Council approves Industrial Development Board pilot agreements after public Q&A
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Summary
After public comment and a prolonged Q&A, the Lafourche Parish Council approved two Industrial Development Board lease/bond agreements — one with Performance Food Group (approved 7-0 with one abstention) and another with Triple Sun Holdings (approved 8-0) — that use pilot tax-abatement mechanisms and payments-in-lieu of taxes.
The Lafourche Parish Council voted April 14 to acknowledge two Industrial Development Board agreements that use pilot tax-abatement mechanisms and bonds for local economic development.
Item 36, a lease and bond agreement between the Industrial Development Board of the Parish of Lafourche and Performance Food Group, passed after public comment and council questions by a vote of 7 yays, 0 nays and 1 abstention (Miss Chasson); one council member (Mr. Adams) was absent. Item 37, a parallel agreement with Triple Sun Holdings LLC, passed 8‑0 with one absence.
Wendy Thibodeaux, the parish assessor, addressed the council and said the IDB process provides oversight and a public avenue to address projects. Marguerite Erwin, representing local economic interests, urged support for pilot programs and cited local returns from previous projects, noting, "the $250,000 in sales tax from the Holiday Inn Express last year" as an example of local benefit.
Council members pressed for clarifications: questions included how projects are selected, whether pilots replicate old enterprise-zone benefits, who pays which taxes and whether abatements favor large out‑of‑parish corporations. Chet (Chet) Chasson, identified as the Industrial Development Board chairman, said the pilot is supported by the state economic development agency, targets new construction and job creation, and that payments-in-lieu are distributed among taxing districts. Wendy Thibodeaux clarified that the pilot exempts certain personal property (furniture/fixtures not conveyed), and that inventory taxes remain taxable — she estimated Performance Food Group's inventory tax at about $250,000 a year.
Parish President Mitch Ojourner and multiple council members said the IDB packet includes the pilot criteria and financial details, and that the council expects the IDB's vetting to guide approvals. Several councilors urged trust in the board's expertise while reserving the right to question specifics.
Next steps: both agreements were acknowledged by the council and the parish president was authorized to execute relevant documents. The transcript shows the council will continue oversight through board reporting and standard public review procedures.
