The Washington Parish Council met on Monday, February 9. The meeting began late after a Personnel Committee meeting ran forty minutes late attempting to navigate ongoing issues with Fire District #7. Council President Reginald McMasters stepped in at 6:10 pm to end the Personnel meeting and begin the Regular Meeting. This meeting was prefaced with a brief public hearing on an ordinance to amend Ordinance No. 09-486 regarding the condemnation of buildings and structures relating to notice of hearing; to provide for hearings before a hearing officer; and to provide for related matters. This ordinance was adopted by the Council during the Regular Meeting.
Following the call to order, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, the Council approved the minutes of the January 12 Regular Meeting. Parish President Ryan Seal issued a proclamation in recognition of February being Black History Month. Council President Reginald McMasters thanked Seal on behalf of the African American community.
The Council then welcomed Washington Parish Tourism Commission Executive Director Patty Alford, who detailed receiving the Louey Award by the Convention and Visitors Bureau/Tourist's Commission. Alford explained the selection process and listed some of the major events happening in Washington Parish that enhanced the local commission's application process. With a limited budget, the Washington Parish Commission won with a lot of hard work and working for a "bang for our buck." A campaign promoting the "toe of the boot" features "toeriffic people," "toeriffic places and "toeriffic" events. Alford also announced that the Tourism Office is moving to 1041 Main Street and is working to make 2026 the best year yet for the parish.
Next, Suzy Potter from the Blood Center implored the Council to participate and promote local blood drives. With the Mardi Gras holiday the need for blood and platelets is greater as well as a suspension of blood drives for the long weekend.
The Council then efficiently worked through an agenda which included adopting a resolution to authorize the Parish President to sign an Intergovernmental Agreement to provide the 22nd Judicial District Court Drug Court Program in Washington Parish with funding from Opioid Settlement Funds. Director of Finance Lacy Burris explained that the money is part of the budget for the 22nd District. Judges Alan Zaunbrecher and Ellen Creel were present to thank the Council for their funding and commitment to the drug court. Judge Zaunbrecher added that, "Washington Parish does more with less than anywhere I've ever seen." He noted that a staggering 70 percent of cases have some aspects of opioids involved. This makes the funding of drug court essential. He also committed to being "good stewards" of the money under the leadership of Judge Creel.
Judge Ellen Creel introduced a critical member of the team, Chris Russell, and explained that drug court is one of the "best parts of my job." She explained that programs with treatment are proving effective and invited the Council to observe drug court in action. Sheriff Jason Smith agreed that it is uplifting to see people going through the process to control their own lives.
The Council then voted to authorize the Parish President to sign an intergovernmental agreement to provide the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office a one-time disbursement for security cameras. Lacy Burris explained this was also included in the Opioid Settlement funds. The Sheriff reported that the cameras are installed and waiting for the "brain" which has been delayed due to recent weather events.
The Council then adopted a resolution authorizing the signing of the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire as well as a resolution stating the Washington Parish Government is in compliance with the Parish Transportation Fund for the audit for 2025. The final two adoptions included a resolution authorizing the filing of an application with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for a grant under any of the FTA managed programs, and a resolution declaring certain equipment as surplus property and authorizing the Parish President to execute all documents necessary for the trade-in and purchase of a new excavator under state contract.
In Public Participation, Sheriff Jason Smith reported that the jail currently houses 234 inmates with 77 being Department of Corrections prisoners who have yet to be transferred. The absence of these 77 inmates would bring the jail much closer to its actual 144 beds. Smith is expecting quicker movement by the DOC.
Rusty Fornea from ADAPT presented Council members with a calendar featuring artwork by parish students. SAMSHA provided a $750 grant to fund the calendar with 250 entrants. It was noted that Councilman Shawn Rice's daughter was one of the winners. DeAnn Davis from Economic Development gave a brief summary of recent efforts and stressed that the parish must get ready for industry to come to the parish.
In the President's Report Lacy Burris reported that her division is closing out the 2025 financials with the audit to be conducted in April. Public Works Director Alex Sumrall gave the Transportation Report for January, 2026. Among other assignments, crews completed 31 drainage projects, installed three culverts, bushhogged 121 roads for 247 miles, installed 36 signs on 9 roads and picked up 656 bags of litter on 55 roads. The 2026 Bid Package for contracting roads is about 90 percent complete. This will comprise 24-miles of roads with five of them having soil cement due to the volume of traffic and weight-bearing trucks.
The striping program for 2026 will consist of 27.6 miles of parish roads and will include Old Columbia Road, Harvey Road, Seal Road, Lawrence Creek Road, Lee Road, and Tanglewood Road. These were selected on the volume of traffic, safety and the urgency of concerned citizens who have contacted Sumrall and the Transportation Department. Sumrall further explained that the Varnado Recreation Center was sampled for asbestos in the Reception Building which has been vacant for years. Results will determine the plan moving forward with this building.
Pravada Fence Company was awarded and will be installing the additional razor wire at the jail. Sheriff Smith requested a more secure enclosure for inmates and safety of citizens. Sumrall reported that Metro Mechanical has been contracted to perform maintenance on the courthouse and Sheriff's office HVAC systems. He expects $6,486 savings on annual maintenance. The permit office has recently created a website that is more user friendly for obtaining building permits. Tommy Thiebaud and Ashley Sumrall have worked hard on this to assist citizens.
President Ryan Seal began his report by expressing is appreciation for the drug court stating, "It is a blessing…changing lives." He added that parish government is guarding the opioid money with an iron fist as it is a one-time disbursement and he intends to spend it wisely.
Seal explained that he has issued a burn ban after 14 brush fires in the past 72 hours in the parish. He also congratulated the Tourism Commission, the Balloon Festival, and the Krewe of Odysseus on their recent accomplishments. Seal also reported movement on the Hwy 60 bridge just inside the Bogalusa city limits. He finished his report with condolences to the families of Billy Wayne Rester and Randy Reviere. Councilman Steven Branch also noted the passing of two educators in the parish, Rhonda Crawford and Patrick Williamson.
The next Council meeting will be held on February 23.
