An Important Message from Mayor-President Sid Edwards

 
I’m pleased to announce we have now completed nine MOVEBR projects since my administration took office in January, bringing our total of completed projects to 45, with even more groundbreakings and completions coming this fall.

Brighter nights are also in store for our City-Parish as the “Lighting up Baton Rouge” initiative moves forward. More than 400 new LED lights have recently been installed in the Scotlandville area, along with additional upgrades in Downtown Baton Rouge. These improvements will enhance nighttime visibility for both pedestrians and motorists, offering safer, more welcoming streets, particularly as daylight savings time comes to an end in early November.

In addition to the MOVEBR program, we’re investing in safer streets, better drainage, and a stronger East Baton Rouge Parish for everyone—but we can’t do it without you.

I want to draw your attention to the Thrive EBR initiative on the November 15 ballot that will allow us to fund infrastructure improvements, including projects identified in the Stormwater Master Plan, without raising your taxes. The Stormwater Master Plan was created after the 2016 flood to address and reduce flood-related risks in the parish. On some projects, our MOVEBR program makes drainage improvements, but our needs are great and our parish remains vulnerable.

Thrive EBR aligns three proposals to address priorities without raising the tax burden on our citizens. For the first time, we’ve tied millage renewals for the East Baton Rouge Parish Library, Council on Aging, and Mosquito Abatement and Rodent Control Program together to renew and rededicate taxpayer funds and tackle our most pressing needs.

I want to personally ask that you take time to learn about this initiative and attend one of the informational meetings at a library near you. You can see the meetings schedule here. This is a pivotal moment for our parish. This redirection of funds you have already approved is needed to keep essential services running, pay down debt, and invest in the infrastructure we all rely on.

Thank you for your continued support.

In service,
Sid Edwards
Mayor-President, City of Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish