The Washington Parish Council met on Monday, August 10 The meeting began with the approval of minutes for the July 27 Regular Council Meeting. This was followed by the annual audit report summary presented by Michelle Trueschwig from Kushner LaGraize.
Trueschwig began by noting that the audit was completed seven days early and submitted to the Legislative Auditor and the audit is posted on the website. It is also available on the Federal Auditor Clearinghouse site. There were no findings noted on the Internal Control portion of the audit and the parish currently has 6.5 million in capital assets. The Governmental Fund has 1.2 million compared to 1.1 million in the prior year. Revenue has fallen due to less sales tax. In the Louisiana Procedures portion, the auditor noted two procedural problems with Sexual Harassment Law and the Ethics Law. Lacy Burris explained that this is related to having certificates of completion of these trainings on file for every employee. This was noted and corrected by the Parish President. In all, the audit results were positive.
Theo Jones, Candidate for 22nd Judicial District Court - Division G, introduced himself to the Council and gave his credentials along with why he wants to be elected judge. A Washington Parish native and graduate of Franklinton High School, Jones feels strongly that currently out of 12 judges the 22nd District, only one lives in Washington Parish. He feels strongly that local residents are represented in the JDC. Jones graduated from LSU and joined the US Army. Following that he obtained his law degree from Southern University. He has been a practicing attorney since and has criminal and civil experience and worked in East Baton Rouge as a public defender.
Next, President Ryan Seal recognized Archie McGowan who is retiring after 29 years of services to parish government. He thanked Mr. McGowan for his commitment, hard work and dedication and for being not only a great employee but a servant of the Lord.
Moving into Council business, an ordinance was introduced to amend the 2026 Annual Operating Budget for the Washington Parish Government. A public hearing on this will be held at the next meeting on August 24 at 5:30 pm. The Council then adopted a resolution appointing George Martinez to the Washington Parish Gas Utility District No. 2 Board of Directors. Martinez's term will expire on December 31, 2031.
After discussion with Finance Director Lacy Burris, the Council tabled a resolution accepting the lowest responsible and responsive bid for the purchase of resuscitation equipment for Washington Parish Fire Protection Districts No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, Bogalusa Fire Department and Franklinton Fire Department, utilizing Opioid Settlement Funds. Mrs. Burris explained that this process is not quite ready for Council approval.
The Council adopted a resolution authorizing the retention of special legal counsel to represent Washington Parish Government in connection with claims arising from the August 22, 2025, Smitty's Supply explosion in Tangipahoa Parish, including participation in any class action or required litigation, for the recovery of costs incurred by Washington Parish Government. Mrs. Burris explained that following the explosion, the parish spent approximately $60,000 on environmental testing for the parish and hopes to recoup some of these funds.
The final item of business was the adoption of a resolution authorizing` the Parish President to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Southeast Louisiana Pregnancy Center for Women and Children, for the reimbursement of eighty percent of the eligible cost of a maternal substance abuse disorder initiative using Opioid Litigation proceeds. Lacy Burris explained that the Center wishes to hire a counselor for at-risk women, provide trainings, and purchase some technology.
In public participation, Sheriff Jason Smith gave an update on the parish jail. The jail is currently 120 inmates over capacity with the vast majority being Department of Corrections (83) and Probation/Parole holds (36). The Sheriff has met twice with the design team for the new parish jail and wants a design that encourages a culture of responsibility and accountability and not just authority.
On a different note, the Sheriff is meeting with Washington Parish School Superintendent Jennifer Thomas to make sure that in the unfortunate critical event, a plan is in place for the responding Sheriff’s Office. All schools will rehearse these plans so that everyone knows his or her responsibility.
D'Ann Davis from Economic Development Foundation gave a quick update on things happening in the parish to encourage growth. Work is continuing on Franklinton's Fast Sites prep in the industrial park. Ms. Davis is also willing to work with small businesses to enhance their presence.
Andy Jones spoke briefly about his opposition to solar farms and reiterated that, "Anything that significantly impacts the area has to come through the Council."
In the President's Report, Public Works Director Alex Sumrall reported that in-house asphalt crews completed Byron Dillon, Otis Bickham, and Jim Simmons roads this past week and have moved to the Meadows Subdivision. Streets to be asphalted include Finch, Skylark, Pelican, Eagle, Sandpiper, Lovebird, and Bluebird. That will be over 11 roads that have been paved in-house this year.
Sumrall added, "This is such as asset to our parish to have this paver and most importantly to have a great group of men who pride themselves in making Washington Parish better each day. I'm proud of our asphalt guys."
Sumrall also reported that Joe Passman, Zack Magee, and Homer Kemp roads were completed last week by Barriere, which also cut soil cement for a base on Turkey Road as well as working on Twin Oaks and Dani K Lane. Once done they will report to the Meadows to resurface Nightengale Lane where both crews could possibly be asphalting at the same time.
He added, "Together with contract and in-house that is 40 roads and 32 miles!! That is progress!"
The Cleve Kennedy Bridge project will go out for bid next month. DOTD will provide detours and signage which will encompass Perry Erwin Road and Hwy 424.
Code Enforcer Kelvin Brown reported that in the month of July, crews completed 23 drainage projects, installed 9 culverts, graded 17 roads, bushhogged 105 roads for 207 miles, collected 336 bags of litter on 51 roads, installed 43 signs on 21 roads and maintained 13 parish locations. Crews also paved 9.5 miles of roadway.
The permit office is being kept busy with issuing seven residential construction permits, 13 mobile home permits, and a total of 169 permits.
Parish President Ryan Seal praised the efforts of Finance Director Lacy Burris with the outstanding audit results. He also expressed his appreciation of those workers putting down asphalt in the current heat.
He also expressed his displeasure of 336 bags of litter on parish roads as well as the stealing of road signs. Not only does this cost the parish taxpayers, but it is also a hazard. Seal hopes that parents who have children bringing home road signs will step in and put a stop to it.
He also announced that the parish has received an $8,000 grant from Keep Louisiana Beautiful and that crews are working at the emergency preparedness site to outfit an area for campers during the event of a weather or other emergency. Seal appreciates all the parish government employees.
The Office of Louisiana Highway Construction (OLHC) is planning to remove and replace the bridge on Hwy. 1055 at the Silver Creek Relief Crossing. The road closure date was originally scheduled for September; however, the parish was notified that the date has been moved up beginning Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2026. The program manager for DDG states that it will be closed through Feb. 18, 2027, for construction crews to perform bridge replacement operations (weather permitting). G. T. Patterson Road will be utilized as a detour. It is the parish's understanding from DDG that the road closure notification has been submitted through La. DOTD, and they will be posting the notification. A road closure sign will be posted a minimum of 7 days prior to the date of the closure.
Citizens may recall that Washington Parish has three bridges being reconstructed, as part of the OLHC project. Gov. Landry was in Washington Parish on January 21 for the closing of the Hwy. 424 bridge. Hwy. 1071 is their last bridge.
Council President Reginald McMasters thanked all those in attendance. The next meeting will be held on August 24, 2026.
