Council rejects ordinance to outsource mosquito control, keeping existing fee code

Ordinance No. 26-87, offered by Council Member Chris Schulz, would have dissolved the Parish Mosquito Control Department, enacted Article IX (Mosquito Control) in Chapter 13 of the Parish Code, and authorized a contract with Vector Disease Control International to provide mosquito abatement services funded by a dedicated Mosquito Control user fee incorporated on monthly water bills.

The ordinance included a monthly fee schedule (3/4" meter $7.00; 1" $8.00; 1.5" $9.00; 2" $10.00; 3" $15.00; 4" $25.00; 6" $35.00; 8" $45.00; 10" $55.00) and language (Sec. 13-120) that would dedicate all revenues generated by the user fee exclusively to mosquito control purposes, including abatement, surveillance and contract oversight.

Council Member Chris Schulz moved adoption; Council Member Ronnie Newsom seconded. On roll call the ordinance failed: YEAS — Council Members Brian Champagne, Chris Schulz, Stuart J. Guey and Ronnie Newsom; NAYS — Council Members Tyronne Edwards, Patricia L. McCarty, Carlton M. LaFrance, Sr., Mitch Jurisich and Mark Cognevich. The minutes record the motion, the vote tally and that the ordinance failed on July 9, 2026; they do not record extended debate or the speakers’ floor statements in detail.

Because the ordinance failed, the Mosquito Control Department was not dissolved and the existing Code language and fee structure remained in place. The minutes show the Council directed the Secretary to certify and release the ordinance language for the record; no subsequent hearing date or continuing action on this item is specified in the minutes.

The Council meeting continued with other business and adjourned at 4:53 p.m.