Iberia Parish reports rising permits, First Solar expansion update and schedules T‑Bayou drainage public hearing

In announcements to the council on April 8, the Parish President said parish departments continue steady progress on road projects and that contractor Glenn Lege will begin cross‑drain work on North Side Road next week. Officials held an update with First Solar and U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy about infrastructure needs to support parish growth.

The parish’s permitting office issued 64 building permits in March 2026, generating $36,581 in building permit revenue, compared with 36 permits and $26,085 in March 2025 — a cited increase of about 70% in permit counts and a year‑over‑year rise in permit revenue. Total permit revenue from all permits sold in March was reported as $46,638, a 29% increase over the prior year.

The Parish President announced a public hearing on May 29 (recorded in the agenda as April 29 at 5:00 p.m. in Council Chambers) to discuss the T‑Bayou drainage assessment; engineers will present project scope and answer questions. The parish also announced an annual household waste collection day for residents on May 2, and noted several open parish job postings.

An airport rebid for the ARA air traffic control tower rehab produced a low bid of $648,000, which the administration said exceeds the budgeted amount and is under review by airport staff for options to proceed.