The Washington Parish Council met on July 14.
The meeting opened with a public hearing on four ordinances that were adopted by the Council. The first was an ordinance governing the installation and maintenance of drainage culverts on private property. Public Works Director Alex Sumrall explained that the transportation department will evaluate a landowner's property to ensure they are providing the correct size culvert and not impede drainage. The evaluation is free, and parish crews will install the culvert.
The second ordinance amends the permit requirements to perform logging operations in Washington Parish. Sumrall elaborated that it has been years since the parish has increased this fee. Neighboring parishes have significantly increased these charges. The proposed new fees will be 0-40 acres $100; 41-100 acres $250 and 101-over will be $250 plus an additional dollar per acre. The fees will go to the repairs needed to parish roads caused by logging.
The next ordinance authorizes a Debris and Material Removal and Master Cooperative Endeavor Agreement. This concerns spoil material that a landowner may want versus having to haul it back to parish facilities. Such material has no value to the parish.
The final ordinance discussed in the public hearing and later adopted allows the Washington Parish President to enter into a pre-positioned contract for disaster recovery consulting services. Grants Administrator Landon Tims clarified that this will maximize serving the public following a natural disaster by ensuring recovery operations align with FEMA and other governmental agencies.
The Public Meeting was then called to order with a moment of silence observed for the Texas flood victims and lineman Wade Singletary. The minutes from the June 23 regular council meeting were adopted.
The Council then heard a proclamation by Parish President Ryan Seal honoring Carson Painter for Heroic Lifesaving Actions.
The 10-year-old Mt. Hermon resident saved her father's life following an accident on the Bogue Chitto River, as previously reported in The Era-Leader.
Council President Kim Wagner exclaimed, "Carson, you're amazing!"
This was followed by a presentation from Rusty Fornea, ADAPT Executive Director and Rhonda Gunnell Project Director for Project ADAPT which is an addition recovery program. The program is currently funded by the Health Resources and Service Administration and addresses reducing illness and preventing death for OPIOID disorders; treatment access; increasing the community's knowledge; recovery support and services; and reducing the stigma of OPIOID addiction. All the services are free. Gunnell stated, "Healing begins when shame ends. You must meet people where they are. Addiction is giving up everything for one thing and recovery is giving up one thing for everything." The program is making a difference as opioid deaths in Washington Parish are decreasing.
In other Council business an ordinance was introduced to relocate Ward Four, Precinct 4-9 and 4-9A, voting district of Bogalusa. A second ordinance was introduced to amend the amended compiled ordinances of the Washington Parish Alcohol Policy. The final agenda item was the adoption of a Resolution of Appointment of JoBeth Gatewood Valentino to the Florida Parishes Human Services Authority Governing District Board of Directors. The late Dr. Danielle Keys served in this position until her untimely death.
In Public Participation Sheriff Jason Smith gave the latest numbers for the parish jail. There are currently 269 inmates with 21 inmates housed elsewhere. The jail is at 158% capacity. Washington Parish's incarceration capacity ratio (ICR - the number of parish residents per jail bed) is 313 while the state average is 158. Such statistics reinforce the need for a larger jail in the parish, the sheriff said.
Smith added that the Varnado satellite jail is on hold. Because the location is 26 miles and 40 minutes from the Sheriff's Office, it will cost approximately one million dollars per year to run it safely. In other news the Sheriff is working to clean up Special Event permits and their necessity. He finished by sharing his encouragement for the Sheriff's Camp to be held at Pine High School and the impact it will have on area kids.
Concerned Citizens of Angie president Lesley McKinley addressed the Council next. He explained that spending money to fix up a facility in Varnado and the current jail in Franklinton makes no sense. He encourages a new jail and offers for his organization to assist in getting a tax passed for that purpose. He ended with, "Get a plan --- how do we make a new jail a reality? Think logically and be good stewards of taxpayer money."
Three other citizens made comments about tall grass on the sides of roads and questioned the bushhogging schedule as well as mentioning potholes on roads where school buses travel.
In the President's Report, Transportation Manager Danny Knight reported that in the month of June crews completed drainage projects on 23 roads, distributed 72 tons of cold mix and 309 tons of hot mix, installed 41 culverts, graded 19 roads bushhogged 117 roads for 234 miles and picked up 430 bags of litter on 40 roads. As Public Works Director Alex Sumrall reiterated, 10 road signs were ordered and 20 installed on 8 roads. The theft of road signs is becoming a significant problem in the parish. Sumrall added, "And they are not free!"
Sumrall reported that in the past month 87 permits have been issued with 8 of those for mobile homes and 5 for new construction. The asphalt contract with Barriere has been signed and in August the company will start paving 32 parish roads. Sumrall noted that more dead trees are appearing in the parish (likely due to the drought of 2023), and he is working on a contract with a tree company to help remove unsafe trees that would put the parish crews in harm's way. The Clerk of Court Conveyance room is being remodeled with new flooring, painting, LED lighting, and framing up the electronic room. Sealed bids will be accepted for this job once the Scope of Work is finalized. The Courthouse will be getting new outdoor lighting with colors being changed to mark seasons and special events. Maintenance is currently getting quotes on AC mini splits to replace the old system at the Enon Branch of the parish library.
Finally, Sumrall updated the Council that 18 properties have been purchased by the Louisiana Buyout Program in the Bogue Chitto Heights area. These properties are now being cleared and more in the flood zone are expected to be purchased.
Parish President Seal reported that he recently attended the National Association of Counties Conference and discussed common problems rural areas share and the expected impact of President Trump's Big Beautiful Bill. Seal also reported that the recent Love the Boot litter campaign had 26,000 volunteers who gave 81,000 hours to collect 514 tons of litter in the state. Seal also lauded the Bogalusa 4th of July parade, the only one on the Northshore. The Varnado Recreation Area improvements are continuing and Seal vowed that he is not forgetting Varnado and Angie. He added that some of the area's roads will be part of the asphalt project.
In final comments, Councilman Steven Branch remembered Russell Creel, a dairyman for 63 years. He also attended the summer reading program at the library and added, "It is a good thing!"
Kim Wagner announced the Purple Heart Project is coming to the parish. Senator Beth Mizell is leading this effort to recognize anyone in the area awarded a Purple Heart. Those eligible will be recognized on Purple Heart Day on August 7. Wagner and the Council also noted the bravery of Carson Painter. They also expressed their appreciation of the Watermelon Festival.
The Council's next meeting will be held on July 28.
