The Washington Parish Council held its most recent regular meeting at the Washington Parish Courthouse on Monday, October 7. Following the Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, minutes from the September 23 meeting were approved.
Next was the adoption of a resolution to reappoint Washington Parish Fire Protection District #3 board members Dudley Nelson, Jeff Taylor, and Hadley Magee. These terms are effective immediately and will expire on December 31, 2025. The Council then adopted a resolution to reappoint Washington Parish Gas Utility District #2 board member Joe Felder. His term will be effective on January 1, 2025, and expire on December 31, 2029. A third resolution was then adopted to reappoint Washington Parish Communications District Board Members Jim Coleman, Mike Stogner, and Danny Harris. Their terms will be effective on January 1, 2025, and expire December 31, 2029.
The Council then adopted the Required CDBG-DR Program Policies and Procedures. Director of Finance Donna Graham explained that the acronym stands for Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery and in particular is in reference to the Resilient Community Infrastructure Grant program.
She noted that most of the policies and procedures have been formerly adopted by the Council, but the program wanted an all-in-one adoption of procedures.
Mrs. Graham went on to list individual plans under the CDRG-DR umbrella and explained that this is a typical requirement for such programs.
In public participation, Mr. William Marse of Mt. Hermon informed the Council that he is now the deputy for Animal Control/Animal Services in Washington Parish. He urged the Council to consider specific parish ordinances concerning animal control violations. Currently, he is only issuing citations for violations of state ordinances, and these are addressed in court in Baton Rouge. However, Washington Parish violations per parish ordinances will mean the fines and such will remain in the parish.
In the President's Report, Mrs. Graham noted that each Council member had a financial statement effective September 30, 2024. Courthouse Maintenance currently has a negative balance; however, this is due to the recent jail renovations and the state will be reimbursing the parish for this capital outlay. Mrs. Graham further pointed out that the numbers are reflected in the amended budget, and all fund balances are positive. She ended her report by adding that the September budget numbers are what will be used for the 2025 budget which her staff will be working on in the coming weeks.
Transportation Manager Danny Knight gave his department's report for September. Workers completed drainage projects on 33 roads, graded 38 roads for a total of 67 miles; bushhogged 132 roads for 241 miles; installed 10 culverts; installed 15 signs on 8 roads; maintained 10 locations; and picked up 312 bags of trash on 24 roads. Mr. Knight also stated that parish crews have completed overlay projects on Sanders Road and Silverado Lane. Parish crews have also completed rebuilding the Jimi Thomas Road bridge.
Public Works Director Alex Sumrall updated the Council on the Bogalusa Health Unit and Permit Office projects that will begin in the next week. The renovation of the Courthouse will start the week of October 14. Mr. Sumrall thanked Mr. Danny Knight and parish crews for the outstanding job on the Jimi Thomas Road bridge. The bridge was in desperate need of replacement. He reminded everyone that this is a 3-ton bridge, and loggers and overweight vehicles should use alternate routes instead of using this road as a cut-through. Construction has started on the Plainview Recreation Park with new fencing, backstop, and netting with bids for lighting being currently accepted. Finally, he reported that the Best Friends Animal Shelter Society for the Franklinton Animal Control fence should be starting soon. The Washington Parish Shelter also has approximately 20 dogs if anyone needs a pet. The shelter has lots to offer.
Parish President Ryan Seal reported that the Best Friends Animal Shelter Society has funded a grant for the Franklinton Animal Shelter to construct a new fence. The parish shelter has also received a grant from the Stanton Foundation which is earmarked to provide new play areas for the dogs. The shelter will also have the services of a veterinarian twice a month for spaying and neutering animals. This is also provided by a grant. The most recent spaying and neutering of 32 animals helped the shelter reach a milestone of 2,000. President Seal also noted that food is donated regularly by residents to the shelter and recently five dogs were added to the obedience program at Rayburn Correctional Center.
President Seal also had a positive visit with a resident of Silverado Lane who is pleased with the new pavement. He is also pleased with advancements in patient care at Riverside Hospital and feels that health care in Washington Parish is at an all-time best. President Seal ended his report with reminding everyone to enjoy the fair as well as his condolences to the Frankie Crosby Sr. family.
The Council ended the meeting by echoing their sorrow for the sudden death of Frankie Crosby and on a lighter note, wishes for a safe and fun fair. The next meeting will be held on Monday, October 21.
