The Washington Parish Council met on Monday, May 18. Following a public hearing on two proposed ordinances, the Council decided on the appeal filed by residents of Austin Varnado Road to negate a conditional use permit grant by the Washington Parish Planning Commission to allow a cell tower to be constructed.
For the past three Council meetings residents have attended meetings and asked the Council to grant their appeal. Cameron Lee with Diamond Communications LLC appeared via ZOOM to reiterate that Diamond had met all the conditions of the permit application and asked that the Council decide based on facts and not emotions. Council attorney Matt Garver also noted that the company had filed a completed application and met all the conditions listed but the Council has the final say to approve, deny or approve with conditions.
Following a motion to approve the tower, the Council then voted 4-to-3 to deny the company the permit. Council President Reginald McMasters had the final word as he explained that as a citizen of the parish, he is most concerned about the quality of life, and this tower construction would be stepping on that for residents. He also stated that he hopes Diamond Communication can find an area for a tower that does not affect any residents' quality of life.
In other business, Parish President Ryan Seal issued a proclamation declaring American Public Works Association Public Work Week in Washington Parish. The parish's workers put a great deal of effort and pride into maintaining infrastructure and President Seal said he is "real proud" of all who work in that department.
The Council then adopted several ordinances. First was an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 19-649, Adjusting Commercial Customer Fees at the Choctaw Road Landfill. Director of Finance Lacy Burris explained that effective July 1, the minimum tipping fee for commercial customers shall increase from $20 to $25. This increase reflects rate increases in neighboring parishes as well as inflation with such adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index.
Next, the Council adopted an ordinance to levy taxes for 2026 -millage at the same rate as prior year --- on property subject to taxation in Washington Parish. Burris added that this is not a reassessment year and will be at the same rates as last year.
A resolution was then adopted entering into an agreement with Capital Area Finance Authority.
Mrs. Burris explained that the local housing agency can provide forgivable grants for homebuyers and this allows the agency to offer this.
In other business a resolution was adopted granting approval to Washington Parish Fire Protection District Number 2, State of Louisiana, to call and hold a special election on November 3, 2026, to authorize the renewal of the levy and collection of an eight (8) mill tax on assessed valuation of all property subject to taxation in the district, for a period of ten years for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, improving, maintaining and/or operating fire protection facilities and equipment for the district and paying the cost of obtaining water for fire protection purposes. This is a renewal tax, and the Council's adoption is a formality to place it on the ballot.
Another resolution was adopted to declare surplus and/or scrap movable property and authorization to dispose of same. Mrs. Burris explained that a few items have been added to the list including a paver that has been replaced with a more advanced and efficient model.
The final act of the night was adopting a resolution to authorize the Parish President to sign an agreement between Meyer Engineers, LTD. and Washington Parish Government to provide engineering services for sidewalk construction (Segment A2) in Franklinton. This new sidewalk will be located on the eastern side of Main Street to Bene Street, up Bene Street to 11th Avenue and around the campus of Franklinton Junior High School.
In Public Participation, Deann Davis from the Washington Parish Economic Development Foundation gave an update on work being done to attract business and industry to the parish. Among several notable items was the creation of an Industrial Development Board. Ms. Davis is excited about all the things going on in the parish and is especially eager for the reopening of Silver Creek Campground in Mt. Hermon on June 6. A firm from Atlanta has embraced the community and has made upgrades and hired quite a few locals to work at the campground.
Abigail Kemp from the Friends of the Washington Parish Library was on hand to detail the annual summer reading program and urge everyone, including adults, to sign up and start reading.
Jackie Tate spoke on behalf of the community to encourage the Council to pursue building a Washington Parish Municipal Auditorium. She cited the necessity for the past few years for at least one school in the parish to have to move graduation exercises indoors due to rain. This means a school gymnasium where limited guests can attend or the rodeo arena at the fairgrounds. She added, "We must build something for our children." She also expressed concern for students walking from Franklinton High School along the edge of Hwy 436/Greenlaw Avenue. There is currently no shoulder on the roadway, and she and others are very worried about this safety issue.
In the President's Report, Finance Director Lacy Burris gave a brief explanation of the year-to-date report that she provided each Council member. The parish is one third of the way through the year. She added that while revenue is behind previous years, expenses are as well. She also reported that auditors were in the office the prior week and there should be an audit report by the end of next month.
Transportation Manager Danny Knight reported that thus far in May, 17 signs have been installed on 11 roads, five locations have been cleaned and cut, 259 bags of litter have been picked up on 19 parish roads. Crews have completed in-house asphalt overlays of Cutrer Lane, Jerry McGehee road, McMillan Road, and Willie Stafford road totaling 622 tons of asphalt. This was all completed with the department's new Caterpillar paver.
President Ryan Seal noted that he attended several graduations and all were inspiring. He is impressed by the young people's energy, enthusiasm, and optimism. He reported that Jordan's Way Facebook fundraiser for the animal shelter raised $15,000 and is still accepting donations. He also listed various Memorial Day programs and reminded everyone that the Washington Parish Ballon Festival will be May 29 through June 1. Finally, he congratulated William “Billy” Burris on his election to the Louisiana Supreme Court.
In final comments, Steven Branch expressed condolences to the family of Marguerite Lipani, longtime nurse at the Health Unit and community volunteer. He also commended First Baptist Church Play School in its 50th year of nurturing and educating children. Kim Wagner expressed her desire to have an auditorium and vowed that the Council will continue to work on that. She wished everyone a safe Memorial Day as did President McMasters, whose father was killed in service in Vietnam in 1966. He added that the Council and parish staff are lifting up the family of Ken Allen who recently passed away. Ken's wife Brenda is a beloved employee of parish government.
The next meeting will be held on June 1, 2026.
