The Washington Parish Council held its first meeting of the year on Monday, January 9, 2023, at Council Chambers in the Washington Parish Courthouse. The first order of business was the election of a new Council Chairman. Council District #2 representative Shawn Rice of Enon was elected Chairman, and District #1 representative Joe Culpepper of Bogalusa was elected as Vice Chairman.
The meeting was then called to order. The Council adopted a resolution appointing Larry Magee and Justin Porche for Washington Parish Fire District No. 3 Board of Directions. Both will serve a two-year term expiring on December 31, 2024. A second resolution was adopted appointing Robert "Paul" Givens to Gas Utility No. 2 Board of Directors. This will be a five-year term expiring on December 31, 2027.
Next, the Council adopted an annual resolution stating the Washington Parish Government is in compliance with the Parish Transportation Fund and a resolution authorizing the signing of the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire for the Audit of Washington Parish Government for 2022.
In other business, the council voted to authorize Parish President Richard Thomas to administer a capital outlay project through the Louisiana Office of Facility Planning and Control in reference to the Pearl River Navigational Canal. Funds will used to support hydrology and engineering studies to determine the impact and costs involved in removal of water-control structures for public safety and acquisition of properties from the United States Corps of Engineers at the Pearl River Navigational Canal in Washington Parish.
The final agenda item was the adoption of a resolution directing the renewal of the levy and collection of a one-third of one percent sales and use tax for a period of ten years, beginning January 1, 2024, to provide, maintain, administer and operate services and facilities in the civil, juvenile and criminal justice system mandated by state statute to be funded by parish governments and further providing for other matters in connection with these entities.
A brief report by Parish President Richard Thomas noted an upcoming meeting with United States Representative Julia Letlow to discuss special projects.
Director of Finance Donna Graham informed the Council of some projects that will begin with the new year through state funding. A $75,000 project to improve the Animal Shelter building, a $400,000 project for the Washington Parish Courthouse, a one-million-dollar jail project and a $500,000 project for the Pearl River will all begin during the 2023 fiscal year.
A Department of Transportation and Development funded $400,000 to continue a sidewalk improvement project will also begin shortly.
Following the report of Transportation Manager Donnell Merritt, President Thomas noted that the transportation department is completing a great amount of work despite the recent rainy and freezing temperatures and these efforts are recognized by his office and the Council.
President Thomas offered his congratulations to new Council Chairman Shawn Rice and Vice Chairman Joe Culpepper and thanked outgoing Chairman Carley King for all his hard work in 2022. These comments were echoed by the rest of the Council in closing remarks. Shawn Rice concluded the meeting with his own thanks to the Council for entrusting him with the job as Chairman and thanked his family for their attendance.
