The Board of Aldermen for Franklinton met on October 25 at Town Hall.
The first order of business was adopting a resolution of support of a Capital Outlay Project for a Washington Parish Event Center. The parish government under the direction of President Richard Thomas is seeking funding for a multipurpose event center that will seat approximately 2,000 people and be available for various functions for parish residents. Mayor Greg Route informed the board that the town's support was the last "signature" of support needed to pursue funding for the center. The motion was approved unanimously.
The board then adopted the amended budget for 2021-22 but slowed the pace of the meeting when preparing to adopt the proposed budget for 2022-23. Alderman T. J. Butler asked several questions about items on the budget: credit card fees, supplemental pay for the police department, and DMV fees, which were all clarified by Town Clerk Ellen Waskom.
Several items on the budget such as gasoline costs for town vehicles will have to be amended at some point as the cost of gasoline is variable. Mayor Route shared that he hoped to save money spent yearly on having the minutes of meetings placed on the Town website versus printed in a legal journal (newspaper). Attorney James Knight asked for an opinion by the Attorney General to be sure this is acceptable; however, before the end of the meeting the mayor was notified that minutes must be published in a printed legal journal. The Era-Leader is the Official Journal for the Town of Franklinton.
There was also some discussion about a capital expenditure for the police department. The project calls for the construction of a building adjacent to the current police department headquarters to be used for officer training and for more secure interrogations and investigations. A citizen who spoke during public participation disagreed with this spending; however, it was explained that the department must currently go to other areas for training, and it is believed that the building will ultimately be more cost-effective.
The Board also discussed the current cost for animal control overtime. Alderman Seth Descant reminded the board that a fulltime position for animal control was approved months ago but has gone no farther. Attorney Knight will check the minutes from previous meetings to ensure what was approved and determine the next steps. Once the questions about specific line items were completed, the board voted to approve the projected budget for next fiscal year.
A sealed bid for town-owned property was opened, and the board entered discussion over the amount. Originally appraisers estimated the value of the property based on 14 acres. In actuality, the property is only seven acres. Alderman Darwin Sharp made a motion that the Town accept the bid while Alderwoman Patrice Crain noted that the property should be re-assessed based on the accurate acreage. A vote had Sharp and Descant approving the bid while Butler and Crain opposed. Alderman Heath Spears was absent, so Mayor Route had the deciding vote. The property will be reappraised and opened for bids again. An adjudicated property on Howard Street was voted to be sold to Habitat for Humanity.
Following departmental reports and public discussion, Mayor Route congratulated the Washington Parish Fair Association for a wonderful fair and announced a Trunk or Treat will be held at the Town Hall parking lot on October 29. He also stated that prior to the November 8 meeting veterans will be honored at a short program, and he invites all local veterans and the public to attend.
