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Terrebonne council authorizes backup inspection contract with South Central amid debate over multi‑year term and auto‑renewal
Summary
The Community Development and Planning Committee approved a cooperative agreement allowing the parish to continue using South Central Planning for supplemental plan review and building inspection services, after staff said the monthly fee has been $15,335 and members expressed concern about a three‑year term and an auto‑renewal clause.
The Community Development and Planning Committee voted 5–4 on June 22 to authorize the parish president to enter a cooperative endeavor agreement with the South Central Planning and Development Commission to continue supplemental plan review and building inspection services.
Chris Pilaski, director of planning, told the committee the parish has been paying a monthly fee of $15,335 — about $184,020 a year — for the arrangement while the parish filled vacancies in its inspection staff. "The monthly fee that we've been paying is $15,335 a month times 12, $184,020," Pilaski said, and explained that the payment covered ongoing access to inspectors while the parish's two new full‑time inspectors complete remaining commercial certifications.
Pilaski said the parish expects the in‑house inspectors to finish required certifications by the end of July and that the administration plans to phase down regular use of South Central once that occurs, but retain the ability to call the contractor for short‑term needs such as staff illness, vacations or storm response.
Several council members questioned the proposed contract term and an automatic renewal clause. "I don't like the idea of a three‑year contract," said Councilman Trosclair, arguing for a one‑year contract with renewals or a short trial period. Councilman Pledger likewise urged a shorter commitment and more transparency on budgeting for long‑term fees.
Pilaski clarified the billing mechanics: an inspector can be engaged at about $700 per day and plans‑examiner fees for new commercial work are charged per square foot. He added that if routine use of the contractor exceeds amounts the administration can cover with a line‑item adjustment, the parish would return to council for a formal budget amendment.
After discussion about staffing progress, budgeting and whether to remove automatic renewal language, the committee approved the resolution authorizing the parish president to enter the agreement. The motion was moved by Mr. Hamner and seconded by Mr. Babin; the final roll call recorded five ayes and four nays.
The committee did not adopt additional guardrails in the meeting; several members said they expect the issue of contract length and budget treatment to reappear during next year’s budget process. The administration said it will confer with budget staff regarding line‑item adjustments and bring clearer cost breakdowns if needed.
