Chris Daigle, President of the Iberville community, looks back on the first six months
Master plan, expansion of recreational programs and salary scales for employees on the agenda of Mayor Chris Daigle
Iberville Parish President Chris Daigle took little time to celebrate after taking office six months ago, and the second half of 2024 could prove to be a busier year.
He has spent part of his first six months working on what he considers to be the greatest achievement of his time in office so far.
It is a project that began in the offices of the parish administration.
“The most important thing we’ve done so far is create a culture within our government where our people know we respect them and we listen to them,” he said. “For me, our people come first, and if we don’t make sure we have a great culture within our people, negativity spreads.”
Daigle said he has planned a “family day” and has formed a committee to plan the celebration for employees.
He said he was also pleased with the cooperation between him and the council, which came up in the term limits vote on Super Tuesday on Nov. 5.
During his campaign, Daigle promised to work to reinstate term limits.
“We have been working with the council and I am very proud that the council has supported this initiative,” he said. “We hope that it will be adopted and reinstated.”
“One of our promises was to be more transparent throughout the community. I believe we can do that.”
He also took the same approach to employment standards for positions in the Iberville Municipal Government. The municipality has implemented a job posting policy.
“When we first started here, we got used to what we were working with, but going forward, every available position in Iberville Parish will be advertised,” Daigle said. “This is a staff initiative.”
It represents a big change from previous recruitment processes, he said.
“In the past, when a position was vacant, it was simply filled,” Daigle said. “This person or that person was hired, and there was no rhyme or reason or transparency.”
“Now, when a position becomes available, we advertise it on our social media or in our advertisements. Now even internal employees can apply for these positions.”
The council has also hired a firm to work on job descriptions, salary schedules and reorganization for employees. Work on the plan is nearly complete and Daigle plans to present it to the council at its regular meeting on August 23.
“It’s the first time in 20 years that we have a salary structure in Iberville Parish, and this is the most recent one that our human resources department could find,” he said. “Employees are excited about it because they know we want to be fair and equitable in all areas.”
The Daigle administration has also taken steps to move the Parish President’s office back to the Iberville Parish Courthouse.
As part of this move, the Iberville Parish Office of Community Services – under the direction of Monica Edmonds – will relocate to an office in the Council on Aging building at 58105 Court St., near the courthouse.
Expansion of leisure activities
Modernizing the facilities in the Iberville Parks and Recreation District is also a high priority for Daigle.
The Plaquemine area has a variety of activities year-round, and Daigle wants to create equity in other parts of the community. For example, there are no soccer programs in the North Iberville, East Iberville or White Castle areas.
It’s time to change that, he said.
“We want to bring these communities on board and show them that they can trust IPRD and that we will support the children in these communities,” Daigle said.
Looking to the future
Daigle and the council are in the midst of a four-year master plan – the first for the municipality since 2005.
A general description of a master plan includes analyses, recommendations and proposals for community population, economy, housing, transportation, community facilities and land use.
Daigle wants to ensure that the planned Mississippi bridge between Plaquemine and St. Gabriel remains at the center of community discussions.
“The biggest challenge is staying the course and making sure we don’t lose any of the funding we’ve allocated for our bridge,” he said. “At the top of our list is making sure the state level doesn’t come in and take the over $300 million we’ve allocated for the bridge.”
1st day of LCBO workers’ strike with shops closed
Is Rhaenys dead in House of the Dragon? How she dies in the book
Latest news on the Ukraine war: Ukrainians imprisoned in Russia released after mediation by the Vatican – while five people killed in drone attack on Russian village | World news
About The Author
