Thibodaux to sell $8M in water bonds for improvements

Water revenue bonds, water enrichment grants and road improvement projects were the topics at last week’s Thibodaux City Council meeting.

The city council passed a resolution to issue the bonds in an amount not to exceed $8 million for improvements to the city’s waterworks system.

The council adopted a resolution in January stating the city’s intention to issue the bonds. However, a public hearing had to be held before the resolution could be sent to the State Bond Commission.

“If the city does not receive any petition from the registered voters voicing objection to the bond issue, then we have the authority to issue the bonds without an election,” Thibodaux Mayor Charles Caillouet said.

The council passed the measure 5-0.

A second resolution had to be passed to show that the council approved the measure without any voter objection. Caillouet said the State Bond Commission will review both resolutions at the commission is next meeting on April 16.

The council authorized the mayor to proceed with applying for a water enrichment grant that will give the city $50,000 in assistance for improvements and upgrades at Water Plant No. 3.

City Grants Director Bonnie Lafont told the council that the upgrades will be used in part to get the plant up to DEQ standards, providing for more efficient operations and improved water quality for city residents.

The council also approved hiring Leonard Chauvin to design an engineering contract for the city’s 2009 Road Improvement Project.

In addition, the Lafourche Parish Assessor’s Office notified the council that the city needs to consider the adoption of an ordinance levying the city’s ad valorem tax millage for 2009.

Council clerk Jennifer Morvant informed the council that the millage assessment was adjusted last year based on a statewide reassessment.

The city did not exercise the roll forward option for the 2008 tax year, but does have the option to roll forward the prior year’s maximum rate before the next reassessment.

The council will vote on two ordinances on May 5 at its regular meeting. The first will adopt the adjusted millage rates that the city levied in 2008. The ordinance must be approved by a simple majority of the council, Morvant said.

The second ordinance shows both the adjusted rate and the proposed roll forward rates that would be assessed on the 2009 tax rolls. Morvant said the second ordinance must receive a two-thirds vote in order for the council to proceed with the roll forward.

Prior to the council vote, residents can voice their concerns about levying the ad valorem tax at the public hearing during the council’s May 5 meeting.