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Kenner council defers resolution seeking parish park fee money after heated debate
Summary
Councilmembers sparred over a proposal to have Jefferson Parish dedicate Lafrenier Park service-fee revenue to Kenner parks; opponents warned the change would be unlawful and risked service-cost ‘snowball’ effects. After extended debate the council voted 6–1 to defer the resolution indefinitely.
Councilmembers debated and ultimately deferred indefinitely a resolution asking Jefferson Parish to amend the ordinance governing the Lafrenier Park Recreation Service Charge so that fees collected from Kenner households would be dedicated to parks and recreation inside the city.
The measure, introduced by Council Member Brennan, sought discussion with parish leaders about directing an estimated $380,000–$428,000 a year in Lafrenier Park fees back to Kenner to support local playground and park improvements. "We're generating fees that are between $380,000 and $428,000 annually from Kenner households that go to Lafrenier Park," Brennan said, urging colleagues to at least discuss whether some of that revenue could be dedicated to Kenner facilities.
Councilwoman Bohannan, who opposed the resolution, said the service charge and district are established by law and that unilaterally diverting funds would require changes at the parish and possibly state levels. Bohannan challenged the timing and legality of the proposal and detailed parish investments in parks, including programs and recent capital outlays. "Diverting the funds would be illegal," she said, and argued the better course is coordination and prioritizing local capital projects rather than reassigning a regional fee.
Mayor Glazer cautioned the body about potential unintended consequences. He cited an ongoing transit operating cost for a local shuttle and warned that attempting to reclaim a fee could lead to new bills for services the city now receives. "It will have a snowball effect," the mayor said, noting the city could face offsetting charges for services if the parish reallocated revenue.
Other council members expressed a mix of support for seeking additional funding for parks and concern about the timing of the resolution, which came to the agenda shortly before an election. Some members said they would prefer to leave the question to a future council or pursue a structured conversation with parish leadership. Several speakers emphasized the need for better intergovernmental coordination to secure funding without harming existing service agreements.
After debate, Council Member La Hat moved for an indefinite deferral; the motion was seconded and passed on a 6–1 vote, with Brennan recorded as the lone vote in opposition. The council took no further action on the resolution at the meeting.
