The Washington Parish Council met on Monday of last week (April 28). The meeting began with a moment of silence for the late Mrs. Nelda Seal, mother of Parish President Ryan Seal, who passed away earlier that day. Following the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, the Council approved the minutes from the April 14 Special Meeting, the April 14 Public Hearing, and the April 14, Regular Meeting.
The Council first heard an introduction to an ordinance setting the salary of the Washington Parish Clerk of the Council. Ms. Jesse Applewhite was hired for this position at the April 14 meeting. Next the Council adopted three ordinances that were the subject of a public hearing held at the beginning of the meeting. First, the council adopted an ordinance amending certain ordinances levying sales taxes in Washington Parish and providing for other connected matters.
The next ordinance adopted was to levy taxes for 2025 - millage at the same rate as prior year - on property subject to taxation in Washington Parish.
The Council then adopted an ordinance authorizing the Washington Parish Government to allow for an Ad Valorem Tax Exemption for qualified first responders. Parish attorney Matthew Garver explained during the public hearing that this is based on recently passed state legislation. It is $2,500 added to the first responder's homeowner property tax/homestead exemption. It is to be an annual benefit applied for each year at the Assessor's office. The tax benefit will take effect in 2026 and Garver added that no legal interpretation has been provided yet.
Ben Sarro, a former first responder, questioned if one must reside in the parish to receive this and what if the state is the employer? Mr. Garver said the first responder must live in the parish where homestead exemption is registered and further reiterated that this is a state benefit that the parish is opting to participate in. No matter where the first responder works (locally or statewide), the tax benefits will be applied through the parish. Garver also noted that the first responder criteria has yet to be set. Councilman Shawn Rice, a Captain with the Franklinton Police Department, recused himself from this vote.
The Council then adopted a resolution approving the holding of an election in Washington Parish Fire Protection District No. 1 on Saturday, October 11, 2025, to authorize the levy of a special tax. Mr. Hardy Andrews explained that the proposal on the ballot will create one combined millage for construction, operations, and maintenance for the fire district. The new millage will be a 2.77 increase to the existing millage in the fire district. If passed the millage will be one 15 mills tax. Councilman Reginald McMasters stated that this is for only Fire District #1. A proposed tax failed to pass in District #1 in the most recent election in March.
The final act of the evening was a resolution appointing Tammy Pierce to the Washington Parish Planning Commission. She will be serving in Council President Kim Wagner's vacant position on the commission. President Wagner believes she will be an excellent addition to the board.
In Public Participation, Mr. Ben Sarro asked President Wagner to explain her attendance at a solar farm meeting in Baton Rouge. Mrs. Wagner elaborated that she attended with Nick Smith, a vocal opponent to solar farms, who gave a testimony on the farms located in Washington Parish. Mrs. Wagner reminded everyone that Washington Parish was one of the first parishes in the state to develop ordinances governing solar farms, and it has been "ahead of the curve" on dealing with subsequent issues. The state is getting involved with this issue, she said, and she is proud of Washington Parish's ordinances and established regulations.
Sheriff Jason Smith reported that the proposed facility to be located in Varnado to relieve jail overcrowding is moving slowly. He has been meeting with architects and the fire marshal on the plan. The parish government has provided funding for improvements to the current jail and Sheriff Smith is pleased with the difference from a little less than a year ago. He invited the Council to take a tour to see for themselves.
The sheriff noted that 16 inmates are housed in other locales. There are currently 30,000 inmates in state prisons and half of that number are housed in parish jails. He said there is a difference in the per diem for state facilities versus parish, and it is cheaper to house state inmates in parish jails. A higher per diem for parish facilities is being worked on.
Sheriff Smith also announced that various private events are being held at different in the parish and publicized on social media. He said hosts need to be aware that the parish has approval processes for special events and following proper protocol will ensure safety for all involved.
Also, he said, on Wednesday, April 30, the 911 call center will be open and operating and providing a huge benefit for the parish. Finally, the sheriff is continuing the tradition of running in the torch run for the Special Olympics held in Hammond. Officers at the sheriff's department, Bogalusa and Franklinton Police Departments and Rayburn Correctional will move the torch from the parish line at Sun through Bogalusa, to Franklinton, and hand it off at the parish line near Folsom. He requires open minds and sunny dispositions of those who participate in this great event.
In the President's report, Transportation Manager Danny Knight reported that since April 14, crews picked up 345 bags of litter on 51 roads and installed 31 signs on 24 roads. Crews also cleaned and cut 15 locations around the parish.
Public Works Director Alex Sumrall gave the monthly statistics from the permit department. 695 year-to-date issued permits included April's 87 reconnects, 23 mobile homes, and 17 new construction single family residences. He presented this as proof that the parish is continuing to grow.
Sumrall also reported that the Animal Shelter received a $3,000 grant from Best Friends Animal Society to be used for supplies and for spaying and neutering. There are currently 13 dogs available for adoption.
He is also working on the 2025 Asphalt Resurfacing of Washington Parish Roads and is hoping to get around 23 or 24 miles of new roads in the parish. The hope is also that about half of this can be done by in-house asphalt crews.
It was noted that Parish President was absent due to his mother's passing. Her service will be on Thursday, May 1, and the family will appreciate all prayers as they navigate this time.
The Council members welcomed Mrs. Jesse Applewhite and thanked administrative assistant Danielle Folks for her willingness to assist the Council during the interim of hiring a new clerk.
All expressed condolences to President Seal and his family. President Wagner encouraged all the Council members to support the area's graduates by attending one or more of the commencement events. She also added that due to Memorial Day falling on the final Monday of May, the meeting schedule has been moved up one week and the next meeting will be held on Monday, May 5.
