Hospital, redistricting topics at special meets tonight

The Iberville Parish Council has called a series of special meetings starting at 6 p.m. tonight (Thursday) at the Courthouse to discuss the possibility of a new hospital for Iberville Parish, parish property and the reapportionment of their 13 districts based on the 2010 Census.

A public hearing on reapportionment is set for 6 p.m., a Buildings and Grounds Committee meeting for 6:15 p.m. and a special meeting at 6 p.m., where a report from the council's hospital consultant is expected to make a final report.

The Council set aside $21.6 million of its hurricane recovery money for a new hospital facility, and hired consultant Stroudwater Associates to investigate whether the project is feasible. Stroudwater reported earlier this year that the recovery money would be insufficient and that the parish needs a private partner to build and open a new hospital here. The consultant is expected to make a final report.

Parish Council members were scheduled to meet last week in small groups with their reapportionment consultant, Redistricting LLC. They are trying to approve a districting plan that takes into account population shifts within the parish and have it approved by the U. S. Justice Department in time for their fall elections.

The meeting is scheduled in the Council Chambers, on the second floor of the Courthouse.