The Washington Parish Council met before a capacity crowd on November 14 in the council chambers at the Washington Parish Courthouse. A public hearing convened at 5:45 for the purpose of public comment on an ordinance to amend the 2022 operating budget for the Washington Parish Government. There being no public participation, the public hearing adjourned and during the regular meeting the ordinance was adopted by the council.
The regular meeting's first item of business was discussing and taking appropriate action concerning an Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) application for the Sunlight Road Solar, LLC. Trip Roy, representing the LLC thanked all who came to the meeting to speak on behalf of or against the project. He reminded the council that his organization had completed a 300-page application and had secured contracts with Entergy and the Army Corps of Engineers. The final item to proceed was the Parish Council granting the ITEP so that the project could proceed and be online by December 2024. Mr. Roy then explained the actual monetary amounts applicable to the project. Councilman Reginald McMasters asked for clarification on the exact amount of taxes the parish would receive if ITEP is granted versus if it is not. The floor was then opened to five citizens who countered the tax-exempt status as well as the solar project itself by offering their interpretation of the actual money amounts involved as well as the agricultural acreage leased by Sunlight Road Solar. An ITEP consultant offered to clarify any questions.
Following the discussion, councilman McMasters made a motion to deny ITEP status to Sunlight Road Solar LLC, and the council voted unanimously to reject the LLC's bid for industrial tax-exempt status.
A second solar project seeking ITEP approval by the Council was Bogalusa West PVI, LLC. Representative of the company Chris Berry asked that the council table the discussion and taking action until he and colleagues had a time extension to better prepare. He stated that Bogalusa West PVI involves timber land versus agriculture land and that the situation is different from the Sunlight Road Solar project. While there was disagreement by some present, the council, on a motion by Rusty Fornea, voted to table further action until the December 12 regular meeting.
The meeting moved forward with the agenda and heard from citizen Richard Magee of Franklinton. Mr. Magee apologized for "crowding" the council's agenda but asked each to be ever aware of his or her responsibilities as the largest and most powerful governing body in the parish. He urged them to be empathetic and sympathetic in all they do and to "make good decisions" for the citizens of Washington Parish.
In other business the council approved several appointments. Huey Bickham was reappointed to the Utility Gas District 1 Board of Directors. Leo Mickenheim was appointed to the Bogue Lusa Waterworks District Board of Directors, and Tommy Terrell was appointed to the Varnado Waterworks District Board of Directors. Cynthia August and Sarah Burris were reappointed to the Washington Parish Communication Board of Directors and Orlander Smith was reappointed to the Washington Parish Recreation District 1 Board of Directors.
During public participation, Jackie Tate, who was previously incorrectly identified by The Era-Leader as a Washington Parish School System bus driver, thanked the board and Parish President Richard Thomas on behalf of the children and their parents for efforts to provide a safe bus turnaround on Delta Lane. Ms. Tate is actually an employee at the Bogalusa paper mill, but as a community activist she generously volunteered to approach the proper government bodies to address the situation. There is now a proper turnaround on Delta Lane, and Ms. Tate thanked the council for their commitment to the safety of the parish's children. Following the meeting she clarified her involvement and profession to The Era-Leader, which apologizes for any incorrect information.
Parish President Richard Thomas heard reports from Transportation Manager Donnell Merritt, Director of Finance Donna Graham, and Floodplain Manager Ken Wheat. Mr. Wheat informed the council that the DOTD will be providing the parish with eight to ten million dollars to address bridges in the parish. The DOTD performs rigorous inspections on all bridges and the replacements will follow the ranking by the DOTD as well as need. He anticipates that this could be up to a five-year project.
President Thomas also reminded the council that a one-third cent sales tax will be up for renewal in the new year. This tax specifically provides funds for parish government, Sheriff's department, the courthouse, the District Attorney, and judges. Mr. Thomas reiterated that this is not a new tax but a renewal of one already in place. He asked that the council sign-off in support of this renewal. Mr. Wheat also spoke on behalf of the renewal and that it is vital for the parish government to provide for the needs of the parish adequately and appropriately.
