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Abita Springs approves up to $3.75M utilities bond and a 2% minimum rate adjustment as crews repair water main
Summary
The Board of Aldermen approved a bond ordinance to allow up to $3.75 million in taxable utilities revenue bonds to fund sewer projects (including the Keller Street lift station and an east force main) and adopted a resolution setting an annual water/sewer-rate floor at 2% (or CPI, whichever is greater). Staff reported recent sewer overflows and a multi-day water main break that prompted a localized boil-water advisory.
Abita Springs aldermen on March 17 approved an ordinance authorizing taxable utilities revenue bonds of up to $3,750,000 to finance sewer and utility work and adopted a companion resolution establishing how water and sewer rates will be adjusted annually for bond-program compliance.
The bond ordinance (Instrument 2026-02-01) is intended to fund projects including the Keller Street lift station and an east force main; council opened the public hearing, took brief public comment in favor of repairing the system, closed the hearing and carried the ordinance by roll call.
Council also adopted a rate-resolution amendment to set annual adjustments at the greater of 2% or the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index (South) for the preceding calendar year; staff said the state Clean Water State Revolving Fund program requires a minimum floor for rate adjustments to ensure sustainable utility funding. A technical correction to an exhibit (numerical rounding: $80.10 should read $80.10 rather than $80.11) was approved before adoption.
Wastewater operations staff presented the annual Municipal Water Pollution Prevention Report required under the towns discharge permit. Operator Dette said points used in the permits tracking system were lower this year because the wastewater plant has had no permitted discharge since August 2024; remaining points come from sanitary-sewer overflows at manholes during heavy rain and from new developments connecting to the system.
Public commenters also described a multi-day water supply incident: resident Steve Fan commended the utility crew for locating and repairing a major leak that left multiple blocks with low pressure and prompted a boil-water advisory. Staff reported the affected area extended roughly from 6th to 9th Street and St. Joseph to St. Mary; crews traced the loss to a 4-inch line that had been blown open and repaired it. "Kudos to the guys that have worked so hard the last four days," Fan said.
Staff told the council that a camera test for a well has been delayed two weeks and that an interconnection with North Park is in place but not yet being used; town officials said they will not activate that interconnect until they're closer to completing the well testing.
The bond ordinance and both resolutions were adopted during the March 17 meeting; staff said the financing and the rate-adjustment policy will support the towns applications to the bond commission and the state revolving fund.
Next steps: staff will proceed with bond-related application materials and continue operational repairs and well testing; citizens are encouraged to monitor town notices for any future boil-water advisories or service changes.
