Four rural water systems will receive community water grants for improvements to their equipment following a unanimous vote by Webster Parish Police Jury members Tuesday.
Jury President Jim Bonsall said Salt Works water system will receive $35,000 to construct a four-inch water line to connect to the town of Sibley, Jenkins water system will get $25,000 to replace water meters, install backflow preventers and install new service tubing.
Union Grove water system will be able to replace old water service mains for William Brown Road at a cost of $25,000 and the Cypress water system will receive a first-ever grant of $27,605 to install new water meters for its approximately 275 customers.
“It’s good to be able to help our rural water systems get what they need to operate efficiently,” Bonsall said.
Recreation funding was approved in two districts, with the village of Heflin and town of Sibley on the receiving end in district 11. A cost has yet to be determined for Heflin’s repairs at town hall, and the cost of the annual clean-up day in Sibley, scheduled for April 11, is pending. In district 9, $900 for improvements at the Allen Drive fire station was approved.
Jury members learned the governor will appoint a justice of the peace to serve in district 1 after no candidate filed for the position in two separate elections. Attorney Patrick Jackson told the members they could submit names for the appointment.
During Tuesday’s meeting, jury members also approved invoices for payment, ratified emergency declarations for closing the parish courthouse Feb. 23, 24 and 25 due to weather conditions, and approved the Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire that verifies correct information for the jury’s audit.