Prior to the regular meeting of the Webster Parish Police Jury (WPPJ), the jurors officially commenced the new year by taking their oaths of office for 2024. Clerk of Court Holli Vining administered the oaths, including those for two new members: Tan Grigsby and Nancy Hines.
In adherence to the customary new year procedures, the WPPJ conducted an election of officers. Jim Bonsall and Steve Ramsey emerged as president and vice-president, respectively, with unanimous support. Lisa Balkom and Alicia Owens were approved as secretary-treasurer and assistant secretary-treasurer, respectively.
The regular meetings of the WPPJ are scheduled for the first Tuesday of each month at 10:30 AM, except for election day (November 5), when the meeting will be moved to November 6. Standard documents, including minutes, financial reports, and budgets, underwent routine approval during the session.
A change order amounting to $2,909.18 received approval for repairing the air conditioning at the Cullen Senior Center. License renewals were granted for establishments in the parish providing beer, liquor, or video poker.
The board of jurors endorsed the reappointments for the Pine Country Education District, a vital fire education center on Camp Minden, utilized for training regional firefighters. Additionally, Gary Greene’s reappointment to Fire District #7 was approved, as was an expenditure of $500 for armored gloves used in rescues.
The abandonment of a parcel of land (parcel listing 108274) on Ridgeway Road was sanctioned, relieving the parish of its maintenance responsibilities for the rarely used road.
A noteworthy discussion centered around an upcoming parish ordinance (#982) amendment, mandating contractors to obtain individual permits for specific work, such as electrical, HVAC, and plumbing. President Jim Bonsall emphasized, “That way we know there’s a licensed contractor on the job.” Noncompliance fines will range from $200 for the first offense to a one-year permit-purchasing ban in Webster Parish for the third offense. This item will be up for approval during next month’s meeting.
The meeting ended with reports from community committees. The Office of Community Services reported that the waiting list for the LIHEAP program has reopened. Head Start is actively recruiting new students and staff. Webster Parish Libraries will be hosting the state’s summer reading workshop in Minden this month. Mardi Gras in Minden will be held on January 27. The civil defense exhibit at the Dorcheat Museum is now open. And Angie Chapman, director of 911, was proud to announce that of the 37,636 calls received last year, 100% of them were answered with the process beginning within 10 seconds. Of the calls where the person disconnected before the call was answered, 100% were either called back with contact made or, if no answer, referred to law enforcement for follow up.
The next WPPJ meeting is scheduled for February 6 at 10:30 AM in the Webster Parish Courthouse Annex, located at 401 Main Street in Minden.