Schultz proposes charter change to cut Plaquemines Parish council to seven; residents warn of diluted minority representation

Council member Mitch Schultz introduced a proposal to put a charter amendment on the October ballot that would change Plaquemines Parish from a nine‑member council to a seven‑member body and require at‑large members to reside in the at‑large districts they represent. Schultz said the measure would be timed to coincide with statewide October elections and — if approved by voters — take effect in 2030 after new district lines are drawn.

Schultz framed the change as a cost‑saving and efficiency measure, saying the parish currently spends about $765,000 annually on council members and assistants and that a smaller council would reduce that to roughly $595,000, “a saving of at least $170,000 a year,” funds he said could be redirected to water and road improvements. “We are letting the people decide,” Schultz said, arguing smaller councils work in neighboring parishes.

Public commenters and council members raised concerns that the plan could reduce representation for historically underrepresented communities. Chadwick, who identified himself during the public comment period, said reducing seats “doesn’t add up” for fair representation and warned of potential Voting Rights Act litigation if minority communities lose ability to elect candidates of their choice. “We can expose the entire parish to…multiple millions” in litigation costs, he said.

Legal counsel Garrett explained the legal process: a charter change does not become effective until voters approve it, and a Voting Rights Act analysis generally occurs after districts are drawn; preclearance rules that existed before the Shelby County decision no longer apply. Garrett said lawsuits could still follow adoption when new maps are drawn, but the timing of any federal challenge would depend on how district lines are implemented.

Several council members voiced strong opposition on representational grounds. Councilman Edwards called the proposal “about power,” saying, “When you reduce it down, if you got five members you only need three votes…This is about power.” Resident Drexel Narcisse told the council he feared losing neighborhood‑level advocacy: “I don't think we're gonna have that representation who's gonna be willing to fight for the needs of the Lower End and the East Bank.”

Other council members urged letting voters decide and noted prior discussions of similar changes. Councilman Newsome said he trusts Plaquemines voters to make the call; Schultz said he would withdraw and reintroduce a cleaned up version of the amendment at the next meeting so the public can see the final language before action is taken. No charter change vote occurred at this meeting.