The regular meeting of the Franklinton Town Council was held on Tuesday, August 23.
The highlight of the meeting was the annual audit report presented by local CPA Minda Raybourn. Each member of the council and the mayor received an in-depth audit analysis, but Ms. Raybourn highlighted a few things in her report. In the past year the Town of Franklinton collected nearly $3 million in sales taxes. She further explained that this figure has increased due to the Covid pandemic. People have had more money to spend due to the federal government's assistance payments and because online spending with companies such as Amazon now directs sales tax to local entities.
$2.5 million was collected from utilities payments and along with several smaller line items, the town had an income of nearly $8 million.
Expenses totaled $7.3 million, so the town had a net income of approximately $700,000. There are some capital improvement projects to the town's infrastructure underway which will account for a portion of this income. Ms. Raybourn also noted some financial procedures that need to be updated to ensure that the town is in compliance with all policies and laws.
The council voted 3-2 in favor of allowing police officers to apply their earned, unused sick-time towards their retirement. The proposed change was explained in a few different ways; however, the end-result appeared to be the same. Currently, officers may utilize their earned sick-time prior to retirement which contributes to the retirement over the duration of aggregate sick days. The change will allow the officers to stay on duty until their retirement date and apply their earned sick-time without taking any time off.
In either instance, the officer and the town would contribute the same amount of money into the retirement system.
In other business, the alderman also voted to authorize the sale of property located on Highway 16 to WIT Contracting of Franklinton, LLC.
Departmental reports of note included Brandon LaSalle, Fire Chief, who stated that the Franklinton Volunteer Fire Department had responded to 178 calls for assistance this year and is holding steady at 19 total volunteers. The mayor asked Chief LaSalle about the the town's fire rating, which is currently a six, compared to its long history of being rated at a four. This new rating has caused in-town residents' homeowner's insurance premiums to increase substantially. Chief LaSalle had spoken with several officials about this situation, as had the mayor. Both agreed that this is being corrected and that Franklinton residents should see the Fire Department return to its former rating soon.
Police Chief Justin Brown reported in the time period of July 26 to August 22 the police responded to 723 calls for service including traffic accidents, medical emergencies, alarms, burglaries, armed robbery and theft by shoplifting. Chief Brown further explained to the council there is a growing concern regarding thefts by shoplifting as some corporate offices are refusing to prosecute those the department apprehends. Chief Brown stated the council and mayor may want to consider drafting a letter to corporations who have businesses placed in Franklinton, urging them to see thefts through the process of prosecution of the accused shoplifters to help curtail such crimes.
During public participation a concerned citizen questioned the status of four unsolved local deaths, and Chief Brown was asked to clarify. One of the deaths was ruled a suicide by the medical examiner, which the FPD does not publicize because of the nature of the death. Another was explained by Chief Brown as a "cold case" that occurred during the previous chief's tenure. The investigation is ongoing; however, there have been no leads nor new evidence, and a potential witness in that case has relocated to another state, refusing to cooperate. A third death was ruled by the medical examiner as "no foul play" evident. The final case is open, and investigation is on-going with results from the state's crime lab forthcoming.
Chief Brown reminded the Council and Mayor Route that Franklinton may want to join the Crimestoppers organization. As a member of this nationwide organization, money for rewards as well as a wider net of investigation are possibilities.
Mayor Route suggested that moving forward there be a press release when such crimes are solved to alleviate citizens' concerns. Chief Brown urged citizens with information regarding unsolved cases to share that information. "The task of public safety is a shared responsibility between law enforcement and the community. Law enforcement needs the eyes, ears and most importantly the voice of the community unwilling to allow crime to take over their neighborhoods. Citizens inherently condone crime by remaining silent," Brown said.
During the mayor and council statements at the meeting, Mayor Route stated he had received several calls from concerned parents regarding the upcoming football game between Franklinton High and Bogalusa High. Specifically, this is due to another murder which occurred in Bogalusa following a series of shootings and murders in previous weeks. Mayor Route asked Chief Brown if a meeting could be held to potentially move the game to Franklinton or have it cancelled altogether. Chief Brown advised he would forward the concerns and request to the appropriate officers and school officials and report back.
