Council expected to tackle major infrastructure financing while setting timeline for next year's budget process

PORT ALLEN — The West Baton Rouge Parish Council will consider a $9.16 million bond ordinance for sewer system improvements and adoption of the 2026 budget schedule during tonight's regular meeting at the Parish Government Building.

$9.16M Sewer Bond Issue on Agenda

The council will vote on an ordinance authorizing the Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities and Community Development Authority to issue revenue bonds not exceeding $9.16 million for the Parish Sewer System Project.

If approved, the bonds would mature within 30 years and carry an interest rate not exceeding 7% annually. Proceeds would finance improvements to the parish-wide sewer system, fund reserve accounts, and cover bond issuance costs including municipal insurance if required. The financing structure would use sewer system revenues for repayment rather than general tax funds.

2026 Budget Process Schedule

Council members will consider adopting a comprehensive timeline for developing the 2026 parish budget, with the proposed process beginning September 1st and concluding with final adoption on December 11th.

Proposed key dates include:

• September 1: Budget process begins
• October 3: All departmental budgets due to council office
• October 9: Council receives budget copies
• October 27-28: Special budget review meetings at 5:30 PM
• November 13: Public hearing ordinance introduction
• December 11: Final budget adoption

The proposed schedule would provide three months for departments to prepare budget requests and allow for two dedicated council review sessions before public hearings begin.

Fire Department Budget Adjustment on Agenda

The council will consider amendments to the 2025 Fire Department budget expenses. The proposed budget adjustment would reduce vehicle purchase allocations from $914,589 to $214,589—a decrease of $700,000—while increasing equipment purchases from $383,379 to $506,279, representing a net reduction of $577,100 in total fire department spending.

Multiple Zoning Changes Under Consideration

Council members will review several zoning amendments and master plan changes:

Brittany T. Free Property (5855 Horner Road): Proposal to rezone approximately 1.015 acres from Agricultural Large Scale to Agricultural Small Scale. The property, currently used for residential and pasture/woods, would allow for proposed residential development on the tract.

Walter and Tiffany LeBlanc Property (5950 Rambin Road, Brusly): A 5.31-acre tract would be rezoned from Agricultural Large Scale to Residential Minor, reflecting the changing character of the area from rural agricultural use to residential development.

East West Landco Property (3790 Rosedale Road): The council will consider rezoning a 4+-acre portion of a 29+-acre tract from Residential Single Family to Agricultural with a Special Use Permit for agriculture storage and distribution. The property would be used for agricultural equipment storage and trailers.

All zoning changes would require master plan amendments to maintain consistency between the parish's official zoning map and long-term development planning documents.

Major Subdivision Development Under Review

The council will consider preliminary plat approval for Sugar Pointe Lots 1-48, a 164.378-acre development proposal on Rosedale Road in the southeastern part of the parish along the Mississippi River. The proposed subdivision by F&A Investments, LLC would represent one of the largest residential developments to come before the council in recent years.

The project includes a waiver request for block length standards, with some blocks exceeding the typical 950-foot and 1,150-foot limits established in parish development codes. Developer Francois Boulanger's engineering firm, Evans-Graves Engineers, argues that additional roads and blocks would require more public maintenance infrastructure while reducing the size of individual lots and "diminishing desired characteristics of the neighborhood."

Parish departments including Road Superintendent, Drainage Superintendent, Director of Utilities, and Chief Building Inspector have signed off on the waiver application with no objections, according to documents submitted to the Planning & Zoning Commission.

The development has followed standard procedures requiring public notice—signs were posted on the property by August 8th with a public hearing during Planning & Zoning Meeting held August 19th before tonight's council consideration. The property is currently classified as Agricultural Land with a taxable value of $4,010 and generates $396.35 annually in parish taxes.

If the council approves the preliminary plat, the subdivision would transform 164 acres of rural agricultural land into a 48-lot residential community, potentially adding hundreds of new residents to an area that has remained largely agricultural.

Pickle Ball Court Bid Under Consideration

The council will review a bid from Quality Court Industries, LLC for pickle ball court installations at three parish recreation facilities. The company's base bid of $784,100 would cover court construction at Alexander Park in Brusly, Erwinville Recreation Center, and Port Allen Community Center. An alternate option worth $180,400 would provide additional features for the facilities.

The project would address growing demand for pickle ball facilities across the parish's recreation system.

Upcoming Public Hearings

The council will introduce an ordinance amending the Unified Development Code's zoning enforcement procedures, with a public hearing scheduled for October 9, 2025. The proposed changes would affect how the parish handles conditional use requirements and enforcement procedures.

What's Next

If approved tonight, the sewer system bond proceeds would enable the parish to address infrastructure needs without impacting the general fund, while the systematic budget timeline would ensure thorough review of all departmental requests before next year's adoption.

The council's next regular meeting would be scheduled for the second Thursday of September, with the 2026 budget process beginning September 1st if tonight's schedule is adopted.

The West Baton Rouge Parish Council meets tonight at 5:30 PM at the Parish Government Building, 880 North Alexander Avenue, Port Allen.