St. Charles Parish Council Meeting for November 9, 2026

At the November 9, 2026 St. Charles Parish Council meeting, members unanimously approved several infrastructure and funding actions. They authorized a federally funded agreement with the U.S. EPA and LSU New Orleans Research and Technology Foundation for plans and specifications for the Marino Lift Station replacement; approved $1,395,926 in state flood-mitigation funding, comprising $675,000 for Norco drainage project scoping and $720,000 to elevate four structures; and approved a $50,000 cybersecurity grant. The council also committed the local share—expected to be just under $1 million—for phase two of the Destrehan bulkhead project, which has approximately $3 million in grant funding. Separately, it unanimously declared movable property surplus for disposition by public internet auction. The wastewater department reported completed lift-station rehabilitation work and discussed upcoming bids and procurements, including a planned RFP for Marino and Norco lift-station upgrades, a Hahnville treatment-plant bid expected next year, and a possible F Flip pump-station bid by year-end.

The council unanimously postponed indefinitely an ordinance that would raise the minimum general-fund balance from $7 million to $10 million, following concerns that the proposal’s calculation and effects on future budgets required further review. The proposal included setting aside $250,000 in the 2027 budget and another $250,000 through a later budget amendment; members called for additional discussion, including consideration of inflation and emergency needs. In other policy discussion, residents raised noise and odor concerns related to Bunge’s expansion, and council members discussed reviewing the parish noise ordinance, but no formal action was taken.