News Alert: Officials say sinkhole victims to get buyout offers

Texas Brine, the company responsible for the sinkhole in Assumption Parish, will provide settlement offers to residents that have been forced to evacuate, Gov. Bobby Jindal announced today along with local officials and legislators. “Texas Brine is responsible for the sinkhole, and we’ve remained committed to holding them accountable,” Jindal says in a prepared statement. “After months of discussions, and after meeting with Texas Brine officials this afternoon, the company has agreed to start providing settlement offers, which include buyouts.” Jindal says a “blue-ribbon commission” of experts will help Assumption Parish leaders address safety concerns. Jindal says parish officials and the state continue to wait for Texas Brine to reimburse the cost of sinkhole response efforts. Jindal says Assumption Parish government has billed Texas Brine for about $480,000 and has been reimbursed $265,000. The Assumption Parish Sheriff’s office has billed Texas Brine for $340,000 and been reimbursed $190,000. The state has billed Texas Brine for over $3.5 million and incurred a total cost of nearly $8 million but has not received any reimbursement, according to Jindal’s news release.