Bond commission OKs local requests

Money to fund the construction of a new training building for the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office and for the city of Thibodaux to replace pipes in its waterworks system were among projects in the Tri-parish area approved by the State Bond Commission at its April 16 meeting.

The sheriff’s office had two projects totaling $1 million that were approved. One replaces a building at the sheriff’s office academy in Raceland used to train cadets and for firearm certification and hunter safety courses. Sheriff Craig Webre said the new building will have more classroom space and modern interactive equipment than the old one, which was destroyed by Hurricane Gustav.

The bonds will pay for costs not covered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The other project funds new technology that sends information about court dates, jail bonds and other data to computers in patrol cars.

Thibodaux was approved for $8 million in bonds to replace iron piping in its waterworks system with plastic piping. City Public Works Director Kermit Kramer said the Thibodaux City Council passed a tax package several years ago to pay for the bonds.

The commission also agreed to refinance $19.2 million in bonds for Terrebonne Parish. Bonds worth $6.2 million will be refinanced for Consolidated Waterworks District No. 1. General Manager Barry Blackwell said the district hopes to save $453,653.

Terrebonne Parish will save $1.26 million by refinancing $13 million in bonds issued in 1998 and 2000, said Parish Finance Director Jaime Elfert.

In addition,the Bayou Cane Fire Protection District was approved for a $450,000 loan to purchase a fire truck. A spokesman for the district said the loan will be provided by a local bank.

The commission directed the Louisiana Community Development Authority to issue $20 million in Gulf Opportunity Zone bonds to develop facilities at Edison Chouest Offshore’s LA Ship shipyard at the Port of Terrebonne.