract work is necessary because the parish’s former finance director left and the administration needs outside help to document project eligibility, avoid audit exceptions, and compile the reporting required to spend ARPA funds. "We have to make sure everything that we're submitting by the December is going to be done correct," Richard said, explaining that the consultant would help the parish use available ARPA categories and documentation.
Councilwoman (District 6) opposed moving the item as an agenda expansion and objected to receiving materials late, saying the public had a right to review materials ahead of a vote and later saying she felt pressured during the process. She said she attempted to obtain the master services agreement earlier and described the request for an expansion as inappropriate. The exchange included mutual criticism about communications timing; the dispute remained unresolved in the meeting.
Councilman Michael Landry moved an amendment to increase the task order from $33,004.73 to $36,323 to cover an outstanding invoice and additional work; the motion was seconded and carried. The main motion as amended was adopted.
Why it matters: The vote authorizes additional consultant support intended to protect the parish from audit exceptions when spending ARPA funds. Several council members said the expense would be lower than the cost of potential compliance failures; others argued for more notice and transparency for expanded agenda items.
What's next: The parish administration said it will proceed with the task order and continue to recruit internal staff (a budget person) to reduce dependency on outside consultants; council members flagged the possibility of returning for further funds if needed.
Ending: The council approved the amended task order in the special session; no legal challenge or litigation was recorded at the meeting.
