Iberia Parish Council adopts 2026 budgets with line‑item amendments, adds landfill and animal‑care funding

The Iberia Parish Council voted Dec. 3 to adopt a package of 2026 budgets, approving the parish’s general fund and a series of special‑purpose funds while adding several targeted amendments.

The council adopted Ordinance (summary) number 5385, the 2026 general fund budget, after suspending the rules to allow consideration of five amendments. The amendments included a $5,000 increase to the marshal operational/salary line, a $3,000 increase to the county agent operations line, a new $5,000 spay/neuter voucher and promotions line to be run with a local 501(c)(3), an $18,000 add for a part‑time inspection office clerical position, and an $8,000 adjustment to governing‑body professional services to support software upgrades and IT support. The chair announced the measure carried; the clerk recorded two nays on the final tally.

Why it matters: The package bundles broad operating authority with small, targeted investments for animal welfare, inspections staffing and technology. Council members emphasized that several changes were modest line‑item adjustments meant to respond to specific operational needs without altering the budget’s overall structure.

Several other 2026 budgets were introduced and approved in sequence, including funds for juror/witness fees, road maintenance districts, road sales tax, drainage maintenance, library board operations, fire protection districts, airport authority, community development block grant, and a range of specialized funds such as opioid abatement and HUD Section 8 voucher administration. In some cases members introduced administration amendments before final votes; where the clerk recorded an opposition it was noted on the record.

On landfill planning, the council approved Amendment 6 to add $250,000 to the solid waste tax landfill line for decommissioning and the possibility of acquiring a new site. A member noted the parish already had about $1,000,000 reserved for landfill matters, and the new appropriation is intended to fund early planning and land options.

On animal‑care funding, the council added a $5,000 line to support a voucher/promotions pilot with “BFF spay neuter project incorporated,” a local 501(c)(3). A council member said the nonprofit had run a recent promotional campaign ("20 cats for $20") and would provide quarterly updates if the program proceeds.

Direct quotes from the meeting include the amendment proponent’s explanation of the spay/neuter plan: “This would give them the opportunity to work through a CEA with the parish and private partnerships to provide these vouchers or promotions,” and a parish official’s description of the marshal line change: “If this passes tonight, that would make a line‑item adjustment to $41,040 in the [marshal] line item.”

What’s next: The council’s calendar shows additional committee and council meetings; members who proposed further adjustments said they will return with formal resolutions or amendments at subsequent meetings if needed. Several adopted budgets included administration‑sponsored amendments indicating staff will implement the line‑item changes during 2026.

Votes and procedural notes: The record shows each ordinance was moved and seconded before a voice/machine vote. The clerk and chair announced outcomes on the record; when specific tallies or dissents were recorded the minutes reflect them (for example, two recorded nays on the general‑fund adoption).