The Washington Parish Council met on December 15, with an agenda of 14 items to address before the end of the year. The meeting began with a public hearing on four ordinances to be voted on by the Council during the regular meeting immediately after.
The regular meeting then began with a prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Miss Madelyn Seal. Madelyn and Council President Kim Wagner share a special friendship and as this was the final meeting in Wagner's term as President, it was a sweet moment for both.
Next, the Council heard from State Sen. Beth Mizell. Mizell was excited to explain a plan she has been working on with Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser and his staff to attract more tourists to Washington Parish and more specifically Franklinton.
The project calls for better utilizing the Bogue Chitto River and all it has to offer visitors. The nearby Bogue Chitto State Park boasts 150,000 visitors per year and often those looking for other entertainment options will turn left onto Hwy 25 and journey to St. Tammany Parish rather than turning right and traveling into Franklinton.
Preliminary plans call for upgrading the boat ramp area in Franklinton with more pavilions and gathering areas as well as establishing a kayak rental facility. This would only be the beginning, Sen. Mizell explained, as this is a great untapped resource for the area. She simply asked the Council's "blessing" to move forward with making the proposal a reality. Meanwhile, the state office of Cultural Recreation/Tourism will be developing more specific plans to be completed in phases. Council members Kim Wagner and Steven Branch shared their enthusiasm and support of the proposed project.
The Council then heard from Washington Parish Fire District 7 Board of Commissioners Jason Pierce and Joannie Miller. (District 7 is located in southeast Washington Parish.) At the December 1, 2025, Council meeting, both Pierce and Miller failed to receive a vote of reappointment.
Council Chairman Kim Wagner also stated at that meeting that it’s time for harmony in District 7, and she hopes that will be the Board of Commissioners ‘theme for 2026.
Pierce and Miller issued statements citing the work both had done on the Board of Commissioners and the great need to establish transparency and stability. Pierce stated he believes in District 7 and fire protection is not a slogan but a promise. He then detailed the actions he has taken to protect the fire district while making needed maintenance and improvement decisions. He ended his time requesting the Council amend the agenda and reinstate him and Mrs. Miller.
Mrs. Miller detailed how she took a more active role in the past year on the board and helped remedy waste, fraud, and abuse in the fire district. She also asked the Council to demonstrate its commitment to "good government."
The Council then moved into business items which included ordinances and resolutions. The Council was to adopt an ordinance to amend certain sections of Ordinance No. 22-707, "The Washington Parish Utility Scale Solar Project Facility Standards Ordinance". However, Councilman Joe Culpepper expressed his desire to table the vote citing a need for more information as the reason. He wants to learn more to incorporate the best practices for the most growth in Washington Parish.
The Council then adopted an ordinance to regulate the transport, delivery, and placement of mobile homes within the unincorporated areas of Washington Parish; to require permits; to establish responsibilities for installers, transporters, and owners; to require display of permits; to prohibit unpermitted installations; to provide for penalties; to authorize enforcement; and for all other related matters.
During the public hearing attorney Matt Garver explained that this ordinance provides structure versus past variations and also detailed the fine fee scale. Public Works Director Alex Sumrall added that this protects the owner by requiring the transporter to follow the ordinance.
The Council then adopted an ordinance authorizing the Washington Parish President to enter into a contract with Thompson Consulting Services for disaster debris monitoring and management services and a second ordinance authorizing a contract for disaster debris removal and disposal services with Crowder Gulf. These contracts are precautions of weather disasters, and both companies have solid reputations and have worked together before.
The Council then approved six resolutions to reappoint Charles McDaniel to the Varnado Water Works District Board of Directors; John Nathaniel to the Washington Parish Gas Utility District No. 1 Board of Directors; Kimberly Windham to the Washington Parish Tourism Commission Board of Directors; Ella Bickham to the Washington Parish Tourism Commission Board of Directors; Evelyn Lorraine Brazil-Hall to the Washington Parish Tourism Commission Board of Directors; and Karisan Lott to the Bogue Lusa Waterworks District Board of Directors. All terms will expire on December 31, 2030.
In Public Participation, an attorney representing Fire District District 7 spoke about specifics concerning the district and fraud investigations. He also described the disharmony of the district and potential causes which included pay scales and incentive pay. He said the District 7 Board of Commissioners addressed these issues, which created dissension among the district's employees. There have also been deficiencies within the district including payroll and insurance fraud, he noted.
Next, James Rushing, Civil Service Chairperson, gave his perspective on the District 7 situation and explained the discrepancies in payroll and overtime situations. He ended by claiming the corruption and fraud are not through the firefighters. Bubba Borne explained that the situation is basically about the responsibilities of the district’s board of commissioners. The problems can be traced back to 2017 and before, and he feels they will not be solved overnight. Accountability and oversight are the responsibility of the board, he said. He is concerned about the removal of Pierce and Miller from the Board and feels the Council made the decision without all the available information.
Sheriff Jason Smith gave a jail update with 212 inmates for 144 beds, continuing to make it the most overcrowded jail per capita in the state. Significant improvements have been made in the past month. The biggest update is the closing of the purchase of acreage in the center of the parish that will one day be the site of a new jail and all things sheriff department-related.
Smith also gave a brief explanation of the parish's reduction of opioid deaths with 41 deaths two years ago and only 18 this year.
In other public participation Devin Castleberry came forward in support of Jason Pierce and Joanie Miller. Miller returned to question why a request to be on the agenda to have a resolution passed reinstating Pierce and herself was not granted. Council Chairman Kim Wagner explained that the vote had been taken and the Council did not have to honor the request. It would also have to be a unanimous vote to amend the agenda to introduce the resolution. Councilman Reginald McMasters noted that no one came forward when the reappointments failed at the December 1 meeting. He invited the concerned citizens to come to a committee meeting to "put everything on the table."
In the President's Report, Public Works Director Alex Sumrall reported his disappointment that as of December 15, 374 bags of litter were collected on 42 parish roads. Crews also installed 8 signs on 7 roads and cut and cleaned 4 parish locations. He further reported that Homeland Security Director Bobbi Jo Breland and Britt Watson took part in a successful emergency preparedness exercise at Our Lady of the Angels Hospital. The 2026 Road Resurfacing package will be going out soon so if any roads may need this, please let him know.
Parish President Ryan Seal reported that the Christmas season is in full swing in the parish. He and Alex Sumrall attended a transportation program and was he able to speak about the Hwy 60 bridge. He also feels he is making progress on the railroad crossing on Hwy 10 in Bogalusa.
Rouse's Market held a positive meeting and will add approximately 20 more employees as it replaces Winn-Dixie in Franklinton. Seal is excited about the company's plans. Jingle Paws was a great success the prior weekend. He is excited about the 250-year anniversary of the United States, and each parish is encouraged to participate. A live oak tree will be planted at the Veteran's Memorial Park to commemorate the nation.
The meeting ended with Council Chairman Kim Wagner being presented a "golden gavel" by Councilman Steven Branch to mark the end of her year as the first female chairman of the Washington Parish Council.
The next meeting will be held on January12, 2026.
