Committee flags low inspection fees and outdated pipeline bond amounts for ordinance rewrite

During the Infrastructure Committee meeting, members flagged multiple inconsistencies in the parish code governing bonds, permitting and inspection fees for pipelines and utility work.

The presenter pointed to code sections (administrative section 2.54 and a cross-reference in section 58.331) and told the committee the ordinance currently references a surety amount of "$150,000 a road mile" for pipeline work and inspection fees of $15 and $25 in places. He said those amounts are out of date and that parts of the utility section contradict one another on required cover depth and other technical details.

Committee members described field incidents where contractors opened ditches or placed pipe without proper traffic control and then left the site. The presenter recommended requiring a project permit with pre-notification, post-notification and an increased surety for major projects; he also proposed an inspection checklist and stronger enforcement so the parish can require repairs rather than rely on low bonds and fee amounts.

Why it matters: Members said current low fees shift costs to the parish because inspectors and enforcement cost more than the ordinance recovers. Updating the surety and inspection-fee schedule would help the parish recover costs and provide stronger means to require proper restoration and traffic safety when utilities work in parish rights-of-way.

Next steps: Presenter will prepare ordinance edits and a recommended fee schedule for the committee and, as appropriate, refer recommendations to the ordinance/P&Z committee for formal action.