The Regular Meeting of the Washington Parish Council was held on Monday, November 17.
Following the approval of minutes from the November 3 meeting, the Council introduced an ordinance to adopt the 2025 Annual Operating Budget and the Capital Outlay Budget for the Washington Parish Government. Next was the introduction of an ordinance to authorize the levy and collection of a special tax of (I) 3.11 Mills, (II) 1.03 Mills, (III) 4.13 Mills, and (IV) 4.6 Mills (collectively, the "Taxes") on the dollar of assessed valuation of all the property within the limits of Washington Parish, each for a period of ten years, beginning with the year 2027 and ending with the year 2036. Such taxes having been authorized to be imposed, levied and collected at a Special Election held on October 11, 2025. A public hearing will be held on the ordinances on Monday, December 1 and the Council will then vote.
The Council then adopted a resolution authorizing the Washington Parish Government to apply for and administer grants through the Louisiana Governor's Assistance Program (LGAP) and the Community Water Enrichment Fund (CWEF). Finance Director Lacy Burris explained that LGAP is for renovations and next on the list is the Assessor's Office and older areas of the parish's properties while CWEF is used in partnership with Varnado Water Works.
Next, a resolution was adopted authorizing Washington Parish Government to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Louisiana State Department of the Treasury. Mrs. Burris explained that Senator Beth Mizell worked with the parish to secure funding for two dump trucks and trailers and this CEA is necessary to complete the purchases.
A third resolution was adopted to submit to the Federal Off-System Bridge Replacement Program priority list for 2026-2027 regarding the 14th street bridge in Franklinton. Public Works Director Alex Sumrall explained that this funding is received every two years, and the parish must select a bridge.
The bridge is 65 years old and it definitely needs to be replaced, Sumrall said.
He said that if funding becomes available, it could still be a year before construction begins on a new bridge. Sumrall said a new bridge could be built in a matter of a few months, and meanwhile the available nearby detours would reduce any inconvenience to motorists.
Parish Councilman Reginald McMasters, who is also the Superintendent of Public Works for the Town of Franklinton, was pleased that this bridge was selected and added that it is also a hurricane evacuation route and the bridge needs to be replaced.
Councilman Reginald McMasters, who is also the Superintendent of Public Works for the Town of Franklinton, was pleased that this bridge was selected and added that it is also a hurricane evacuation route and the bridge needs to be replaced.
(Editor’s note: This is great news. Replacing this bridge has been discussed for years. Anyone unfamiliar with it should go take a look. The flimsy old bridge is located on 14th Avenue between Bickham and Varnado streets, near Holy Family Catholic Church.)
The final adopted resolution of the night provides for canvassing the returns and declaring the results of the Special Election held on October 11, 2025, and to promulgate the results. Lacy Burris stated, "We accept the vote count from the Secretary of State which renewed existing taxes to fund the parish's library, health units, Courthouse and roads."
In the President's report, Lacy Burris provided copies of the budget to all Council members. It was advertised on November 19 and following a public hearing at the next meeting, it will be voted on.
Alex Sumrall gave the transportation report for the first two weeks of November. Crews installed 11 signs on 8 roads, cut and cleaned 3 locations, and picked up 302 bags of litter of 40 roads. In other business, Sumrall reported that Crowder Gulf has been selected for debris removal and Thompson Consulting Services for debris monitoring. These two companies stood out against other applicants and have a history of working together on projects. Sumrall feels that they will provide the quality of services that Washington Parish deserves in the event of a hurricane or other severe weather event. He hopes we will not have reason to use them, but they will be the best for the parish.
DOTD has selected Crescent Engineering and Mapping as the consulting firm for the Old Columbia Road Bridge over Jamieson Creek. There will be a plan-in-hand meeting on site in the next few weeks to go over the project.
Other projects include the overhaul of the AC unit at the Franklinton Health Unit by Hughes Mechanical, and maintenance staffers Tom Comeaux and Andy Guy have been replacing the walkway ramp with new boards to make this a safer and more stable ramp for library users. The permit office has issued 1802 permits thus far in 2025.
Finally, Sumrall announced that the annual Memory Tree Ceremony will be in the front of the Courthouse on December 5 at 6:00 pm.
Parish President Ryan Seal noted that the permit office is doing a wonderful job and there are a lot of nice quality homes going up in the parish, which brings optimism and hope. He also lauded crews who fixed the Spring Valley Road Bridge in short order and at half the cost and time. He referred to the two dump trucks and other equipment the parish is waiting on and assured citizens that equipment is being updated regularly and staff is working to get "a bang for the taxpayer's buck."
President Seal recently attended the Parish President Association meeting and he noted that as usual he learned a great deal.
He is disappointed in the slow progress on the Hwy 60 bridge in Bogalusa and that it is not slated to be repaired until 2027. This is a major roadway, and he wants it back in service as soon as possible. He reported that the DOTD is receptive, and he is hoping for movement on the project soon.
The President announced that Landon Tims, who oversaw grants, has taken a new position. Bobbie Jo Breland, a grant writer in addition to being Parish Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, has agreed to expand her role to help with grants. Seal is pleased she has accepted this challenge.
Seal noted that the Veterans Day programs were all very well done and encouraged residents to visit the Veterans Memorial Park on Hwy 10 to see the towers made by Grand Isle Shipyard in Franklinton. His final comments were a warning to deer hunters to secure their empty corn bags before traveling parish roads and a note of the impressive students who vied for Student of the Year. He is encouraged by the promising young people in the parish.
Parish Council members wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and encouraged participation in the Toys for Tots program for Christmas. All donations with this organization stay here in the parish. The next meeting will be held on December 1.
