The Washington Parish Council and President met on Monday, December 4 in Council Chambers. Vice Chairman Joe Culpepper presided for the absent Chairman Shawn Rice. Following the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, the board began business by approving the minutes from the November 20 meeting.
The first item on the agenda included an ordinance to adopt the 2024 Annual Operating Budget and the Capital Outlay Budget for the Washington Parish Government. The budgets were the topic of a public meeting held at 5:45 pm. Director of Finance Donna Graham provided the Council with a thorough and detailed budget plan and used comparisons from previous years to help them gauge the financial health of the parish government. The ordinance concerning both budgets was adopted by the Council.
The Council then adopted a resolution for the re-appointment of Olander Smith and Brent Jones for the Washington Parish Communications District Board of Directors. Both gentlemens’ terms will expire on December 31, 2027. The Council also adopted a resolution authorizing the signing of the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire for the audit of the Washington Parish Government for the year ending December 31, 2023, as well as a resolution stating the Washington Parish Government is in compliance with the Parish Transportation Fund.
Next, the Council adopted a resolution of appointment for the Washington Parish Fire Protection District No. 7 Board of Directors. Malcolm Little, Ronald Pittman, and Jason Pierce will serve terms that will expire on December 31, 2025. The Council also adopted a resolution of appointment for the Washington Parish Fire Protection District No. 9. Board of Directors. Tracy Verret will serve on the board with term expiring on December 31, 2025.
The final business of the Council was a resolution to declare movable property as surplus/scrap and to acknowledge the authority pursuant to Home Rule Charter Section 4-03 C8, and the Louisiana local services law for the Parish of Washington, through the office of the parish president was adopted. Ken Wheat, Director of Public Works, explained that the item in question is a Volvo Motor Grader that he classified as a "lemon" since being purchased by the parish.
Mr. Wheat further explained that since the expiration of the grader's warranty, approximately $27,000 has been spent to keep the machine running. The current estimate to repair it is around $50,000. However, the grader has pieces and parts that can be used on other motor graders that are no longer covered by warranty. Thus, the Volvo grader will be declared as surplus so that it can be used as salvage. The Council approved this resolution.
Parish President Richard Thomas was pleased to begin his President's Report by acknowledging the retirement of Mrs. Etta Magee, a thirty-year employee at the Washington Parish Library.
According to a proclamation by President Thomas, Mrs. Magee began her library career on June 1, 1993, and worked her way through the system to achieve a position in the technology department, eventually becoming the Head of Technology and the Assistant Director of the Washington Parish Library. Mrs. Magee was responsible for keeping track of the library's eRate system which provides the library with internet and various technology services to the community on a daily basis and with this, her love of technology extended to teaching classes for the public where she had the opportunity to explain to others how to use a computer and the internet.
The proclamation further reads that parish government also honors Mrs. Magee for achieving 30 years of dedicated service to the Washington Parish Library. Mrs. Magee received a standing ovation by the Council, parish administration, and the audience. Councilman Reginald McMasters was pleased to add that Mrs. Magee is from his district, District 6.
The President's Report also included an announcement that on December 6 there will be a medication take-back event at the Bogalusa Council on Aging. Those bringing medication no longer needed for proper disposal will receive a free turkey while supplies last. On Wednesday, December 13 at Sugar Shack and the following Tuesday, December 19 at the Bogalusa Grill, Senator Beth Mizell and Representative-Elect John Wyble will be hosting a Business and Breakfast from 7:30 to 8:30 am. The Franklinton Chamber of Commerce is coordinating this and those interested in attending should RSVP to the Chamber.
Transportation Supervisor Danny Knight gave his monthly report and littering is still at an all-time high in the parish. Crews picked up 368 bags of trash on 29 roads. Crews were also busy installing four culverts, 16 signs and completed asphalt on L. Dillon Road. Quality Assurance Officer Alex Sumrall commended Kelvin Brown and his crew for assisting with the decorating of the Courthouse for Christmas.
Final comments included Ken Wheat commending the diligent work of Donna Graham when preparing the budget. He also noted that millions of dollars have come through the parish through grants and not from parish coffers. He appreciates the transparency the finance department has achieved. Council members congratulated Mrs. Etta Magee on her retirement and commended her for her service the parish.
