LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) – Two more town hall meetings were held Thursday night, to discuss a proposal which would create separate city and parish councils in Lafayette.

Lafayette City-Parish Council Member Patrick Lewis, District 3, held his town hall at the Lafayette City-Parish auditorium.

Council member Jay Castille, District 2, held his town hall at the Carencro Community Center.  

“Again i voted no, because I wanted the community to have more time,” said Patrick Lewis.

Lewis voted ‘no’ at last week’s council meeting, on the proposed charter amendments that would create a separate city and parish council in Lafayette.
At Thursday’s meeting, he presented an alternative plan to his constituents.

“I’m planning on illustrating that the city and the parish, will be separate without amending the charter. And giving the citizens what they have a lack of, which is autonomy,” said Lewis.

His plan includes proportional voting. The council would then retain all 9 of its existing seats, and council district boundaries would only possibly change,  through the re-appointment process, based on 2020 census data.

“I understand everybody’s frustration, but if you got anything better, bring it to the table,’ said Jay Castille.

Up the road in Carencro, Castille believes the proposed charter amendments are the best option for the parish at this time.

“We’re not diluting any districts, we’re giving the city of Lafayette the autonomy just like every other city has, and they deserve,” he said.

Residents brought up issues like the status of Lafayette Utilites System, if there will be additional taxes, what the representation would be like for the entire parish, and why the City of Lafayette would not have it’s own mayor, sa the proposed plan includes keeping the Mayor-President position. 

“I don’t agree with having the same person to represent both, have y’all discussed that?” asked one District 2 resident.

“You have 1 guy making a decision, he has to make it for everybody, 2 is not good. Plus another parish president costs you about $150,000,” said Castille.

The full council will vote on the proposed charter amendments on August 7.