New Iberia City Council Meeting June 16, 2026

The City of New Iberia held a City Council meeting on June 16, 2026, with significant focus on economic development and infrastructure projects. A key agenda item was the creation of the Lagniappe Economic Development District, which includes a proposed 1% sales tax to fund infrastructure improvements such as parking lot upgrades at the Line Avenue Village shopping center. Council members discussed the benefits of such incentives for attracting new businesses, creating jobs, and improving the city's competitiveness with neighboring communities. The council emphasized that the tax would be temporary, tied to a cooperative endeavor agreement with the developer, and would sunset after the improvements are paid for. Additionally, the council awarded a contract to Menville Lumber Company for phase four of the Bayou Teche Museum Doc Voorhies wing project at a bid of $228,000, under budget and expected to complete by the end of 2026. The meeting also included approval of federal grant-funded neighborhood improvement projects, such as the "One Block at a Time" exterior home renovation initiative, and budget amendments totaling nearly $3.8 million for various drainage and infrastructure projects. The council discussed ongoing efforts to leverage sales tax revenues and grants to fund these capital improvements. No votes were taken on the economic development district tax during this meeting, but the ordinance to create the district was passed, with further action required to levy the tax. Other procurement-related actions included deferring a disaster recovery services contract and approving professional audit services for the fiscal year ending October 2026.