The Original Krewe of Orpheus wants to sponsor a St. Patrick’s Day parade in Mandeville as a way to raise funds for the carnival organization, but City Council members question how much an additional parade will cost the city.

Lex Cairns, president for the Orpheus, told the council last week the purpose of the St. Patrick’s Day parade is to provide an additional revenue source for the krewe.

However, council members questioned why they should approve a fund-raiser for the group when it will cost the city more than $22,000. Captain Brett Lowe said he feels by allowing companies an opportunity to advertise, this would encourage people to shop in Mandeville and the parade could actually benefit the city financially through an increase in sales tax revenue.

The council also questions if it will be able to provide law enforcement for another parade.

Cairns said Orpheus would like to rent out the floats, which it owns, to local businesses and families and allows them to ride in the parade.

He said it would be a win-win situation, allowing people who do not belong to an established krewe the opportunity to experience riding in a parade and the krewe of Orpheus will make money off the rental of the floats.

He said businesses would be allowed to put banners on the floats advertising their company as well as to throw cups and other items with their company logo.

“We wanted to have an additional revenue stream and help local businesses, which could advertise their business from the floats,” Cairns said.

He said the parade would also give krewe members an opportunity to invite family members to ride in a parade with them.

Plans were to have 12-16 floats in this year’s parade with that number increasing next year. However, Lowe said the initial response he has received from the public has been very encouraging and he anticipates that number will likely be more than 20. The parade would not include any marching groups or non-float vehicles.

If approved the parade would be held March 21 at 2 p.m.

Lowe said many Mandeville families go to the Southshore to see Irish parades, and he hopes the council will approve the permit so they will no longer have to do so.

“We want to keep families over here,” he said.

According to the special events application submitted before the council, the parade is estimated to cost the police department $8,000, the fire department $2,000 and public works $12,000. The city will also have to foot the bill to Waste Management for clean up after the parade.

The Special Events Committee recommended denying the permit, asking if the city could afford to fund another parade just five weeks after Mardi Gras.

Acting Police Chief Ron Ruple said cost aside; he does not think he can get the manpower to cover a parade on that day.

He said to cover parades he uses officers from eight different agencies. Slidell also has a parade planned for that weekend and therefore the pool of available officers is limited.

The council has agreed to revisit the issue at its next meeting on Nov. 19.