Town hall meetings July 16-19 on charter changes

Claire Taylor | The Daily Advertiser

Show Caption Hide Caption Conrad Comeaux addresses council about possible charter changer Lafayette resident Conrad Comeaux, a former parish councilman and current assessor, addressed the City-Parish Council July 10, 2018, about a proposal to split the council into a city council and parish council.

Town hall meetings are scheduled next week to help Lafayette Parish residents to understand proposed changes to the Home Rule Charter.

The Lafayette City-Parish Council introduced an ordinance this week that would replace the combined council with separate city and parish councils for the first time since the two were consolidated in 1996.

The matter returns to the council July 24 for possible final action. If the council approves, voters may be asked to decide the issue Dec. 8.

At the July 10 meeting, councilmen and residents complained that they know little about the proposal.

Five town hall meetings are scheduled to help residents better understand the plan.

Town hall meeting schedule

July 16, 5:30 p.m., hosted by District 8 Councilwoman Liz Hebert and District 6 Councilman Bruce Conque, Southside Regional Library, 6101 Johnston St., Lafayette.

July 17, 5:30 p.m., hosted by District 4 Councilman Kenneth Boudreaux, Clifton Chenier Center auditorium, 220 W. Willow St., Lafayette.

July 18, 5:30 p.m., hosted by District 7 Councilwoman Nanette Cook, Comeaux Recreation Center, 411 W. Bluebird Drive, Lafayette.

July 19, 5:30 p.m., hosted by District 3 Councilman Pat Lewis, council auditorium, City Hall, 705 W. University Ave., Lafayette.

July 19, 6 p.m., hosted by District 2 Councilman Jay Castille, Carencro Community Center, 5115 N. University Ave., Carencro.

What would the charter amendment do?

Abolish the combined nine-person city-parish council and replace it with a five-person city of Lafayette council and a five-person parish council.

Abolish the planning and zoning commission and create separate ones for the city and the parish.

Keep salaries of the city and parish councils at $30,356 a year, the same as what city-parish council members are paid today.

Not change the election or responsibilities of the mayor president.

Not deconsolidate Lafayette Consolidated Government.

Ensure only people elected by city of Lafayette voters make decisions on issues, budgets and taxes that only concern the city of Lafayette.

Abolish the Lafayette Public Utilities Authority and make the city council the governing authority over Lafayette Utilities System.

Create a separate parish council to decide parish-wide issues, such as the parish courthouse and jail, and those involving unincorporated areas of the parish.

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