St. Charles Parish Council Regular Meeting and Budget Hearing - October 26, 2026

The St. Charles Parish Council held a Regular Meeting and Budget Hearing on Monday, October 26, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers of the Parish Courthouse in Hahnville. The meeting included a prayer by Father Lance Campo, approval of previous meeting minutes, special recognitions, departmental reports, a public hearing on the FY2027 budget with multiple amendments, approval of a rezoning postponement, and resolutions for contracts and agreements.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: Unanimously approved the minutes of the Regular Meeting on October 12, 2026.
• In Memoriam: Proclamation 2026-0336 honoring Monica Ann Williams, a retired parish employee of over 33 years, was read and accepted. Her sisters attended.
• Eagle Scout Recognition: Proclamation 2026-0338 recognized Daniel Sam Broussard as the 74th Eagle Scout from Troop 370. Councilmember Fisher, also an Eagle Scout, congratulated him.
• Resolution 2026-0339: A resolution endorsing a waiver from subdivision regulations for Mark Mohon was approved unanimously after a brief explanation from Planning & Zoning.
• Resolution 2026-0344: A resolution authorizing a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Louisiana Department of the Treasury for $200,000 for the Des Allemands Bulkhead was approved unanimously.
• Appointment 2026-0314: Mr. Noble J. Benoit was reappointed to the River Parishes Tourist Commission for a four-year term ending October 31, 2031, by unanimous vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• On Rezoning Petition 2026-0340: Multiple residents spoke against the proposed rezoning of Esperanza Plantation from C-3 to M-1/M-2.
  • Mr. Allemand (a farmer) expressed concern about losing prime agricultural land and questioned the suitability of heavy industrial zoning near schools and recreation. He noted this could be the largest loss of agricultural land since the 1960s.
  • Becca Hilburn (40 Melrose Drive) asked for deferral or denial, citing that the rezoning does not align with the Future Land Use Map (which designates the area for homes, shops, wetlands, and town center, not industry). She noted the parish’s own drainage plan requires a new pump station costing nearly $11 million, which is not budgeted; the applicant’s budget for drainage is zero; and no sewer line exists. She also pointed out that M-2 zoning allows data centers with on-site power plants per rules passed in June, and requested conditions to exclude M-2 and require a drainage study.
  • Mr. Bell (spoke after Hilburn) questioned the rush to rezone if there is no end user, and referred to a previous eight-month moratorium on data centers that did not pass. He noted that five councilmembers waived the waiting period while three kept it.
  • Robert Lee (369 Rosedale Drive) expressed opposition, stating he does not want a data center with jet turbines in St. Charles Parish, which he called a “Parish of Plenty.” He noted that seven out of ten Americans support a one-year moratorium on data centers.
• On Budget Ordinance 2026-0173: One speaker (Mr. Allemand) commented on the budget, asking for drainage capital outlays for District 1, clarification on pump stations funded under Fund 123, and whether the engineering department’s budget includes money for hiring more engineers to save costs. He also noted that the parish budget has increased by 28% over nine years while population has declined by about 2,000 residents, and commended councilmembers for adjusting their budgets to fund community programs.
• On Change Order 2026-0318: Mr. Allemand questioned the large time decrease (141 days) for a relatively small cost reduction ($34,677), but accepted the explanation.

Discussion Items

• Planning and Zoning Petition 2026-0340 (Esperanza Land Rezoning): The Parish President requested indefinite postponement and referral back to the Planning Commission due to confusion from a TikTok video containing “completely fabricated and false accusations.” After public testimony, the council discussed the matter. Councilmember Comardelle noted that the property is inherited and no one wants to farm sugar cane, and that M-2 zoning exists nearby (e.g., concrete plant, Barrier Construction). He argued the rezoning is about property rights, not an end user. Parish President Jewell emphasized that the application came from a property owner exercising rights, and the council is required to process it. The motion to postpone indefinitely passed unanimously.
• Budget Ordinance 2026-0173 (FY2027 Budget Hearing): The public hearing included a series of amendments proposed by councilmembers to reduce their district budgets and reallocate funds.
  • Amendment (O’Daniels): Reduce District 5 budget by $31,500; add $15,750 to health/safety rehab home repairs and $15,750 to community services food bank. Passed unanimously.
  • Amendment (O’Daniels): Add $63,000 to Recreation Fund 113 as a placeholder for Parquet Park restrooms (re-categorization of existing funds). Passed unanimously.
  • Amendment (Wilson): Reduce District 1 budget by $6,610; transfer to Recreation for Prime Time Seniors educational/recreational programs. Passed unanimously.
  • Amendment (deBruler): Reduce general fund account for sheriff feeding/prisoners by $100,000; add to Fortified Roof Program. Passed unanimously.
  • Amendment (Fonseca): Increase grant revenues by $50,000 (cybersecurity grant); reduce Division B budget by $35,000; total $85,000 added to Home Elevation Grant Program. Passed unanimously.
  • Amendment (Fonseca): Reduce 2026 general fund transfer to Roads and Drainage Fund 112 by $250,000 to begin raising required minimum fund balance to $10 million over six years. Passed unanimously.
  • Amendment (Fisher): Reduce District 6 budget by $35,500; add $25,000 from general fund surplus; total $60,500 added to Home Elevation Grant Program. Passed unanimously. Councilmember Daniels thanked Fonseca for the elevation program addition, noting its importance for cost-sharing in his district. The budget as amended was then approved unanimously.
• Change Order 2026-0318 (Kinler Lift Station): Engineering staff explained the decrease of $34,677 and 141 days resulted from removing planned asphalt patching because a subsequent drainage and paving project (Kinler and Paul Frederick) will cover the entire road. Approved unanimously.
• Resolution 2026-0347 (Willowdale Blvd. Overlay and Widening Contract): This resolution authorized a $1,005,483 contract with Madden Gulf Coast, LLC. Councilmembers discussed the shift from ordinance to resolution for contract approval. Councilmember O’Daniels emphasized the need for consistent timelines and transparency, noting that the notice of intent to award was issued August 27, 2026. Councilmember Fonseca appreciated the administration’s posting of the council agenda on its Facebook page but requested continued newspaper publication for residents not on social media. The resolution passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Rezoning Postponed: File 2026-0340 (Esperanza Land) was postponed indefinitely and referred back to the Planning Commission for further review.
• FY2027 Budget Approved: Ordinance 2026-0173 was approved as amended. The final general fund balance after amendments is $7,250,000. Councilmember Fonseca announced she is working on an ordinance to raise the required minimum general fund balance to $10 million over six years.
• Change Order Approved: Change Order No. 1 (Final) for Kinler Lift Station approved, decreasing contract by $34,677.75 and 141 calendar days.
• Waiver Endorsed: Resolution 2026-0339 (subdivision block arrangement waiver for Mark Mohon) approved.
• Cooperative Endeavor Agreement Approved: Resolution 2026-0344 for $200,000 toward Des Allemands Bulkhead approved.
• Contract Awarded: Resolution 2026-0347 for Willowdale Blvd. Overlay and Widening (Project P240602) awarded to Madden Gulf Coast, LLC for $1,005,483.
• Tourist Commission Reappointment: Noble J. Benoit reappointed to the River Parishes Tourist Commission for a term ending October 31, 2031.
• Next Meetings: Upcoming meetings include Housing Authority (10/27), Hospital Service District (10/28), Planning & Zoning Commission (11/5), and next Parish Council meeting (11/9). Early voting for the November 3 election continues through October 27.