The Webster Parish Police Jury unanimously approved all agenda items during its regular meeting Tuesday, January 6, largely addressing annual administrative matters.
Jim Bonsall was re-elected president and Steve Ramsey was re-elected vice president at the start of the meeting. Juror Daniel Thomas was the only member absent.
The jury approved the appointment of Lisa C. Balkom as secretary-treasurer and Alicia Owens as assistant secretary-treasurer for a two-year term, along with Resolution 001-2026 establishing signature authority for the president, secretary-treasurer and assistant secretary-treasurer.
Members also set the 2026 schedule for regular meetings in the Webster Parish Courthouse Annex. Because the November 3 meeting date coincides with Election Day and the annex serves as a polling location, the November meeting will be held Wednesday, November 4.
The jury approved the proposed 2026 budget and an amended 2025 budget for the North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory Commission, as well as the parish’s 2026 budget with end-of-year amendments and carried-forward figures from 2025.
A temporary polling location change for the June 27 election was approved under Resolution 003-2026. The Louisiana secretary of state adjusted the election schedule, creating a conflict at the Minden Community House. For that election only, polling typically held at the Community House will be moved to the Civic Center, affecting approximately 2,200 voters.
The jury ratified a local hospital tax assessment agreement with additional providers. Bonsall addressed the item, saying, “This has turned out to be a big deal. We agreed to do this for a year; I think we should do what we said we’d do.” He added, “I think that for the support for our local hospitals, it definitely needs to be there.”
Jurors awarded the bid for engineering services for the DR 4611 grant projects to Cothren, Graff & Smoak Engineering, following bid openings on December 11, 2025.
The panel also approved 2026 beer and video poker renewals for several parish businesses, including Timberland Truckstop, Shongaloo Crossroad Lounge and Deli, E-Z Mart, Sawmill Lounge and Shongaloo Crossroads Grocery.
During committee reports, Brian Williams, director of the Webster Parish Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness, said his office is monitoring weather conditions as dry conditions persist. “It is dry, but it’s a moderate drought,” Williams said. While no burn ban is currently in effect, he advised residents, “Try not to burn until we get some rain.”
The Webster Parish Police Jury meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 10:30 AM in the Webster Parish Courthouse Annex. Meetings are open to the public and are livestreamed at www.websterparishla.org.