Iberia Parish communications director seeks repairs for EOC and server room; staffing stable

Lance Provost, director of the Iberia Parish Communications District, presented his department’s 2026 budget on Oct. 13, telling the finance committee the request is largely similar to prior years while identifying several facility repairs and a personnel adjustment.

Provost said the district needs to replace a window at the emergency operations center and to address aging air-conditioning units that cool the communications center and server room; his first estimate for the AC work was about $20,000. He said two server-room chillers ('A' and 'B') had failed recently and that funds were diverted this year from a district vehicle to pay for repairs.

Provost proposed a 5% increase in payroll-related costs and removed a line for part-time employees because the district is fully staffed; he said that by 2026 he expects 12 full-time dispatchers on the floor and credited assistant director Jenny Esterly for staffing. Councilors asked about warranty coverage and indirect-cost allocations; Provost said warranty coverage had lapsed for some items and described his payroll and benefits assumptions.

The presentation was informational; committee members did not amend the budget at the meeting and requested further detail in budget materials.