FEMA to finance Jesse Dufrene station

Lafourche Parish President Charlotte Randolph began the Oct. 26 parish council meeting by delivering good news to the public.

Randolph announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) agreed to finance $1.5 million for the construction of the Jesse Dufrene Pump Station in Gheens, which was originally budgeted as a $1.3 million project.

FEMA will also award up to $300,000 to the Planning and Permits Department, Randolph said.

“It does seem as if the sun is shining a little bit more,” she said. “We could have a good Christmas present come January.”

She also said tax assessments increased by $8 million from original projections and amendments will be looked at in January to bolster the 2011 budget and reflect these potential windfalls.

The 2011 budget hearings are scheduled for Nov. 8 and Nov. 9 with enactment scheduled for Nov. 23.

In other news, Lafourche received a grant from the Louisiana Recovery Authority that will finance the Center for Planning Excellence (CPEX) to facilitate the parish’s long-term plans.

The role of CPEX is to educate communities on good planning and provide the tools the planning committee will need, said Elizabeth Thomas, who represented the corporation.

Thomas made a presentation to the council, outlining the company’s plans to help Lafourche plan for the future. She said CPEX would not play a direct role in the process but instead act as an advisor.

“I think it’s important you bring in the development you want and you control the development,” Thomas said. “We will be here as you need us. We’ll be glad to give you any assistance.”

Thomas said the citizens of Lafourche would ultimately decide the direction they will go in outlining the 15-20 year blueprint for the parish. She said it will take from four to six months for the parish to decide what it wants, and then it will be about a year-and-a-half process.

Lafourche senior planner Karen Vaughn will lead the process, and she said public meetings will be announced and they will work in conjunction with the Drainage Master Plan.

CPEX advises communities on long-term planning regarding land use, transportation, economic development and public infrastructure among other projects.

“Let’s preserve the culture of Lafourche,” Thomas said.