West Baton Rouge Parish · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in West Baton Rouge Parish public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
2026 Fire Department and General Fund Budget Amendments
The council introduced an ordinance amending the 2026 Fire Department and General Fund budgets. It comes back for a public hearing and vote on June 11, 2026.
School zone turn lane project
A resident again pressed for the long-delayed left-turn lane on the east side of the high school, where cane trucks back up traffic. The project has been stuck in DOTD funding limbo for 2.5 years, though a possible state funding pot may bypass the usual process.
2027 Employee Health Insurance Rates
The parish's switch to self-funded health insurance is paying off — only a 3% increase planned for 2027 while other governments like Baton Rouge are facing 20-30% hikes. The parish is building reserves to avoid big future spikes.
Flood insurance discounts maintained through CRS program
The annual Community Rating System report shows the parish keeps earning flood-insurance discounts for unincorporated residents through drainage work and repetitive-loss projects.
Regional Sewer Consolidation Project
The parish is exploring restricting general fund money to build a required reserve so sewer customers don't see a rate increase from the consolidated treatment plant project.
Arena Well No. 2 project wraps up cheaper
The parish's new water well at the arena is nearly done and came in about $99,360 under the original contract, partly because the well was drilled successfully on the first try. Total contract now about $2.9 million.
LA 1 / Intercoastal construction delays
A resident warned that evening traffic on LA 1 South near the Intracoastal has become dangerous because flaggers aren't timing with the Walmart light. Councilman Hotard said he contacted the sheriff and DOTD, who will issue recommendations on best practices for directing traffic.
2027 Parish Budget — Day 1 Review
The parish is putting together its 2027 budget with a 5% cost-of-living salary bump, 3% insurance increases, and most operating expenses growing under the ~3.7% inflation rate. General fund spending goes from about $13 million to $13.4 million.
2027 Parish Budget — Recreation and Community Centers
Recreage is going from 4 to 4.5 mills (approved by the council), bringing in $3.4 million, and $1.19 million in capital projects is planned — mostly new playground structures at aging parks like Rome, plus backstops, batting cages, and a walk track extension.
2027 Parish Budget — Trust Funds and Capital Outlay
The Video Poker Trust, Lighting District Trust, and buildings-and-land capital plans were on the Day 2 agenda. These dedicated funds pay for lighting districts and parish facilities.
Drainage Fund and Flood Control Project
After 8+ inches of rain fell in about a day, parish drainage held up with no reported house flooding. Work on the Loup Lane culvert and a promising drainage study continue.
Roads Program and 415 Connector Cost Relief
The parish may take in Phillips Lane as a parish road as part of the 415 connector corridor, and test pile driving starts before year's end — talk of a ribbon cutting has begun.
2026 Asphalt Roads Rehabilitation Project
The concrete road rehab program is wrapping up with one extra panel replacement on Commercial Drive and a small cost increase of $8,020.
Adding four dispatchers at Central Communications
Central Communications is budgeted to add four dispatcher positions to reduce constant overtime at the 24/7 dispatch center. The fund is collecting its full three mills — with a ballot amendment underway that would do away with that millage, which officials flagged for residents to research.
Community Coffee to occupy 2070 Commercial Drive
After weeks of rumors that the old Cons warehouse would become an ICE facility, the parish president confirmed Community Coffee LLC will use it for coffee manufacturing, storage and distribution.
Proposed EMS rate increase
Fire District 1 plans to ask the council in December or January for an ~8% bump in EMS billing rates — about $125,000 in new revenue. Officials stressed parish residents won't pay it; only insurance companies and non-residents would.
Courthouse third floor renovation study
The sheriff, DA and judges want to convert the courthouse's unused third floor into secure inmate holding with a direct elevator to courtrooms, plus storage and office space. An architecture firm is developing feasibility quotes; the Criminal Court fund could help pay for it.
Jail rate negotiations with U.S. Marshals
The parish is working with a consulting firm to negotiate a ~21% higher daily housing rate with the U.S. Marshals Service — from about $52.50 to roughly $63.50 per inmate per day. The state rate, stuck at $29.39, can't be negotiated.
Library budget typo fix
The library's digital books budget was entered as $3,000 instead of $35,000 — a typo now corrected so the library can keep buying e-books and audiobooks.
EMS response saves cyclist on the levee
A Port Allen couple credited parish EMS with saving Randy Steil's life after a cycling crash on the levee — a paramedic reached him in three minutes. The story underscored the value of the parish's own ambulance service.
2026 Property Tax Millages and Rollbacks
The parish's tax base is certified at $859 million, up 2.5%, and the millage rate rises to 101.4 mils. Expect higher tax bills, though businesses pay roughly 82% of property taxes. Five of ten constitutional amendments on the November 3 ballot deal with property taxes.
Court Street sidewalk project cost overrun
A bid-quantity error on the pedestrian bridge abutments is costing taxpayers another $39,424. Council members are frustrated with repeated change orders and are pressing for better quality control before a much larger project comes up.
Garbage rate increase under Waste Pro contract
Your garbage bill goes up about $2.19 starting October 16 — from $28.61 to $30.80 a month — because the Waste Pro contract allows CPI-based increases. Officials stressed it's far less than the contract allowed and cheaper than competing 2024 bids.
Mobile home park rezoning on Rosedale Road
Tamara Harvey wants to build a new mobile home park with brand-new, owner-maintained units for affordable housing on about 9 acres on Rosedale Road. The council approved it 7-2 despite the planning commission's 6-1 recommendation to deny and master-plan concerns.
Garbage rate increase under Waste Pro contract
Your garbage bill goes up about $2.19 starting October 16 — from $28.61 to $30.80 a month — because the Waste Pro contract allows CPI-based increases. Officials stressed it's far less than the contract allowed and cheaper than competing 2024 bids.
CAP Industrial Park rezoning (13.7 acres)
CAP Industrial Park I, LLC wants about 13.7 acres rezoned from industrial transitional commercial to light industrial, with a rear setback waiver. Public hearing October 22.
Garbage ordinance amendments introduced
A new ordinance would adjust solid waste collection fees to keep up with demand. Public hearing October 8 — this one hits your monthly bill.
Derelict structure condemnation at 1234 Rev. Manuel St.
A collapsed house in Port Allen has been condemned; the absentee owner has 60 days to clear it or the parish will move forward. The parish also launched its first online adjudication property sale on the same street.
Emily Drive Turn Lane
The 98% design plans are with DOTD awaiting final approval — a project residents have been waiting on.
Fire District No. 1 State Appropriation
The parish expects $1 million for fire truck equipment plus another $500,000 from the legislative session — pending the Governor's signature.
Court Street Sidewalk Project Change Orders
Two change orders on the LA 76 multi-use path project sparked a heated debate about paying for work done before council approval. One was denied as overpriced; the other was approved because it corrected a design quantity error at contract unit prices.
TMI Enterprise rezoning on Highway 190
A 13.7-acre tract on Highway 190 in Port Allen was rezoned for a warehouse and pipe distribution operation. The applicant dropped his heavier I-2 request to I-1 after staff and the P&Z Commission flagged it as too intense for the corridor.
Harry Laws 4-H legacy honored
The parish is renaming its 4-H and Ag Center building for Harry Laws, who served as the parish's 4-H agent for 35 years and personally funded enrollment fees for local kids.
$500,000 State Appropriation for the Parish
The parish locked in $500,000 from the state treasury via a cooperative endeavor agreement, with another $1 million expected next meeting.
2025 Audits Show Parish Finances in Good Shape
All three 2025 audits came back with clean opinions. The parish finished the year with $129.5 million in net position and the utility is generating healthy operating cash.
New bridge overnight closures coming
DOTD plans to close the new Mississippi River bridge for four to five nights for sign work — parish officials pushed back on the 5 a.m. reopen time because that's when LA 1 is busiest. Roughly six months out.
Council on Aging budget and new senior center building
The Council on Aging budget includes a $3.5 million line for a new Erwinville facility shared with the library — but board chairman Joey Normand admitted it's a guess and pledged to bring back a real number. The council adopted the budget anyway with that stipulation.
CAFA first-time homebuyer bonds and PILOT concerns
The council approved the Capital Area Finance Authority's $200 million bond program for down-payment assistance — but only after bond advisors warned about hidden PILOT deals, prompting an amendment explicitly banning them.
Major economic development projects touted
President Manola announced ExxonMobil's $257.5 million Project Holly expansion and Community Coffee's $50.8 million Project Fusion — together worth roughly $34 million in tax revenue to all parish taxing bodies over 20 years.
Hotel permit enforcement against OYO properties
Problem hotels no longer go through administrative court. They get a warning letter at 25% of the call-for-service threshold, then face the council directly at 50% for possible suspension or revocation — plus higher fines for operating without a permit.
Rosedale Road bridge replacement on hold
Parish President Manola said DOTD's plan to replace the Rosedale Road bridge is on hold until emergency services routing can be planned. He and other officials meet Monday to push for solutions that minimize disruption for residents.
2026 Road Materials Bids and Upcoming Overlays
Public works reported the combined roads/drainage mowing crews are on pace for five or six cuts this year versus the usual four, the Emily Drive project hit 95% preliminary design, the Rosedale/Lobdale intersection awaits an H-number, and there's still no decision on the Rosedale Road bridge replacement.
2027 Budget Process Begins
The council locked in the calendar for next year's parish budget: departments submit by October 2, special review meetings October 26-27, and final adoption at a December 10 public hearing.
MBK Land rezoning and special use permits at 838 Hwy 190 West
A zoning map error meant this property was listed as I-1 when it should have been I-2. The council fixed the map, which lets MBK Land run a seasonal fireworks stand and wrecker/storage facility there.
New parishwide sign regulations
The parish replaced its light-touch sign ordinance with a comprehensive one closely modeled on Port Allen's, covering billboards, freestanding and building signs, prohibited sign types, maintenance, and nonconforming signs. Business owners should note new permit, size, and setback rules.
Legislative session property tax amendments
Two constitutional amendments headed to the November ballot could change senior property tax exemptions and income limits for assessment freezes — but how much the parish loses in tax revenue is still being figured out.
Minor Subdivision Regulation Overhaul
New rules let minor subdivisions be built in Agricultural and R-SF-3 zones, require private roads to come off public roads rather than branching off major subdivisions, and let old family subdivisions convert to minor subdivisions without adding lots. It grew out of a resident (Johnny Gentile) whose situation had no solution under the old code.
Pipeline Permit Requirements
A new ordinance requires permits for pipelines crossing parish roads, drainage, and levees, with depth and bonding rules. Council Member Crowe said shallow old pipelines are blocking drainage maintenance in multiple parish locations.
Proposed Fireworks Business Rezoning — Hwy 190 West
MBK Land LLC wants to rezone 4.59 acres at 838 Hwy 190 West from light industrial (I-1) to heavy industrial (I-2) for a seasonal commercial fireworks business. The public hearing is July 23 — Port Allen residents near the site can weigh in then.
Sugar Pointe subdivision first filing
The final plat for Sugar Pointe's first filing — seven lots on Rosedale plus tracts for future development — was approved with a block-length waiver.