Parish Council approves sewer rate increase, land purchase near jail
By John Summers | April 15, 2026
PORT ALLEN — The West Baton Rouge Parish Council approved two previously introduced ordinances at its April 9 meeting, making official a 15 percent sewer rate increase and a land purchase near the parish jail funded through the Jail Fund budget.
The council also heard updates on a delayed road project in Erwinville and a planned bridge replacement that has raised concerns about emergency response in the parish.
Sewer rates approved for first time since 2008
The council voted to approve the sewer rate ordinance, which takes effect upon Parish President Jason Manola's signature. The increase — the first since 2008 — raises the residential base rate from $10.00 to $11.50 per month and the volumetric rate from $2.25 to $2.59 per 1,000 gallons, with a 15,000-gallon cap for residential customers. The average residential customer using 6,000 gallons per month will see their bill increase from $23.50 to $27.04 — a difference of $3.54 per month.
The increase affects only the approximately 1,700 residential customers billed directly by West Baton Rouge Parish for sewer service. Customers served by Port Allen, Brusly, Addis, or the MODAD system are not affected.
Parish Finance Director Chance Stephens told the council the rate was driven by a state-mandated study that originally recommended a 95 percent increase. The parish challenged the findings twice, ultimately reaching agreement on 15 percent with the state allowing sales tax revenues to cover a required asset reserve fund. The ordinance also authorizes annual Consumer Price Index adjustments with council approval.
No members of the public spoke at the hearing.
For full background on the rate study and what the increase means for your bill, see WBR Independent's April 6 report at wbrindependent.com.
Parish buys land near jail below appraised value
The council also approved a budget amendment adding $241,831 to the Jail Fund for the purchase of a 2.509-acre tract on Northwest Drive near Louisiana Highway 1 from New Orleans Bail Bonds, LLC. The purchase price was $240,000. Stephens told the council the land appraised at $325,000 — meaning the parish paid $85,000 below the appraised value. The remaining $1,831 covers settlement fees.
The property — Tract C-3 of West Bank Commercial Park — sits adjacent to land already owned by the WBR Law Enforcement District. Potential future uses are still under consideration by the parish and the West Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office.
For background on the original introduction of this item, see WBR Independent's April 9 report at wbrindependent.com.
Erwinville fire station moving forward
Manola told the council the building pad at the new Erwinville fire station is complete and passed compaction testing. Test piles are being driven and the foundation layout is underway. The parish plans to hold weekly on-site progress meetings going forward.
LA 76 bridge replacement delayed amid emergency response concerns
The start of work on the LA 76 bridge replacement over Bayou Chalpin near Rosedale has been delayed after the parish met with Archie Chaisson, director of roads and bridges for the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. State representatives and the parish senator were also present.
Manola said the parish raised concerns about the detour impact — particularly when Interstate 10 closures push additional traffic onto local roads — and about emergency service access for school buses, garbage trucks, ambulances, and fire apparatus. The detour route for the closure runs through Livonia and Maringouin, significantly extending travel distances for the area. DOTD is reviewing local traffic detour options and will report back to the parish with a plan.
The closure was originally scheduled to begin April 6 but was postponed before work started. No new start date has been announced.
The council's next regular meeting is Thursday, April 23, at 5:30 p.m. at the WBR Governmental Building, 880 N. Alexander Ave., Port Allen.
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