Since taking office in January of 2004, his administration has been busy making good on a campaign promise to "change the culture of government” by improving the efficiency of local government through improving technology, streamlining jobs, practicing accountability, and reducing attorney billable hours, which yielded hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings. Durel was also instrumental in spearheading a Fiber to the Premises Initiative, which was approved by the voters of Lafayette by a 62 to 38% margin, authorizing the Lafayette Utilities System to move the project forward. That victory was one of the first of several national accolades, and helped put Lafayette on the map in what has been called a "victory for America.” Over the past several years, Durel has been honored as the Community Broadband Hero of the Year for his efforts to bring superior communications technology through the Fiber-to-the-Home network being constructed by LUS Fiber to city residents. In 2010, he was recognized for his leadership of Lafayette, as well as his success in bringing a business mindset to operating Lafayette Consolidated Government, when The Independent Weekly named him CEO of the Year.

The government of Lafayette is a modified form of consolidated government. In 1992, Lafayette voters approved a home rule charter, which created the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government. On June 3, 1996, the new consolidated form of government went into effect. That entity, now known as the Lafayette City-Parish Government, is charged with the efficient and effective running of our parish. An elected City-Parish President and nine elected council members run the government. The vision of the government is to make Lafayette a "community of choice.”

For more information about the government call 337-291-8300 or visit www.lafayettela.gov.

Lafayette City-Parish Council

District 1 – Kevin Naquin

District 2 – Jay Castille

District 3 – Brandon Shelvin

District 4 – Kenneth P. Boudreaux

District 5 – Jared Bellard

District 6 – TBD

District 7 – Donald L. Bertrand

District 8 – Keith Patin

District 9 – William Theriot