The Gonzales council adopted the 2026 property millage resolution, renewed its planning services contract, and approved contract awards and change orders including a $1.466M low-bid award for the Lake Connector Road project.

The city approved an intergovernmental agreement under which Ascension Parish will relocate a segment of the Roddy Road waterline (parish to pay relocation costs estimated around $600,000 including engineering) and the city will receive a credit against sewer and water accounts tied to the new animal shelter's infrastructure costs.

The council introduced an ordinance to create the Veterans Boulevard Economic Development District; attorney Adam Parker said the plan uses only incremental revenues from an existing 1% sales tax, could attract about $47 million in private investment and create roughly 130 jobs, and will come back for a final vote Oct. 12.

Council authorized submission of a Capital Region Planning Commission carbon-reduction grant application to upgrade and time three traffic signals on Highway 44 (estimated project cost $1,350,000 with a 20% local match) and to add accessible pedestrian crossings if funded.

Hyundai Posco Louisiana Steel’s local external-affairs specialist introduced herself to the council, invited residents to an Aug. 27 open house and urged participation in a Sept. 1 public permit hearing related to air and water permits for the Ascension Parish steel facility.

City engineer updated the council on utility projects funded by an EPA sewer grant, beginning with Lift Station 19 rehabilitation (new pumps and SCADA), followed by a $400,000+ generator upgrade at Lift Station 4; other forthcoming projects include generator work, the Our Lady Lake Connector Road and a water-model update needed for future fire-rating work.

The council authorized the mayor to sign a state agreement and funding commitment for an approximately $1.6 million DOTD-funded sidewalks project along Oris, Rowe and Worthy to connect to Gonzales Middle School with no local match required.