Council approves amendment to rabies-control fund after architect warns cuts would reduce kennel capacity

The Iberia Parish Council debated changes to the rabies control fund on Feb. 25 after the low apparent bid for a proposed FPNC rabies facility came in higher than anticipated.

David Aller, senior architect with Aller Architects, told the council that 13 bidders participated in the Feb. 5 opening and that bids ranged "from 1,400,000.0 to $2,000,000," with the apparent low bidder at about $1,477,000 and a total with alternates near $1.56 million. He said the design prioritizes durable, cleanable materials (block walls, concrete slabs with epoxy flooring) and individual kennel drains to reduce disease transmission, and that substantially cutting kennels would be the main way to reduce cost.

Councilman Brock Pelerin moved an amendment to the previously advertised rabies-control fund budget (Summary No. 38) to increase available funding for the project. After discussion about funding sources, bids and the pace of existing contracts, the council voted on the amendment and the motion carried.

The transcript shows the amendment portion and vote occurred during the meeting; the clerk recorded that the vote carried. Staff indicated some of the funding comes from transfers and contributions and that the item had been pulled from consent for discussion and amendment. The council directed staff to continue work with the architect and provide budget and project updates at a later meeting.