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Board approves audit items and official journal, defers proposed lobbying contract
Summary
The council unanimously approved required audit forms and an extension to complete the 2025 audit, named the Plaquemines Gazette as the official journal (7–0–1), and deferred a proposed contract with Mercury Public Affairs after commissioners raised questions about registration, value and timing.
At its meeting the Plaquemines Parish Council approved routine audit and administration items, approved an official newspaper and deferred a proposed lobbying contract for further review.
Commissioner Schultz and staff explained a Louisiana compliance questionnaire required for the annual audit; the board authorized the chairman and CFO to execute the questionnaire and later approved a request for an extension to complete the 2025 single audit report. Both items were approved 8–0.
The board also voted on a resolution naming the Plaquemines Gazette as the official journal; the item passed with seven yes votes and one abstention after a Gazette representative and residents spoke in favor of student involvement in the paper.
Commissioner Guey introduced a month‑to‑month contract with Mercury Public Affairs to provide federal and state lobbying services. Members of the public and several commissioners questioned the firm's recorded activity, registration status in 2025 and whether the district was receiving sufficient value for the proposed fee. "We not getting a bang for the buck with this company," one resident said during public comment. Commissioners agreed to defer the item for two weeks so they could review the contract and consult outside sources, including Senator Vidder's input and corrected contract language.
