Once Monday's, August 8th, Washington Parish Council Meeting was called to order, the board began by accepting the previous meeting's minutes. After the typical start to the meeting, the council passed a vote accepting Ordinance 22-715, which authorizes the conveyance of removable property owned by Washington Parish Government. This ordinance includes improvements and also allows the Washington Parish President to sign any documents necessary to complete the act of sale. Chairman Carley King explained, "This is an introduction only, and we will have a public hearing on August 22nd at 5:45pm."
Next on the agenda, was the approval of Ordinance 22-714, an ordinance accepting Dani K Lane as a parish road. After the approval of the new road, the council made a motion and passed Resolution 22-1167.
This resolution calls for a special election to be held in sales tax district number three in the parish of Washington, state of Louisiana, on Saturday, December 10th, 2022, for the purpose of authorizing the renewal of the levy and the collection of a third of one percent sales and use tax. This tax, as explained by several council members, is very important for Washington Parish and needs to be renewed by the people during the vote.
Also on the table for the council's discussion and vote was Resolution 22-1168, which appoints Ellie W. King to the Board of Directors in Washington Parish Fire District Number 8 until December 31st, 2022. After the introduction of the resolution, the council voted and approved the appointment of Ellie King.
Once the council's agenda was complete, the chairman motioned to open the meeting up for public discussion. After the floor was opened up to the public, Jackie Tate of Franklinton began addressing the council about an urgent matter regarding the community's children. It was made known that children from Washington Parish Schools were unable to be dropped off by their bus on Delta Lane where they lived because their road was not wide enough for a bus to drive down and turn around. Mrs. Tate explained, "This afternoon we got several calls where kids were let off the bus on Penton Road and it was storming and the kids had to get off the bus and walk back there." According to Google Maps, some children may have had to walk up to 5 minutes to reach their houses during the storm. Council then explained that not much can be done to alleviate the problem unless the landowners of the lots on Delta Lane allow the parish to widen the road using some of their property. However, the Parish President, Richard Thomas Jr. explained that he would check into the matter himself.
After public discussion, the council moved on to the president's report. During the report, President Thomas congratulated Library Director Sonnet Ireland for her recent Lousiana Public Librarian of the Year Award. He explained that he, Richard Thomas Jr. "...does hereby honor her for the contributions she has made for the substance of Washington Parish, and the State of Louisiana and beyond."
After the president’s report came to a close, the council began departmental reports and once completed, the meeting was adjourned, and the next Washington Parish Council meeting is scheduled for the 22nd of August.
