The Washington Parish Council held its last regular meeting of the year on Monday, December 16 in Council Chambers. The minutes of the December 2 meeting were approved, and the Council then tackled a fairly long agenda.
First was the adoption of an ordinance acknowledging the Change of Preface to the Washington Parish Development Ordinance. Parish attorney Wayne Kuhn explained that the Planning Commission and the legal department began working on this in 2012. The issue was the adoption of ordinances versus the discussion of them. Kuhn added that former administrative assistant Terry Morgan worked on this for over a year, compiling and cross-referencing. Current administrative assistant Danielle Folks then took on the project and created a binder that is cross-referenced. The preface was outdated and is now current.
Next was adoption of a resolution to allow the Washington Parish President to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with the City Court of Bogalusa regarding Opioid Settlement Funds. The city court is requesting funds for the purpose of enhancing their Court Addiction Response Team (CART) to look at criminal behavior in light of addiction. A team will meet weekly to determine the next steps for such situations. The financial auditing will be done by the City of Bogalusa which will submit information to the parish for reimbursement.
The Council then adopted two resolutions about meeting dates and times. First the regular meeting schedule was approved followed by a resolution to amend the rules and order of business for the Council. This was approved and regular meetings will now begin at 5:30 pm versus the current 6:00 pm. On dates when a public hearing is called, the hearing will begin at 5:30 pm and there will be a transition to the regular meeting. Councilman Shawn Rice summed it up by stating, "Get here at 5:30 and you won't miss anything." Chairman Culpepper also pointed out that agendas are posted on the chamber's doors 48 hours prior to meetings. Resolutions to be voted on are also available in Parish President Seal's office.
The Council also approved several resolutions of reappointment to members to various boards. Larry Magee and Tommy Waldrep were reappointed to the Board of Directors of Washington Parish Fire Protection District #3. Dr. Robin Fabre was reappointed to the Board of Directors of Riverside Medical Center. Penny Moses, Sally Thomas, and Emma Jean Ross were reappointed to the Board of Control of the Washington Parish Library. Kathy Warner and Richard Moody were reappointed to the Board of Directors of Washington Parish Fire Protection District #5. Willie Peters and Freddie Jefferson were reappointed to the Board of Directors of Washington Parish Fire Protection District #6. All terms will be effective January 1, 2025, and expire December 31, 2026.
In other business, the board approved a resolution accepting a 0.640-acre tract of land in the Village of Angie. Wayne Kuhn explained that this was part of the Chick Boyd estate with a caboose sitting on unused railroad tracks. The heirs sold the property to Executive Holdings L.L.C. which did not need the tract. It is donated to be used by the library. Additionally, a resolution was adopted to delegate Signature Authority to the Washington Parish President for the Office of Community Development.
The most attention of the night was given to a resolution to allow the Washington Parish Government to utilize American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to benefit the Law Enforcement District of Washington Parish Facility.
Director of Finance Donna Graham explained that ARPA funds received for Covid relief that are not contracted or spent by December 31, 2024, must be returned to the federal government. The account currently has $516,000 with $76,000 contracted for the recreation district. Mrs. Graham has met with Sheriff Jason Smith about the overcrowding of the parish jail and monthly fines for this as well as paying for inmates to be housed in other jurisdictions. The sheriff is working on establishing a temporary satellite site to house female prisoners and the $450,000 in the resolution could be contracted for this purpose and relieve taxpayers of the full funding burden.
Mr. William Lewis of a citizens group from Angie, Varnado and Live Oak, expressed concerns about the facility and noted that the resolution doesn't specify that the facility will be temporary. Rosa Moses, Clifton Roberts, and Joel Lewis Sr. also spoke of their worries that the facility will become permanent, and the area become the "mecca of incarceration" for the parish.
Councilman McMasters noted that upon the sheriff's invitation he toured the jail for the first time and was appalled at the conditions that the jailed humans, no matter their crimes, must endure. He added that the women's facilities are "a mess." This helped convince him of the need for an alternate facility while renovations are made.
Sheriff Smith, who has met with the concerned citizens group, explained that the Varnado facility is a temporary solution to a much larger problem of jail overcrowding. He makes no secret of the need for a new, modern jail with room for the current population, but he also realizes this will take time to achieve. The sheriff also assured the citizen group that the parish must approve any plans before moving forward and this includes the temporary facility.
The Council voted to approve the resolution with Councilman Clark Harry, representing the area in question, voting no.
In public participation, the sheriff explained the District Attorney is actively pursuing charging drug dealers with 2nd degree murder when an overdose death occurs. That said, an arrest was made after an overdose on Sunday. He added that the jail currently has 255 inmates with 34 housed in Tensas parish at a cost of $1,000 per day. The Speaker of the Louisiana House also toured the jail and was taken aback. He is enthusiastic and confident that funds will be available for a new jail. The sheriff is also studying other means of finance beyond taxpayers. The proposed satellite facility is still in planning stage and "we aren't there yet."
Jackie Tate wished attorney Wayne Kuhn a happy retirement. William Lewis thanked the Council for their patience and answering questions.
In the President's Report, Donna Graham explained the financial statement for November and was pleased that all major funds are in a positive balance situation. The November balance was $19,169,000. President Seal noted that "we are in solid financial shape."
Public Works Director Alex Sumrall reported that 320 bags of trash were picked up on 27 roads, two new signs ordered, and 30 signs installed on 21 roads. Theft of road signs is illegal and still a parish-wide problem. Additionally, the new sidewalk project has started on Main Street in Franklinton.
Sumrall added that mobile home permits have increased from 128 in 2023 to 149 in 2024 while new construction permits remained steady with 103 in 2023 to 106 in 2024. Growth is evident in the parish.
The Animal Shelter has spayed and neutered over 200 canines this year, and the recent Jingle Paws event was a big success. Sumrall ended with a poignant personal message to the retiring Wayne Kuhn and a heartfelt tribute to the late Terry Morgan.
President Seal thanked the concerned citizen group for their professionalism in expressing their views as well as the volunteers reappointed to various parish boards. Seal added that the Speaker of the House spent a positive two days in the parish touring and noting infrastructure needs. President Seal congratulated the Franklinton High School Demons on an outstanding season and lauded the "thin blue line" who stepped in and assisted a shooting victim immediately after the state championship game. He ended by announcing that a blood drive will be held in memory of Terry Morgan on January 9, 2025, at the parish government office.
President Seal and the Council ended the meeting with praise for Wayne Kuhn and his willingness to assist whenever needed, to dispense sound advice, and to always add a joke or humorous anecdote at the very right moment. The humble Mr. Kuhn responded, "You are only as good as the people you work with."
Chairman Joe Culpepper completed his final meeting as Council Chairman and declared serving the past year as "an honor." Amid wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Mr. Kuhn ended his final meeting with a joke. The next meeting will be held on Monday, January 13, 2025.
