Catahoula Parish Police Jury President Harold Sones began the October 23rd meeting by announcing that the jury is sitting as a tax review board for 2023 listing all real and personal property certified by the Catahoula Parish Tax Assessor.
The Louisiana Police Jury Association passed SB201 Modification of Open Meetings Law. This is for persons with disabilities recognized by the ADA to participate in its meetings via teleconference. Secretary- Treasurer Stacy Lefebvre stated that she is currently waiting on email responses from other parishes to see how they are going to follow through with the bill. She also stated that no one has a set plan at this time. It is a collective effort to see what avenue will work best to serve the bill.
Juror Johnnie Adams said that he believed the jury would have to develop a policy for it. He stated, “All public forums have to set a policy in place, even the school board.”
The jury approved to advertise for bids for supplies and materials for January 2024 to December 2024. Examples of the materials and/or supplies include but are not limited to hydraulic oil, cold mix, culverts, limestone, gravel, and diesel.
A code of Federal Regulations Resolution for DOTD bridge program was adopted. This allows DOTD to inspect bridges within the parish. There was one deletion to the additions and deletions to selective maintenance it was Wild Wood Road. The jury is currently waiting for a contract to be delivered so that President Sones and Vice President Jerel Evans may sign it for a new roof to be put onto the Jonesville Hospital.
Jury member Ricky Crumpton gave the jury an update on the Jonesville Health Unit. The interior of the health unit is currently being painted. A bid needs to be resubmitted for the jury’s approval to wax floors. The front lobby floors will be inspected for needed repairs. Floors have been damaged due to water leaking from the roof. This could be caused from the roof or a clogged gutter system.
Director of Homeland Security, Ellis Boothe, updated the jury on the statewide fire burn ban. Some controlled burns are allowed. Farmers are allowed to burn off crop residue or to help control the disease of pests. Boothe stated it is best to notify the fire department before the burn so that they may be on standby. Land clearing debris on residential property is prohibited from burning. The parish is still at a D4 level as we have been for a month.
Mr. Bruce Mott addressed the jury concerning his road and asked what plan was in place to make repairs. Ward 6 Juror Johnie Carol Estes stated that she had turned in a work request to have his road repaired. Estes informed Mott that she and Barn Superintendent Buck Atkins would ride to assess Crook’s Road. Estes emphasized to Mott the jury members do not know about issues in their wards unless the residents reach out to them with their concerns.
President Sones reported that the Catahoula Parish Police Jury office and the Maintenance Barn will be closed Friday, November 10th in observance of Veteran’s Day. With no announcements from jury members the meeting was adjourned.