Council approves dedication of courthouse annex to Errol Romo Romero after legal questions and debate

The Public Works Committee considered a resolution to dedicate the courthouse annex in the name of Errol Romo Romero. Multiple council members questioned whether state law allows naming a public building for a living person and asked legal counsel to research applicable statutes and case law before final adoption of signage or expenditures.

Councilwoman Natalie Broussard and others cited a statutory prohibition referenced during debate (participants mentioned citations such as "42 2 67" and similar numeric references) that, as described in the meeting, generally limits naming public buildings in honor of living persons and could require removal of signage if the law applies. Legal counsel (Ian) said he would check whether the cited statute applies to parish property or only to state‑owned property and provide guidance at a subsequent meeting.

Some members argued a substitute motion to table the dedication until legal clarification was available; others said the item could be described as a dedication without current expenditures and that a future resolution could place permanent signage after a person’s passing. After procedural confusion about machine votes, the body carried the motion to dedicate; several members explicitly requested that legal counsel confirm statutory constraints before any naming signage or appropriations occur.

The transcript shows both support and opposition. One council member said, "I personally, I can't support this," citing the statute and an historical example; another emphasized the item did not include funding and could be revisited. The council directed staff to obtain legal clarification on whether the dedication as written violates state law and to return with recommendations.