The Washington Parish Council recently met in the Council Chambers on May 8. After the approval of the minutes dated April 24, 2023, the first item of business was to adopt an ordinance to amend the 2023 Road Capital Outlay Budget.
Next was the reintroduction of two ordinances. The first was an ordinance adding E. Thomas Road, Wilson Magee Road, Knapp Thomas Road, and Leo Mizell Road to the "No Thru Truck Routes" ordinance. The second was the introduction of an ordinance to levy taxes for the 2023 Millage at the same rate as prior year on property subject to taxation in Washington Parish. The ordinances were first introduced at the April 10, 2023, meeting and then adopted at the April 24, 2023, meeting. However, through an oversight there was no public hearing held for the two. Therefore, the public hearing will be held on May 22, 2023, in Council Chambers at 5:45 pm. The Council will then vote to adopt the ordinances at the regular meeting.
The next agenda item was adoption of a resolution ordering and calling a special election to be held on October 14, 2023, for the purpose of authorizing the levy and collection of a 3.15 mill tax on assessed valuation of all property subject to taxation in the Parish for a period of ten years for the purpose of operation and maintenance of the Washington Parish Coroner's Office including creation of a morgue and a community education center focusing on premature deaths.
On hand representing the Coroner's Office was Arthur Richardson, a 25-year volunteer. Mr. Richardson, a nurse, explained that the current Coroner's Office has a transport van, a facility with only room for six deceased people at one time and no place or personnel for conducting autopsies.
The Coroner’s Office currently works with a funeral home in St. Tammany Parish for cremations and autopsies are conducted in Broussard, Louisiana.
District 6 Councilman Reginald McMasters questioned Director of Finance Donna Graham on how much money the millage would generate. She stated it would be approximately $700,000 a year for ten years. However, she also noted that currently the Coroner's Office has a budget of $328,000 per year provided by Parish Government's General Fund. Should the proposed millage pass, the $328,000 would become part of the millage and the Coroner’s Office will be its own entity with no funding from the General Fund.
After further discussion and questions by Councilmen from District 1 Joe Culpepper and District 7 Carley King, it was determined that the Coroner's Office needs a definitive budget plan. The adoption of the resolution was tabled until the next meeting to obtain a projected plan for millage money. With the tabling, the special election will have to be moved to the November run-off. Mr. Richardson vowed to make sure that on May 22 a budget proposal will be available.
The Council then voted to adopt a resolution for the Washington Parish Government to join the Attorney General of Louisiana in litigation against the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to challenge Risk Rating 2.0. Parish Government attorney Wayne Kuhn explained that this is a new rating system FEMA will be using, but the agency has not disclosed the computation system for this. Mr. Kuhn said that the general concern is that this will affect landowners in Louisiana by increasing insurance rates, especially those in flood zones.
The final item of business was adoption of a resolution to accept the lowest bid and to authorize the Parish President to sign a contract between Barriere Construction Company and Parish Government for asphalt overlay on Matthew Thomas Road, Carroll Road, A. Moses Road, Mondy Road, Sphere Road, Dan Seal Road, Mt. Pleasant Road, Cooper Road #2, Russ Williams Road, Knight Road, Schilling Road, J.P. Alford Road, Heidelberg Road, East Heidelberg Road, Legacy Lane and CC Road. Prior to adoption, local citizen Jackie Tate questioned the road choices and the status of other local roads in need of asphalting. Parish President Richard Thomas explained that these roads are for the specific contract with Barriere Construction and the parish will continue to overlay as many gravel roads "in-house" as possible.
Parish President Richard Thomas reported that the National Day of Prayer service held in Franklinton on May 4 had one of the largest turnouts ever. He also congratulated all area graduates. He then explained that May is Motorcycle Safety Month and presented a proclamation to Mr. Bob Walton, the local officer of American Bikers Active Towards Education (A.B.A.T.E.). It read in-part that A.B.A.T.E. is not a club but a non-profit organization dedicated to motorcycle safety, awareness, and realistic motorcycle legislation open to all motorcyclists from all walks of life, riding all types of motorcycles. A.B.A.T.E. constitutes members of the Louisiana State Confederation of Clubs and Motorcycle Riders Foundation which is a national rights organization. It is also affiliated with the American Motorcycle Association and National Coalition of Motorcyclists which make this organization the only state and nationally recognized motorcycle rights organization for the State of Louisiana.
Washington Parish President Thomas proclaimed and confirmed the month of May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month to remind citizens of their responsibilities for safety on all highways, streets, and roads and to always be respectful to riders. Mr. Walton commented that this year's key legislation the organization is lobbying for is hands-free usage of cell phones by drivers. He added that as a motorcycle rider one sees a lot, and drivers distracted by cell phones and other electronic devices is both frightening and concerning.
In other departmental reports, Finance Director Donna Graham informed the board that the auditors for the 2022 financial year are in-house, and she will have a final report at the next meeting. Director of Public Works Ken Wheat will be expediting Barriere and the asphalt work as well as opening bids on the jail capital outlay project. Quality Control Manager Alex Sumrall reported on two projects. The Bogalusa Health Unit will have an open house on May 18 and in preparation the lobby, lab, restrooms, and Head Nurse office have all received a paint job and updating. The Animal Shelter is undergoing a complete remodel and should be done soon. Transportation Manager Danny Knight made his first report in his new position and work by the road crews is continuing seamlessly after the retirement of Donnell Merritt. Council member comments included congratulations to all local graduates and Happy Mother's Day, reminding everyone to take care of their moms on Sunday, May 14.
