Guillory Administration Proposes Public Works Department Reorganization

One of the first official acts of Mayor-President Josh Guillory’s administration will be to create departments dedicated solely to drainage and traffic, roads and bridges. During the race for the Mayor-President’s office, Guillory campaigned on addressing important infrastructure needs such as drainage, roads and bridges.

In the ordinance to be introduced to the City and Parish Councils on Tuesday, Jan. 7, Guillory proposes moving drainage maintenance work out of the Public Works Department. Additionally, the maintenance of traffic, roads and bridges will transfer to a separate department.

“In my opinion, the various projects being managed by Public Works are far too broad and too important for one director to oversee. I want to make sure that I have a department director who is solely focused on drainage and another who is concentrating on the movement of traffic and the conditions of the roads and bridges that our people travel on. I want to increase accountability and have a clear line of communication with the top person in charge of these important issues,” Guillory explains.

Per the cover memo to the incoming City and Parish Council Members, Guillory states, “For far too long, Lafayette’s citizens have been subject to flooding, unnecessary traffic congestion, and deteriorating road conditions. I was elected to take corrective action on these issues, and I intend to follow through on that as a top priority of my Administration.”

In the proposed reorganization, the Department of Public Works will continue to oversee issues related to capital improvements, environmental quality, facilities and vehicle maintenance, and parking and transit.

The ordinance is expected to be voted upon by the City and Parish Councils at the Jan. 21 meeting. The directors of the three departments will be appointed by Guillory.

(Press release from Josh Guillory Administration)