Library director requests roughly $591,250 to finish main-branch roof; council presses contractor oversight

Marjorie Hills, director of the Iberia Parish Library, told the finance committee on Oct. 13 that her capital requests for 2026 focus on building maintenance, particularly roof replacements at the main branch and several smaller branches.

Hills said the flat portion of the main branch roof work is essentially complete and cost roughly $79,950; the sloped portion and remaining repairs, including asbestos abatement, tile replacement and damaged lighting and insulation, raise the projected total remaining cost to approximately $591,250. Hills said the contractor and MBSB Architects (Mark) estimated that a composite-slate replacement carries a 30-year warranty.

Council members asked for regular updates on procurement and contractor performance; Hills said she had documentation and a trail of emails and had engaged Lafayette public library contacts to identify the architectural firm. Several councilors urged the library to continue close oversight and phased procurement; the finance office said it is running the procurement process in phases and working with the parish's procurement staff to keep competition.

Hills also requested small personnel increases to retain staff, increased advertising and technology investments (maker space and possible 3-D/laser printing), and said two branches built in 2021 (Louisville and Coteau) do not need immediate work. The committee treated the presentation as informational; budget details will be distributed in full before the council vote.