Parish President Joey Durel says there is another option to deconsolidation, and that is, true consolidation. Durel says it's a topic that needs to be brought up when speaking about an efficient form of government. With true consolidation, instead of having five police departments, five mayors, and five public works departments, all would be consolidated under Lafayette. Durel says it's more efficient because it could be a better use of tax payer dollars.
There are five municipalities within Lafayette Parish; Lafayette, Youngsville, Carencro, Scott and Broussard. Under true consolidation, instead of tax payer dollars being used to support the governments within the municipalities, all of the money would go to Lafayette. This is because all of the municipalities would be combined into Lafayette. Tax payer dollars could then be used to fund other things like road projects, ect.. If selected as the people's choice of government it would make Lafayette bigger.
What about the people who live in Youngsville, Carencro, Scott and Broussard? Is this what they want, and are they ready for it? Carencro resident Daniel Landry says no, "If they would get rid of all of this and just put it in one scenario, I don't think it would be as good as it is now." Landry is not alone in his way of thinking. Other Residents say in order to make a decision they need to know more. "I'm not too sure if it would be a great thing. I think each individual town needs to govern themselves, having too many eggs in one basket might not be the way to go," said Lafayette Resident Scott Perrin.
Durel says he doesn't see Lafayette undergoing consolidation anytime soon. He says it's not going to happen unless the people demand it. Durel says the topic of true consolidation will be brought up in the meetings from here on out. The weekly meetings are held every Monday at 5:30 pm. The next meeting with take place at the South Regional Library in Lafayette. The Following meeting will take place at the public library in Carencro.
Durel says the purpose of bringing up the topic of true consolidation is to make known the possibilities of what could happen.
Sarah Rosario
srosario@katctv.com



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