Town of Brusly Regular Meeting | July 13, 2026

The Brusly Town Council approved a new full-time police officer last Monday night, filling a vacancy left when an officer resigned in early June.

Chief Jonathan Lefeaux introduced the candidate, who comes from the West Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office with five years of law enforcement experience. Lefeaux said the new hire had a clean background check, clean drug screen, and specialized training in defense tactics and active shooter response. He has been working with the department since mid-June.

The council approved the hire of Juan Palma unanimously at $22.51 per hour, effective June 17.

Street overlay project closed out

The council approved a final retainage payment of $20,772.99 to R.J. Daigle & Sons for the town's street overlay project. Town engineer Toby Fruge reviewed and signed off on the work before the payment was brought to the council.

A councilmember confirmed the contractor completed the remaining punch list items, including striping and driveway crack repairs.

Rezoning on West Main formally introduced

The council introduced Ordinance 6 of 2026, which would rezone the property at 102 N. LaBauve Ave. from C-1 (commercial) to R-4 (multi-family residential). The property sits at the corner of North LaBauve Avenue and West Main Street.

The applicant plans to remove existing trailers from the lot and build residential housing. Council members noted the change would be more restrictive than the current commercial zoning and more consistent with the surrounding residential neighborhood.

The town will publish the required introduction notice in The Advocate. The Brusly Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a hearing at the end of August, with a council vote expected September 14.

Town buys employment practices and cyber insurance

The council approved two new insurance policies the town previously did not carry. The policies were added to the agenda during the meeting under governmental affairs.

An employment practices liability policy was approved at $7,299.24 annually through Indian Harbor Insurance Company. A cyber liability policy was approved at $2,562.61 annually through Underwriters at Lloyd's of London. Both policies were brokered through Gallagher Insurance.

Employment practices liability insurance covers claims related to wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, and other workplace disputes. Cyber liability insurance covers data breaches and ransomware incidents.

Surplus police equipment headed to Port Allen

The council approved Resolution 4 of 2026 to surplus a list of aging police equipment. As discussed at the July 6 committee meeting, the surplus items include a 2017 Ford Explorer, Motorola radios nearing end of life, old radar units, printers, and a retired citation system. The department has recommended donating the items to the Port Allen Police Department.

Audit engagement approved

The council approved an engagement letter with Baxley & Associates for the town's annual audit at a cost not to exceed $13,000. The town is also required to complete agreed-upon procedures this year, adding $8,000 to the total. Rhodes said the rates are unchanged from last year.

The council entered executive session to discuss pending litigation.

In other business

Public Works: The department report for June matched the July 6 committee meeting report, covering six rain events, smoke testing results, the completed Anita Street/Venzule drainage project, and Waste Pro pickup.

The next Brusly Town Council committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 3, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at Brusly Town Hall.