An ordinance that would create a new economic development district in the city was approved Tuesday by the Jennings City Council.

Creation of the city of Jennings Economic Development District No. 1 will allow the city to levy a new one-cent sales tax within the district’s boundaries to help offset a sewer lift relocation project to accommodate construction of Hebert’s Boudin and Cracklins.

“We have worked very closely with Linwood Hebert to recreate the lift station and water lines to accommodate his new business,” Mayor Henry Guinn said. “He was very understanding of the cost associated with those projects and he allowed us to place one additional penny sales tax on his specific parcel of land.”

The district includes 1.7 acres at the corner of La. 26 and Interstate Drive between Walgreens and Shoney’s restaurant. The site, which has been vacant for several years, will be the future home of Hebert’s Boudin and Cracklins.

The ordinance will allow the city to collect an extra one-cent sales tax from sales at Hebert’s Boudin and Cracklins to recoup costs of relocating the sewer lift station which is estimated at $360,000. The lift station, which is located in the center of the property, needs to be relocated for construction, Guinn said.

Revenues generated from the extra sales tax will be dedicated revenue and placed in the city’s utility fund to cover the cost of relocating the lift station, Guinn said. It is expected to take six years for Hebert’s Boudin and Cracklins’ to reimburse the city for the project.

The additional sales tax will not affect any other businesses and will have a minimum impact on local residents who purchase items from Hebert’s Boudin and Cracklins, Guinn said.

The city is looking at other parcels of land where similar economic development districts may be established in the future, he said.

“Pending the result of this, we have identified other parcels in recent land transactions that will also need financial assistance to put in utilities, to build a road or to put water lines for economic development,” he said.

Construction on Hebert’s Boudin and Cracklins is pending relocation of the lift station.

“We have to move the lift station to accommodate his plan, so until the pumps and all the electrical equipment come in for our sewer lift station they will not be able to open,” Guinn said.

Council President Stevie VanHook said Hebert has already put a tremendous amount of money into the project, which is expected to be completed by January or February 2024.

The city can vote to remove the district and the additional sales tax after six years or they can keep the district in place.