The Washington Parish Council met on Monday, October 10 in Council Chambers. With a relatively short agenda leading into the Washington Parish Free Fair, the council set two public hearings to be held on Monday, October 24. These hearings will be held at 5:45 pm and will be open for public comments and/or questions on two proposed ordinances. The first ordinance will authorize the Washington Parish President to execute an Act of Establishment of Servitude of Passage or Way for a school bus turnaround on Delta Lane. The second ordinance will authorize the purchase of immovable property together with improvements a building located in Angie.
In other business, the council voted to adopt a resolution authorizing the Parish President to sign a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement to assist the Washington Parish Fair Association with skilled labor and mechanized equipment towards road rehabilitation, parking lot, ground surface rehabilitation and/or construction.
Parish President Richard Thomas praised the participants of the Team Up to Clean Up sponsored by the Franklinton Chamber of Commerce. He also mentioned two potential projects that are gathering information and that are being considered. One is the addition of a "country store" at the Bogue Chitto State Park and the other a USDA Rural Development project that will address areas of poverty in the parish. Parish Financial Officer Donna Graham reported that through September, all funds are in a positive situation. She is also working on the 2023 budget and will be presenting it to the council for approval in the next few weeks. Director of Public Works Kenneth Wheat reported that areas at Poole's Bluff have been barricaded following the recent high water for the public's safety, but refurbishment is ongoing to the pier and gazebo, and both should be open again soon.
Washington Parish Animal Shelter Manager Kelsey Knight brought the council up to date on programs at the shelter. Four weekends have been set aside for anyone who may need volunteer service hours or for those who would like to help at the shelter. The shelter currently offers a low-cost spay and neuter program for low-income residents. Mrs. Knight did emphasize that residents must have proof they are low-income with EBT cards, Medicaid cards, or other means and that retired veterans are also eligible for the low-cost services. She further explained that the Washington Parish Humane Society offers low-cost clinics for vaccines and vet care, and these services are not offered at the shelter. The animal shelter and Humane Society are proposing a voucher program that will consist of Washington Parish veterinarians setting one price and providing all before and after care for lower income families. The WP vets would have a list of all presurgical needs in the one price and have no hidden fees. If more diagnosing is needed, that can be discussed after the sterilization surgery has been completed and only after the owner agrees. Owners who cannot provide proof of low-income status would be directed to the proposed vouchers and allowed to choose which clinic they would prefer. This voucher program is in the early stages of development, and Mrs. Knight will keep the council informed on its progress.
President Thomas added that Parish Government Offices will be closed Wednesday, Thursday and Friday during the Washington Parish Free Fair. The next Washington Parish Council meeting will be held Monday, October 24, 2022, in Council Chambers at the Washington Parish Courthouse.
