The Minden City Council moved forward with infrastructure improvements, approved new zoning restrictions and welcomed three new public safety employees during its regular meeting Monday, November 2. Council members also heard updates on city finances and the possibility of lower homeowners insurance costs for Minden residents.
After approving minutes from the previous month’s meetings, the council turned its attention to adjustments to the city’s 2026-27 budget. The amendments accounted for changes in revenue, personnel expenses, and projects carried over from the previous fiscal year.
Among the adjustments were $636,330 for street overlay work, $78,029 for Industrial Drive improvements, and $165,710 for water main improvements. The changes also included transfers between city funds to accommodate ongoing operations and previously approved projects.
Much of the evening’s business centered on Minden’s infrastructure, including two resolutions involving the Robertson Lift Station.
The council ratified an agreement Mayor Nick Cox had entered into with the state for planning and construction improvements at the lift station, part of the city’s wastewater collection system.
A separate resolution authorized Cox to enter into an agreement to accept $125,000 in state funding to purchase a generator for the facility.
While those measures moved through the council without opposition, an ordinance regulating sexually oriented businesses prompted a more detailed discussion.
The ordinance limits such businesses to areas zoned B-4 Highway Commercial and establishes 1,500-foot separation requirements from schools, places of worship, licensed day care centers, residential areas, and other protected locations. It also restricts exterior appearances and signage.
Councilman Carlton “Buddy” Myles questioned whether the city had done enough research before bringing the ordinance forward for approval.
Myles raised concerns about whether council members understood which properties would remain eligible under the restrictions. He called for additional review, including a map showing how the separation requirements would affect potential locations.
Other council members acknowledged those concerns but argued that adopting restrictions would give the city protections it could amend later.
The ordinance passed following the discussion.
The council then approved retaining attorney Benjamin Gaines of Gachassin Gaines LLC to assist with matters involving Minden Medical Center. Gaines will serve as outside counsel under the supervision of the city attorney.
Another item brought welcome news for the city’s technology infrastructure.
Minden received two cybersecurity grant awards totaling $235,858 through the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness: $139,350 from the fiscal 2023 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program and $96,508 from the fiscal 2024 program.
The city’s IT director told council members he began pursuing the funding about eight months ago after recognizing that aging equipment would need replacing.
He explained that the 2023 program reimburses 80% of eligible costs, while the 2024 program covers 70%. Although the applications had been approved, he said the city was awaiting the release of federal funding to the state. The city would pay for eligible purchases upfront and then seek reimbursement.
Cox praised the effort and the IT department’s work keeping municipal operations running.
“You think the mayor runs the city, you have to check out IT, because they really keep it all going,” Cox said.
The council unanimously authorized agreements to accept the funding.
Attention then shifted back to infrastructure as council members authorized the city to advertise for bids for the Marshall Street Water Improvement Project.
The project has a $250,290 state appropriation and will address water infrastructure along Marshall Street from Fourth Street to Goodwill Road. Officials said they hoped to extend the work from Goodwill Road to High Street if bid prices and available funding allow.
Construction must be completed by June 30, 2027.
The meeting also brought three new faces into Minden’s public safety departments.
Jon Gaskins and Jeremiah Carroll were approved as full-time officers with the Minden Police Department, while Mason Lewis was approved as a full-time firefighter with the Minden Fire Department. All three appointments are subject to passing applicable tests.
The hires received unanimous approval, and council members welcomed them to their new positions.
The city’s financial report offered another positive development, with City Clerk Melaney Sanders reporting an increase in sales tax collections.
Collections for August 2026 totaled $746,782, excluding the tax increment financing district, compared with $689,558 in August 2025. That represents an increase of $57,224, or about 8.3%.
Fire Chief Brian Williams followed with the department’s annual report, providing a look at firefighters’ work from November 2025 through October 2026.
The department responded to 381 emergency calls and handled 77 nonemergency calls. Firefighters also participated in 40 training drills.
Paid personnel logged about 4,832 training hours, while volunteers contributed another 454 hours. The department also reached about 2,400 students through fire prevention programs and distributed more than 130 smoke alarms.
Another encouraging part of Williams’ report involved the city’s fire protection rating.
Williams told council members that Minden could improve from a Class 3 to a Class 2 rating through the Property Insurance Association of Louisiana. The final rating was expected by the end of November.
The department has worked to address deficiencies identified during its previous evaluation, including training documentation, equipment availability and coordination with neighboring fire districts.
Williams said many of the changes had come at little or no additional cost to the city. An improved rating could help residents save on homeowners insurance, although any savings would depend on their insurers and policies.
The council accepted the annual fire report. Williams also reminded residents that a burn ban remained in effect for Minden and Webster Parish.
Following approval of the police department’s September report, Police Chief Jared McIver thanked officers and residents for helping make Halloween weekend a success. He also expressed appreciation for the council’s approval of the department’s two newest officers.
The evening then turned to Minden’s history as the city received a commendation from Gov. Jeff Landry recognizing its 190th anniversary.
A representative of the governor’s office presented the commendation, which recognized Minden’s founding in 1836 and its development as a center of commerce, education and community life. It also highlighted residents’ resilience through generations of challenges.
Cox accepted the recognition on behalf of the city, reflecting on the generations who helped build Minden and those who will carry it forward.
“It’s an honor to be able to serve this great city,” Cox said.
Before adjourning, officials reminded residents of upcoming community events, including the Wings and Wheels Fly-In on November 14 at the Minden Airport and the beginning of Christmas in Minden festivities November 20.
Council members congratulated the newly hired officers and firefighter, thanked city employees for preparing downtown for the holiday season, and encouraged residents to vote in the November 3 election.
Minden City Council meetings are held on the first Monday of each month at 6 PM at the Minden Civic Center. Meetings are open to the public and, for those who cannot attend in person, are also livestreamed on the City of Minden’s Facebook page and YouTube channel, both titled “City of Minden.”