The St. Charles Parish Council approved a series of change orders on drainage and utility work tied to the Ormond Center and the Ormond CN Railroad Coverage Project during its August 10 meeting, along with a change order for the Destrehan Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The council approved Change Order No. 1 for the Ormond Center Drainage Improvements Project in the amount of $271,095. A Hahnville resident asked whether a utility conflict tied to the project was known in advance and criticized the size of some of the line-item cost increases. Parish officials said the Ormond Center Drainage Improvements project is expected to be substantially complete by the end of the year, though further Entergy-related work may still require another change order.

The council also approved Change Order No. 1 for the Ormond CN Railroad Coverage Project in the amount of $1,005,921. A Hahnville resident criticized the size of that change order and suggested the parish improve its oversight of contractor spending approvals. Residents near the project should expect around-the-clock boring operations beginning the fourth week of August. Parish officials said neighbors will be notified before the work begins, and a council member suggested the Public Information Office issue an advance alert. The project is estimated for completion around late November or early December 2026.

A third change order, for the Destrehan Wastewater Treatment Plant Aeration Basin Rehabilitation, passed in the amount of $71,532. Officials said a blower automation system installed as part of the project did not meet specifications and is being reprogrammed by the vendor, meaning additional change orders on that project remain possible.

The council approved a Construction Manager at Risk, or CMAR, contract with Woodward Design and Build for the new Hahnville Branch Library in the amount of $9,040,972. Under a CMAR contract, the builder is brought on early to manage costs and scheduling rather than through a traditional competitive bid process. A Hahnville resident questioned whether bypassing the traditional bid process gave taxpayers the best price and separately suggested the library be renamed.

The council approved a contract with Pintail Contracting Services for renovations at Ama Park in the amount of $1,208,100. A resident asked whether Ama residents were consulted on the renovation plans and raised questions about how the project's cost compared to similar projects elsewhere.

The council adopted its annual property tax ordinance, known as the ad valorem tax ordinance, keeping the tax rate unchanged even though parish property assessments fell by about three percent this year. A Hahnville resident tied the assessment decrease to a business leaving the parish and urged the council to control spending and reduce taxes.

The council approved a services agreement with ARCO Company Services for wastewater generator maintenance in the amount of $99,735. A Hahnville resident asked why in-house parish staff could not perform the maintenance instead and criticized what the resident described as gaps in the description of the maintenance plan.

The council approved a declaration of surplus movable property for public auction. A Hahnville resident asked where auction proceeds are allocated and whether the parish tracks totals from the sale of leased vehicles.

The council also amended the appointment authority for the Civil Service Board and filled three of four open seats on the St. Charles Parish Communications District, appointing representatives from the Parish Council, the Parish President's Office and EMS. Two appointments were deferred and remain open: the District VI seat on the St. Charles Parish Library Board of Control, deferred again at Mr. Fisher's request, and the Firemen's Association representative to the Communications District. Both are pending required nominations.

The council opened the meeting with recognitions for the St. Charles Parish 12U All-Star Basketball Team and the St. Charles Parish 8U All-Star Softball Team, both of whom had coaches thank parents, assistant coaches and the recreation department for their support. The council also honored the memory of longtime parish employee Adrian Leon Petitin and recognized Robin Robichaux for her service on the St. Charles Parish Library Board of Control.

A public hearing on several other ordinances, including agreements tied to the Residential Mitigation Program, the Kinler and Paul Fredrick Roadway and Drainage Improvements, and zoning changes affecting the C-2 and C-3 districts and the Sunset Drainage District flood maps, is scheduled for Monday, August 24, 2026, at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Courthouse in Hahnville.