Parish debates beaver control

Council discusses price tag

By William Johnson May 8, 2008

wjohnson@dailyworld.com

Parish government has hired a full-time beaver control officer but is unclear what to charge the parish's 13 special drainage taxing districts for his services.
While beavers, or more exactly the dams they build, have been a problem for decades, in the past year they have grown to become a serious concern throughout most of the parish, blamed for much of the flooding in low-lying areas.
Until now, the drainage districts have had to hire outside animal control officers to deal with the problem.
Parish President Don Menard told the council this week the parish has spent about $10,000 to equip the new control officer, primarily for a four-wheeler to allow him to get to the beavers, plus traps and other equipment.
While most of these expenses are one-time start-up fees, the parish will also have the continuing expense of the beaver control officer's salary and benefits.
As for a recommended fee for the districts, there was little agreement within the council during this week's finance committee meeting. Some argued for a fixed annual fee, some for a pay-as-you-go plan and others arguing for a sliding fee based on the relative wealth of each district.
Collectively the 13 districts, funded by property taxes and responsible for draining in their respective areas, bring in a little more than $1 million a year.
But that total is not equally divided. Some, such as the Bayou Mallet Drainage District near Opelousas, collect hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. Others, such the Coulee Crouche Drainage District in the Cankton area, collect less than $20,000.
District 11 Councilman Jay Guidry argued for a $1,500 annual fee, saying it is a fee every district can afford. "If they all get on board, the program will pay for itself," Guidry said.
District 1 Councilman Jerry Red argued for a sliding scale. "Some are financially secure, they can afford more than $1,500. Let's get it from them so we can use it on roads," Red said.
District 5 Councilman Ronald Buschel warned the parish's costs can rapidly escalate. The public works district in his ward has maintained a full-time beaver control officer for years, at a cost of about $40,000 a year.
He said it is critical a thorough job be done. A beaver population must be completely eradicated or it will quickly return.
"If you don't get that last one, you might as well have not bothered with the first one," Buschel said.
To arrive at a fair fee, District 9 Councilman Glenn Stout urged the council to invite representatives from the various districts to the council's May 21 meeting.