By Richard Meek
Contributing Writer

LAPLACE – There appears to be a consensus among parish officials that updates are needed to the St. John Parish Animal Shelter, but a timetable for future development remains unclear.
During the Parish Council meeting Tuesday night Councilman Larry Snyder said the parish needs to find ways to finance an expanded shelter.
“We need to do something,” he said. “We only have 13 stalls for animals.
“We can leave here tonight and say it’s just dogs (and not do anything). We can build a cement building.  That’s nothing. Let’s see if we can get (with the administration) and see if can build Phase 2 of the shelter.”
Parish President Natalie said Phase 1 was completed at a cost of more than $800,000, and designs for Phases 2 and 3 are even costlier.
“(The costs for the next two phases) are substantially higher than what I think you guys are looking to spend, so we’ll go back and take a look at that,” Robottom said. “If there’s a revision in what was designed then clearly we can take a look at that as well.”
She said the existing shelter was built with funds from the Public Works Department and that department continues to fund the operation, although some shelter-related revenue is being generated.
“We’ll pull our existing plans and you guys can take a look at it and see if what’s what you had in mind or if you have something else,” Robottom said.
In other council news, the parish is entering into an agreement with the South Central Planning and Development Commission regarding merging voting precincts. The precincts have not been merged since redistricting and some of the smaller ones are not cost effective.
“This is a cost-cutting measure,” Councilman Lucien Gauff III said. “It will help alleviate some of the costs when we have voting precincts.”
Kevin Belanger of South Central Planning said the parish is required to pick up the tab in precincts with fewer than 300 voters, but the state will cover much of the cost in precincts with more than 300 voters. He said 10 precincts definitely require merging with another four to five more.
Belanger said he would meet with each council member whose district will be affected to solicit input.
Also, Councilman Art Smith returned after being absent from several meetings because of health issues.