Council narrows Industrial Development Board authority after debate over tax exemptions and bonds

The Lafourche Parish Council on May 26 restored a check on the Industrial Development Board, voting to require the board to obtain parish council approval before issuing bonds or approving ad valorem tax exemptions.

Councilman Lraine offered the amendment, saying the council — as the elected body that ratified board appointments — must retain oversight. “The board needs to be held accountable just like this parish council is held accountable to the people you represent,” Lraine said during debate.

Chad Shasso, who identified himself as president of the Industrial Development Board, told the council the board’s legal advisers and tax consultants had not found other Louisiana parishes that require routine return-to-council approval for those actions. “No other board basically the council appoints them that board to work on your behalf to vet all of these businesses,” Shasso said, arguing the board performs technical vetting for potential projects.

Council members split on the issue. The amendment passed by a 5-3 vote. The full ordinance as amended then passed 6-2 (nays recorded by Chairman Otan and Mr. Perk), with one absence noted.

Supporters of the amendment described it as a restoration of oversight over taxing authority and debt issuance; opponents warned against micromanaging business professionals and creating delays. The amendment and the final ordinance preserve the IDB but add an explicit council-approval step for debt issuance and tax-exemption decisions.

The council scheduled no additional action; the ordinance as amended took effect according to the usual ratification process.