LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) – Lafayette Mayor-President Joel Robideaux is commenting on a proposal being discussed by some city council members.

The proposal would give Lafayette its own city council for the first time in years.

The plan could include a split council. One that votes on issues within the Hub City, and another that votes on Parish-wide issues.

“I think for the council, a lot of it was that the City of Lafayette just doesn’t have any autonomy as it relates to just the city, taxpayers in the city, and elected officials,” said Robideaux. 

Robideaux says this is the council’s first attempt at coming up with a solution, that starts to head in the direction of giving the city it’s own council.

The plan would replace the current 9 member city-parish council, with separate entities. 

According to our partners at The Daily Advertiser,  in order to possible be placed on the December 8 ballot, the council would have to introduce the measure at a city council meeting in July.

6 of the 9 council members would have to vote ‘yes’ to call for an election.

If the measure passes and is approved by a majority of voters parish-wide, another election would be needed in the future to choose new council members for the different councils.

Robideaux says parish residents would not notice a huge difference.

“They could just rest assured knowing that their representatives are voting in their best interests, and there’s not this real kind of quasi-consolidated government that’s making decisions,” said Robideaux. 

He says he has not met with any of the council members yet to discuss the specifics of the possible proposal, but states that he’s glad to see the council is looking into the idea that would give Lafayette a better voice for city issues.

“But conceptionally, I think it’s smart. I think it’s something worth looking into, and if we can figure out a way to make it work where it’s beneficial to the city, it works for the consolidated piece of government, then it’s a good path to go down,” he said.

This could be a long process, as council members still have to go through a possible legal process.

The Mayor-President tells News 10 that some council members could be working toward bringing this measure to the ballot b the end of this year.