INDReporter

Robideaux budget: utility rate hikes, University Ave makeover

Mayor Joel Robideaux submitted a proposed 2016-17 budget to the City-Parish Council Tuesday that includes a 9 percent hike in rates over three years paid by Lafayette Utilities System customers as well as increased property taxes.

The $620 million budget is the certified public accountant/mayor’s first budget. It will take effect Nov. 1. In the meantime, the council will hold a series of public meetings between now and Sept. 8 during which they can amend Robideaux’s budget.

Robideaux’s proposed budget also included a $1 million cut to the Parks & Recreation Department, offers no cost-of-living adjustments to employees of Lafayette Consolidated Government (save for firefighters, who receive a state-mandated COLA) and budgets nearly $5 million to add landscaping and sidewalks along University Avenue from I-10 to Four Corners.

For details on the budget, check out Claire Taylor’s report for The Daily Advertiser or Richard Burgess’ account in The Acadiana Advocate.