January 11, 2016

Mr. James Cantrelle, Parish President

Lafourche Parish
P.O. Box 5548
Thibodaux, LA 70302

Re: Appointment of Deputy Director Opinion No. 16-001

Dear Mr. Cantrelle:

You have requested guidance on the procedure for the hiring of a deputy director. As you are aware, LPHRC
Article III, Section 3 D (5) lays out the requirements for appointment of department heads and parish administrator.
Within that section, there are no references to the position of deputy director. However, LPHRC Article IV, Section
2(B) provides that one deputy department head per department is excluded from the parish’s civil service system.
Although the Charter does not provide specifically for the appointment of deputy directors, Section 2-66 of the Parish
Code of Ordinances provides for the “appointment of deputy director(s) that will serve outside the civil service system,
as provided by the Lafourche Parish Home Rule Charter and as approved by the council.” Therefore, in order to
comply with the requirements of the Parish Code of Ordinances, any appointments of deputy directors must be brought
before the Council by resolution.
Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Camille A. Morvant, II
District Attorney

cc: Parish Council Members

Parish Administrator
Parish Council Clerk