Patterson moves to secure grant for water plant

PATTERSON — City leaders are crossing their fingers that a revised application, coupled with a resolution they passed Tuesday, will seal the deal on added improvements to its water plant.
The Council unanimously passed the resolution for submission to the state for the purpose of placing the water system on the approval list of funding through the state Water Sector Program, the purpose of which is to provide grants for repairs and improvements to community water and sewer systems.
Initially, the program was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and later supplemented with state funds. It is open to entities that own and operate water and/or sewer systems in parishes across the state, according to the statute creating the state fund.
Mayor Rodney Grogan said money is there waiting for Patterson, thanks to the efforts of former state Sen. Bret Allain, R-Adeline, State Rep. Sam Jones, D-Franklin, who tagged-teamed efforts for the money before they left office, and State Rep. Vinny St. Blanc, R-Franklin.
City Councilman Lee Condolle said he made the motion on the resolution “hoping it will seal the deal” on the application process which actually began three years ago.
Grogan said shifts in state personnel and an unfamiliarity with Patterson’s request, along with having to make modifications of their own to the application, caused the city to miss out.
The city of Patterson operates its own water treatment and distribution system.
In 2018, Patterson constructed a new water plant since the existing plant was having difficulty meeting state Department of Health and Hospitals regulations. Louisiana DHH stated that the system needed an additional clarifier.
In the application submitted to the state, the proposed improvements will involve adding a new clarifier to have a parallel to the one it presently has, and a back-up system.
In December 2022, a Daily Review article reported that Patterson had applied for $4 million from the Louisiana Water Sector Program, funded by the federal ARPA, for water plant improvements but missed receiving the grant by seven points. At that time, Grogan expressed frustration with the competitive nature of the state’s point system, which favored systems that consolidated with others, an option not available to Patterson.
“New personnel, new rules, and new federal changes were all challenges we had to deal with,” Grogan said.
The resolution passed Tuesday is also asking that the state waive the 25% matching funds in order to save city costs. “The money is already guaranteed for these plans,” the mayor insisted.
In another matter, the mayor announced the city will begin changing out all water meters on the city’s south side, thanks to a $600,000 grant.
The city heard a report from Wards 5 and 8 Joint Sewage Commission Chairman Michael Stewart.
The commission is an intergovernmental entity, which was created 41 years ago by the St. Mary Parish Council, the city of Patterson and the town of Berwick.
Its mission is to provide sewer services and to operate a regional sewage treatment facility which collects sewage from Calumet to Berwick.
Stewart reported that the commission will end its 2025 fiscal year with a $600,000 deficit.
Surprised, Grogan questioned what happened to a proposed $500,000 allocation from the parish. “I thought President Sam Jones found this money for the commission,” the mayor said.
Stewart answered, “I’m not sure. I believe Councilman David Hill blocked it somehow.”
Many of the Patterson councilmen asked why Hill blocked the money, since the commission operates within his district.
Grogan expressed frustration. “See, this is what I don’t understand. The commission imposes a rate fee on the backs of its consumers in the municipalities, but yet when the parish has to face financing, they back down.”
Additionally, the mayor noted that funds from the rate increase will flow to the commission at a slow but steady pace, which still isn’t enough to grapple with such a large deficit.
“You guys should see at least $30,000 a month from Patterson and Berwick, maybe another $30,000 from the parish. Still, that’s only $90,000 a month. How is that going to help?” Grogan asked.
Stewart replied, “We’re going to have to trim expenses as tight as we can.”
“Well don’t give up,” the mayor replied.
Contacted after the meeting, Hill verified that the council removed the funding from the 2026 budget, understanding that if the dollars were needed, he could make a supplemental recommendation later during the year.
“I could not understand how the parish is strapped for funds, but yet the parish president was able to find $500,000,” Hill said.
“I needed around $15,000 for my recreation district and the Town of Baldwin needed $5,000 for its police department. I didn’t think this allocation was a need at the moment.
“Secondly, if we, the parish, is going to allocate $500,000, then the city of Patterson and the town of Berwick should so as well. Our consumers are also paying for the rate increase, so we’re all facing the challenges,” Hill said.
“I’m not against allocating the money. But perhaps there is also grant money out there that the commission can apply for,” he said.
In September, the commission sent letters to the parish municipalities announcing a rate hike for the entity beginning Oct. 1, stating they needed the money or else they would go broke.
The rate increase is an additional $1.50 per 1,000 gallons of waste water sewage the commission receives from consumers who live from Calumet to Berwick.

This story has been edited to correct the amount the Baldwin Police Department sought from the Parish Council.