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VIDALIA, La. — The Police Jury has an address to the Concordia Parish Sewer District on its agenda for tonight’s meeting after voting a few months ago to stop a rate increase imposed by the sewer board.

The Concordia Parish Sewerage District No. 1 in December raised rates for customers from $40 to $50. These rates are different from commercial businesses, which vary based on their size, said Kristie Sherbia, the district branch manager.

However, the Concordia Parish Police Jury voted in October to send a letter to the sewer board asking for a halt on the increase, questioning its legality. However, the sewer board did not need the police jury’s approval for the rate increase to move forward.

“I think they’re breaking the law,” said police jury member Cornel Lewis during the October 2024 board meeting. “It’s absurd.”

Lewis was formerly on the sewer board before he was elected to the police jury and now serves as the Police Jury President.

In other matters on tonight’s agenda, the police jury will hear presentations from Latosha Ward and Larry Edwards.

They will also discuss the approval of an ordinance that will implement the levying of a 0.25% sales tax that was approved during the Dec. 7, 2024, election.

The police jury will also discuss the approval of an engagement letter to have Silas Simmons conduct the police jury’s 2024 audit.

Sealed bids will be opened for parish ditch cleaning and for parish Maintenance Unit materials.

Lastly, the board will discuss ordinance violations if there are any as well as discuss work orders and the approval of the superintendent’s material and work requests.