St. Charles Parish Informer · Meeting coverage · 6:00 PM · Council Chambers, Courthouse
Meeting Summary
This was the St. Charles Parish Council's regular meeting on December 15, 2025, the last meeting of the year and, per closing remarks, the last meeting for the current Council Chair and Vice Chair in those roles. The council approved a $3,735,000 loan/bond to fund the parish's ARC facility, authorized a May 2026 election to renew (at a reduced rate) the hospital district's property tax, heard a clean/"unmodified" annual audit opinion, and, over the objection of a resident citing a Louisiana Attorney General opinion and case law, passed a new fee schedule for copies of public records.
Decisions & Votes
Approved2025-0367$3,735,000.00
Limited Tax Bond Issuance for ARC Funding
Authorization for St. Charles Parish to issue limited tax bonds (a loan from Capital One Public Funding, LLC) in the amount of $3,735,000 at 3.99% fixed interest over 10 years to fund the ARC (Arts, Recreation, Culture facility). Funds are repayable solely from voter-approved tax proceeds.
Approved2025-0387
Hospital Service District No. 1 Special Tax Renewal Election Authorization
Resolution approving the holding of an election on Saturday, May 16, 2026, to authorize renewal of the special ad valorem tax (millage) for the hospital service district at a reduced rate of 2.13 mills. The tax funds construction, operation, and maintenance of hospital facilities and ambulance services on both banks of the parish.
Approved2025-0356$-30,990.93
Edward A. Dufresne Community Center Chiller Replacement Change Order No. 1
Authorization to execute change order number 1 for the chiller replacement/upgrade project at the Edward A. Dufresne Community Center to decrease the contract amount by $30,990.93. The chillers have been installed and are operational.
Approved2025-0363
2025 Consolidated Operating and Capital Budget Final Amendment
Final budget amendment for fiscal year 2025 to adjust beginning fund balances to actuals and adjust revenues and expenditures in various funds to officially close out the 2025 budget and ensure compliance with state requirement to stay within plus or minus 5% of budgeted amounts.
Approved2025-0369
East Bank Bridge Park Improvements Lighting Project Change Order No. 1
Authorization to execute change order number 1 for the East Bank Bridge Park Improvements lighting portion (rebid project) to increase contract time by 161 days due to river conditions and rainfall. No monetary adjustment; time extension only.
Approved2025-0371$150.00
Polling Place Lease Agreement with Luling Volunteer Fire Department (amended)
Authorization for Parish President to execute a polling place lease agreement with Luling Volunteer Fire Department for use as a polling place for District 2, Precinct 4 at an annual lease rate of $150 for a three-year term with automatic one-year renewal. Ordinance was amended to replace 'AIMA Volunteer Fire Department' with 'Luling Volunteer Fire Department' in multiple sections.
Moved by Councilman Commerdale (for amendment)Seconded by Councilwoman Skiba (for amendment)
Approved2025-0372$150.00
Polling Place Lease Agreement with Bayou Gosh Volunteer Fire Department
Authorization for Parish President to execute a polling place lease agreement with Bayou Gosh Volunteer Fire Department for use as a polling place for District 4, Precinct 2 at an annual lease rate of $150 for a three-year term with automatic one-year renewal.
Approved2025-0373$150.00
Polling Place Lease Agreement with Kelowna Volunteer Fire Department
Authorization for Parish President to execute a polling place lease agreement with Kelowna Volunteer Fire Department for use as a polling place for District 1, Precinct 1 at an annual lease rate of $150 for a three-year term with automatic one-year renewal.
Approved2025-0374$150.00
Polling Place Lease Agreement with Luling Volunteer Fire Department - Central Fire Station
Authorization for Parish President to execute a polling place lease agreement with Luling Volunteer Fire Department for use of Luling Central Fire Station at 1603 Paul Mallard Road as a polling place for District 1, Precinct 5 at an annual lease rate of $150 for a three-year term with automatic one-year renewal.
Approved2025-0375$150.00
Polling Place Lease Agreement with Norco Volunteer Fire Department
Authorization for Parish President to execute a polling place lease agreement with Norco Volunteer Fire Department for use of Zephyr and El Paraloo Fire House at 17830 River Road as a polling place for District 6, Precinct 1 at an annual lease rate of $150 for a three-year term with automatic one-year renewal.
Approved2025-0376$150.00
Polling Place Lease Agreement with United Steelworkers Local 750
Authorization for Parish President to execute a polling place lease agreement with United Steelworkers Local 750 for use of 601 Good Hope Street in Norco as a polling place for District 6, Precinct 4 at an annual lease rate of $150 for a three-year term with automatic one-year renewal.
Approved2025-0359
Amendment to St. Charles Parish Code Chapter 2 - Public Records Request Fees
Amendment to Chapter 2, Administration Article 1 of the St. Charles Parish Code to establish fees for copies of public records: $0.25 per page for standard copies, with provisions for redaction and special circumstances. One resident (Joseph Coco) spoke in opposition, citing Louisiana Attorney General opinion and constitutional concerns about financial barriers to public records access.
Approved2025-0378
Entity-State Agreement for LA-52 Phase II Highway Improvements
Authorization to execute an entity-state agreement between Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) and St. Charles Parish for LA-52 Phase II improvements extending from Blueberry Hill south to Highway 90. Project is currently under design phase and funded through federal aid.
Approved2025-0390
Resolution Opting Out of State-Level Regulation of Solar Farms
Resolution to retain local control over solar farm siting and regulations by opting out of state-level permitting requirements under Act 279 of the 2025 Louisiana legislative session. Parish retains authority under its 2023 adopted solar ordinance (23-3-1) and plans to potentially strengthen local provisions, particularly regarding decommissioning requirements.
Approved2025-0389
Waiver from Subdivision Regulations - Lot Size Requirements
Resolution endorsing a waiver from Appendix C subdivision regulations (Section 3 geometric standards) to allow lot 40A to be created with less than the required 60-foot frontage due to a two-foot spike strip intrusion. The subdivision involves reorganization of four lots into four lots. Planning department and Planning and Zoning Commission approved.