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Parish council restores approval requirement for Industrial Development Board bonds and tax exemptions
Summary
After weeks of preparation, the Lafush Parish Council amended a draft ordinance to require council approval before the Industrial Development Board may issue bonds or grant ad valorem tax exemptions, citing checks-and-balances concerns; the amendment passed 5–3 and the ordinance as amended carried.
The Lafush Parish Council voted May 26 to reinstate a provision requiring the council’s approval before the Industrial Development Board (IDB) may issue bonds or grant ad valorem tax exemptions.
Councilman Lraine proposed the amendment during debate on an ordinance to amend Chapter 34 of the parish code. He asked the council to “put back section 34-639” so the IDB “shall have no authority to issue bonds or other debt obligations … or grant ad valorem tax exemptions without having first obtained the approval of the parish council.” The amendment was seconded and opened to public comment.
Chad Shasso, who identified himself as president of the Industrial Development Board, told the council the board’s advisors — attorneys and tax consultants — believe IDBs in other parishes operate without mandatory council ratification. “To our knowledge … no other industrial development board in the state of Louisiana has that issue,” he said, urging the council to trust the appointed board’s ability to vet projects.
Council members who backed the amendment framed it as a matter of accountability. Councilman Melvin said the council “appointed this board” and that retaining approval gives the elected body a check if the board’s actions affect parish taxpayers. Opponents warned against micromanaging professionals and said the board typically handles technical vetting.
The amendment carried 5–3. The ordinance as amended was then approved; the clerk read the nays and recorded two dissenting votes and one absence.
What happens next: the ordinance as amended restores an explicit council role in any IDB decisions that would create debt or grant tax exemptions, meaning the board can still vet prospects but must return to the council for final approval on those specific financial authorizations.
Council speakers (first reference): Councilman Lraine; Chad Shasso, president, Industrial Development Board; Councilman Melvin.
