The Webster Parish Police Jury held its regular monthly meeting Tuesday, June 3, approving all agenda items unanimously and with the absence of Jurors Beverly Kennon of District 9 and Daniel Thomas of District 3.
A public hearing was held to consider the adoption of a local hospital assessment ordinance. There were no public comments during the hearing. Nicole Frey, an attorney with Breazeale Sachse and Wilson LLP, addressed the jury on behalf of Minden Medical Center. She explained that both Minden Medical Center and Springhill Medical Center support the measure.
“It will allow Webster Parish to participate in the local provider participation program,” Frey said. “The state has maxed out all their other avenues for funding the state share of the Medicaid program. This local tax revenue will support that measure in the same way, but it pulls down federal Medicaid dollars.” She added, “This program would go a long way toward bringing more money to your hospitals to pay for surgeries such as knee replacement or hip replacement for your Medicaid covered individuals.”
Following the hearing, the jury approved the adoption of Local Hospital Tax Assessment Ordinance 1024 for Webster Parish.
Other business included approval of invoices for payment pending review by Juror Randy Thomas on Monday, June 9, and adoption of the minutes from the May 6 Road Committee, Finance Committee, and regular meetings.
Jurors also voted to adopt the 2025 millage rates for the parish and approved Resolution 003-2025, which maintains the same roll forward as in prior years. Additionally, the jury designated the Minden Press-Herald as the Official Journal and the Springhill Press and News Journal as the Publication Journal for the period of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
During the committee reports, Johnnye Kennon of the Webster Parish Convention and Visitors Commission announced upcoming events including the KTBS Community Caravan next week, Bites & Beats each third Thursday through October at Miller Quarters Park, Grilling on Main on June 13-14, the JJ Sneed football camp on June 20, and the JJ Sneed car show at the REC on June 21.
Brian Williams with the Office of Homeland Security reported that the 121st Airborne will soon return for training maneuvers at the Minden Airport. He also shared plans to install a new weather station on the courthouse.
Webster Parish 911 Director Angie Chapman reported an increase in emergency calls, particularly hangups and open-line calls. “If we can’t reach someone on those calls, we have to send a law enforcement officer out to make sure there is not an emergency, and it’s a tremendous waste of resources,” Chapman said. She urged the public to prevent inadvertent calls and ensure children are not playing with phones.
The Webster Parish Police Jury meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 10:30 AM in the Webster Parish Courthouse Annex at 401 Main Street, West Entrance, in Minden. Meetings are open to the public.