The Iberia Parish executive committee on Dec. 10 considered a resolution to create an ad hoc committee to study whether forming an airport district would be in the parish's interest. James Trahan introduced the resolution and said the airport is among the parish's largest assets and requires careful review.
Trahan said the intent was to include elected officials and public members to thoroughly examine potential impacts. "This is one of our biggest...asset I think we have," he said.
Several council members — including Marcus Broussard and Brock Pellerin — opposed creating another committee, arguing the existing airport authority and appointed commission already perform oversight and due diligence. Marcus Broussard said the process risked duplicating work and "could go on in perpetuity" if a new ad hoc had no clear timeline. The vice president (speaker 11) and others argued the council should not cede major decisions without fuller review and urged forming a committee to gather more information.
Mosangi, who identified himself as executive director of the Bear Parish Airport Authority, spoke during public comment and said he supported a factual review while reserving the right to recommend against the change if the data so indicated: "If there's...data that says it's not a good idea, I'll be the first person to recommend that we pull the plug."
After extended debate over scope, timeline and governance, the motion to form the ad hoc airport district committee failed. Councilmembers indicated the broader topic will return to the full council agenda next week for further discussion and that the airport authority and other stakeholders will present information then.