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New Iberia council authorizes multiple grant applications and tallies capital-outlay wins
Summary
Council authorized applications for several federal and state grants covering sewer, drainage, flood mitigation and cybersecurity; the mayor reported securing capital-outlay awards including $450,000 for PepperPlex odor control and $1 million cash for roads, with $4 million allocated for next year.
The New Iberia City Council on Wednesday approved multiple resolutions authorizing staff to submit grant applications for EPA community grants, state/local cybersecurity small grants (SLCGP), flood mitigation assistance and other infrastructure funds aimed at sewer and drainage improvements.
Mayor (presiding) said the city pursues many small and large grants and that the administration prioritizes sewer projects because the city’s sewer fees are not high enough to fund needed work. “We got 1 for $750,000 that we just decided the last minute to try,” the mayor said when describing application priorities, adding staff prepare design work in advance to improve competitiveness.
Councilmembers noted the grant rounds often require matching funds; staff and the mayor said department budgets or existing capital funds are generally used to provide the local match when required. Members also urged use of grants for cameras and communications in police and municipal buildings and asked staff to pursue cybersecurity and communications grants for under-served areas.
In extended remarks the mayor reported successful capital-outlay funding from the state: $450,000 for odor control at the PepperPlex, $1,000,000 cash available now for road projects and $4,000,000 expected next year. The mayor said additional funds — including $5,000,000 allocated for the following year — will allow the city to advance a series of road and drainage projects, accelerate engineering work and address hot spots identified across districts.
Council approved the resolutions to submit applications; the grants will be pursued as competitive opportunities and will return to the council for acceptance if awarded.
