The Washington Parish Council held its most recent meeting on Monday, June 9. The invocation was preceded by a moment of silence in memory of Rev. Frederick Brumfield who passed away on June 6 following a lengthy illness. The first item on the agenda was the approval of minutes for the meeting on May 19
First, the Council heard an informational presentation by Rusty Fornea about ADAPT (All Deserve Advocacy, Prevention and Treatment) and more specifically the organization's Rape Crisis Center. ADAPT was created 35 years ago by Charlotte Fornea. The Rape Crisis Center is no cost to victims and helps them become survivors. There are only two Tier 3 nationally accredited sexual assault/rape crisis and child advocacy centers in Louisiana and Washington Parish's program is one. ADAPT provides law enforcement advocacy, counseling, prevention, community outreach and engagement and referrals. More information is available at adaptwp.org.
Fornea was followed by an enthusiastic Dana Walker who explained the purpose of her organization Brilliant Mindz. The program serves Washington Parish and provides a myriad of programs from ACT preparation, summer camps, college tours, tutoring, and hurricane preparedness to name only a few. Walker is especially proud of the Cribs for Kids program that promotes infant safe sleep and SIDS education. Brilliant Mindz can be best described as a program that teaches teens to become productive citizens through community service.
In other business, an ordinance was introduced to amend the 2025 Annual Operating Budget. A public hearing will be held on this matter on June 23, 2025, before the Council's regular meeting. Director of Finance Donna Graham explained during the President's Report that the amendment of the budget is due to sales tax revenues being not quite what was projected and there has been additional money from the state to allow for as well as a cash payout for the road fund. Amending the budget is not an uncommon occurrence, she noted.
Next, the Council adopted a resolution authorizing the advertisement and sale of property owned by the Washington Parish Government. \
According to Mrs. Graham, this concerns 28+ acre parcel of land located in Washington Parish. It was formerly Breedlove Farm and was funded by a USDA revolving loan program. Upon default of the loan the parish took ownership, and this is the final parcel of property.
The Council was then set to adopt a resolution approving the Waiver of Repayment for a revolving loan from a USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) administered by Washington Parish Government. Mrs. Graham asked to table the item as there is a need for further information from the USDA on how to proceed.
The final item of business by the Council was the adoption of resolutions appointing members to the Washington Parish Fire District #7 Board of Directors. Tyler Pigott will replace Dana Magee, Devin Castleberry will replace Brett Creel, and Matthew Penny was also appointed. The terms for each will be effective immediately and expire on December 31, 2025.
During the President's Report, Mrs. Graham welcomed Lacy Burris who will replace Graham following her retirement on June 30. Graham feels, "The parish is in good hands." She also reported that the annual audit is wrapping up and the exit conference will be held next week. Graham also expressed concern that the legislature is debating a bill that will remove some items from the sales tax list. Her fear is that this could result in a potential 12 percent reduction in tax money which will have a huge impact on the parish government funds. She suggested contacting legislators to share questions and concerns. Finally, she said that The Era-Leader has once again been named the official journal of Washington Parish Government.
Director of Public Works Alex Sumrall gave the parish's transportation department's statistics for the month of May 2025. Along with other tasks, crews completed drainage projects on 30 roads, distributed 90 tons of cold mix and 70 tons of hot mix for a total of 70 miles. 23 culverts were installed, 30 roads were graded, 147 roads were bush hogged for 270 miles and 549 bags of litter were collected on 50 roads. 8 new road name signs were ordered, 21 other signs were installed, and 10 locations were cleaned and cut. Crews also sprayed around 7 parish bridges.
Earlier in June, elevator inspections were conducted at the courthouse, jail and the parish government administration building. All passed inspection. The air duct in the jail that an inmate tried to escape through has been secured and aluminum placed over the hole.
A pre-bid meeting was held on Thursday, June 5, 2025, for the 2025 Asphalt Overlay project. Bids will be opened on Tuesday, June 17 at 2:00 pm in the parish government's conference room.
The Conveyance Department in the Clerk of Court's office will soon be under construction with a new ceiling, flooring, LED lighting, and painting to match the Mortgage Department.
Sumrall also gave May 2025 numbers for the Permit Office. Six Certificates of Occupancy were issued, 15 New Construction permits issued, 10 mobile home permits issued, and inspections totaled 406.
President Ryan Seal also welcomed Lacy Burris to the parish government family. He then expressed that the new communication center opening recently took place and "is a wonderful thing for citizens."
Seal also congratulated recent award recipients Charlie Weintrit, National Association of Independent Businesses; Tiffany Carney, Bogalusa Rotary Club for increased membership; and a proclamation for Mary Boleware, a 47-year educator. He also reminded everyone that hurricane season has begun and urges folks to be hurricane ready. The parish government offices will be closed on June 19 for Juneteenth, but the landfill will be open. In final comments Steven Branch reminded that June is Dairy Month.
The next meeting will be held on June 23
