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Council approves engineering, drainage and contract awards and introduces $94.5M revenue bond ordinance
Summary
The New Iberia City Council approved multiple contract awards for parks, drainage and engineering projects, reconciled asphalt reconstruction change orders, and introduced an ordinance to authorize a $94.5 million taxable revenue bond for sewer and flow-reroute capacity projects (hearing set for 03/03/2026).
At its Feb. 11 meeting, the New Iberia City Council approved a package of contracts, change orders and budget actions tied to roads, drainage and building improvements, and introduced a high-value bond ordinance for future sewer and flow-reroute work.
Contract and project approvals
Council approved Resolution 2621 to award a contract to Paul J. Allen Architects (contingent on facility planning approval) to begin architectural work on a community building restroom upgrade project using American Rescue Plan Act funds. It also approved contracts and engineering awards including:
- Resolution 2624: award to Bayrock Havison Associates for North Bay Area engineering and planning to prepare shovel-ready designs; mayor said combining state capital outlay with local funds will position projects for larger future construction dollars.
- Resolution 2625: award to Staples Engineering and Consulting LLC for the Highland and Plantation drainage project; staff summarized prior studies and modeling and said the project will increase pipe sizes, add catch basins and inlets and is funded from the city’s drainage fund plus expected state supplements.
Road projects and change orders
The council approved a certificate of financial completion for recent road work and adopted Resolution 2623, an administrative change order balancing estimated vs. actual costs across 20 streets in the asphalt reconstruction project (staff described a net deductive change and returned contingency funds in places).
Hopkin Street economic development funds
Council approved a cooperative endeavor agreement (Resolution 2627) with Iberia Parish enabling $8,000 to flow to the Hopkin Street Economic Development District; staff explained the funds arrived via the parish tourism office and the local Hopkins Street group will decide how to use it.
Revenue bond introduction
The council introduced an ordinance authorizing issuance of a taxable revenue bond (DEQ) in the amount of $94,500,000 and set a public hearing for March 3, 2026. The mayor explained that a related segment of the flow-reroute work would require approximately $4.5 million to address specific capacity constraints and that the loan terms include a low interest rate and partial forgiveness on a portion of the debt. The ordinance was introduced for further consideration and a hearing was scheduled.
School revenue-sharing agreement
Council introduced Resolution 2629 to authorize a cooperative endeavor agreement with the local school district to split revenue from automated enforcement cameras, subject to Louisiana Attorney General Opinion No. 25-0114 and AG review; city attorney Jeff Sawman said the school board had agreed and the city had submitted documents to the AG’s office for approval before execution.
Why it matters: The combination of contract awards, drainage and road reconciliations plus the bond introduction represents the council’s near-term approach to making capital projects shovel-ready and to funding longer-term sewer and flow capacity improvements. A public hearing on the bond is scheduled for 03/03/2026 and the school revenue-sharing agreement is pending AG approval.
Next steps: Contracts proceed to standard review/contingencies (facility planning, contractor submittals); staff will provide maps/lists for road projects and APC/DOTD will provide formal project limits for the Dale Street safety project.
