Discussion continues about new Maurice City Hall location

MAURICE — Maurice will eventually have a new city hall building.
Where exactly that new facility will be located remains the question.
Maurice Mayor Wayne Theriot said during Wednesday’s regular Maurice Board of Aldermen meeting that numerous sites are being explored.
“We need to find a location for the city hall,” Theriot said. “I talked to some various people and entities about it.”
Theriot said he spoke to a property owner on La. Hwy. 92.
“They were not interested in selling us just two acres,” Theriot said. “That is what we determined we would need for city hall.”
Theriot also said he spoke to someone about property along U.S. Hwy. 167.
“They were not interested in giving up any of that property on 167,” Theriot said. “That is prime location.”
Government entities can only pay appraised value when purchasing property.
“That property owner does have some land next to the park,” Theriot said. “They would be willing to talk about that. They also have another property on 92.”
Theriot asked Engineer Todd Vincent to look into the possibility of building in one of the new developments, including Prairie Cove and Picard Farms.
“Picard Farms initially presented the idea to us many years ago,” Theriot said. “The plan would have had us in the middle of the development.
“We were hesitant because we didn’t want to have court in the middle of a subdivision.”
Mayor’s court takes place each month at Maurice City Hall. Theriot said an option of building in the front of a development could work.
“We need to look into all options,” Theriot said.
That includes leasing. Theriot asked Village Attorney Ricky LaFleur to look into the legality of the village leasing property.
“I have been in contact with one entity that mentioned the possibility of a lease,” Theriot said. “I had a conversation with another person today. He also mentioned about whether we could go into a lease purchase. I know there are certain stipulations on a public entity leasing.”
Theriot first brought up the idea of a new city hall building during Maurice’s meeting last December. He said it is something that is much needed due to the village’s growth. Some adjustments and improvements to give staff more space were made to city hall during repairs after the 2016 flood. However, the demand for more space remains. Past plans included connecting the city hall building to the Maurice Police Department building, creating a lager complex. Theriot said that plan would create some issues, including blocking access to the water plant.
“I think the most appropriate thing is for us to look at a different location for city hall,” Theriot said in that meeting.
As for funding the project, the village received a $250,000 allocation from the state late last year. Theriot said Rep. Jonathan Goudeau said there could be $800,000 in capital outlay funding from the state. Theriot said the village can also use money from of its own capital outlay sales tax fund. The village would have to match the state’s capital outlay contribution, which is a 75-25 match.
“Rep. Goudeau said they are putting in the $800,000 that we requested,” Theriot said. “He has spoken to the speaker of the house. They are very favorable about putting it in there. Hopefully it does not get vetoed. If that comes through, we should have right about $1 million.”
While those details will be worked out in the future, Theriot said a location for the city hall is the present focus.
“I ask that if you see or know of any locations,” Theriot said to members of the Board of Aldermen, “or if you have any ideas, please let me know.”