The Louisiana Legislature convened on April 29, 2025, to discuss critical funding requests for the Water Sector Commission, focusing on two significant projects: the Southeast Water Works District Number 2 and Saint Bernard Parish.

The meeting began with a request from the Southeast Water Works District Number 2, which sought an additional $715,000 to award a contract for a water treatment plant. The contract bids were reviewed, revealing two submissions: one at $4.45 million and another at $5.49 million. After confirming that a rate study had been implemented, the committee moved to approve the funding request without objection.

Next, the committee turned its attention to Saint Bernard Parish, which requested $2,490,467 in additional funding. This request aimed to cover costs associated with a high service pump and the demolition of a water tank. The original grant amount of approximately $2 million would increase to nearly $5 million, marking an 84% increase. The parish's capital project supervisor, Donald Bourgeois, and engineering consultant, Rob Delon, presented the request, explaining that the project had been phased to maintain operations at the active water plant.

Bourgeois detailed that the initial phase had already commenced but came in over budget by $1.7 million. The committee expressed concerns regarding the substantial increase in costs, particularly due to the need for selective demolition to minimize vibrations affecting nearby structures and underground piping. The committee emphasized the importance of conducting value engineering to explore potential cost-saving measures before approving the additional funds.

The discussion highlighted the need for careful scrutiny of funding requests, especially when they do not directly contribute to the delivery of clean drinking water. The committee urged the parish to reassess the project scope and consider alternative solutions that could reduce costs. They also suggested exploring other funding sources to support the project.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the ongoing challenges in managing water infrastructure funding in Louisiana, with a clear emphasis on ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently while maintaining essential water services. The committee's next steps will involve further review of the Saint Bernard Parish request and potential follow-up discussions on value engineering options.