Katherine Jennings

The agenda for the meeting included the election of officers (President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer) and a special presentation of plaques to the outgoing President and Vice President. Key actions involved authorizing the President to sign certifications to the Legislative Auditor regarding the expenditure of funds from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025. The Jury was set to adopt an annual travel expense policy, provide an annual travel budget, and authorize travel expenditures, including those for the Police Jury Association President. Other financial matters included authorizing registration and expenses for the 2026 Justices of the Peace and Constables Annual Training, approving the amended 2025 budget and proposed 2026 budget for the North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory Commission, and approving the Intent to Sell on several adjudicated properties. Several construction projects were addressed, including accepting Project No. 3389 (Buckeye Recreation Restroom Upgrades) and Project No. 3315 (Fire District #5 Fire Station) as substantially complete. The jury planned to award bids for multiple roadway improvement projects across various districts and authorize advertising for bids for Drainage Improvements on Sherwood Drive. Furthermore, approvals were sought for a monthly maintenance agreement for the Buckeye Recreation Board, adopting a resolution for bridge replacement on Beeson Road, and renewing Annual Intergovernmental Agreements with several municipalities. Appointments were scheduled for various boards and commissions, including the Alexandria/Pineville Area Convention Bureau, Recreation Districts, Communications District, and Fire District Civil Service Boards. Other items included authorizing cleanup of a dilapidated structure, receiving a contract report from PAFFORD EMS, granting approval for an RV Park expansion, authorizing the purchase of a Pothole Patcher, entering into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement for local Veterans' Service Office support, approving salary increases for several positions effective January 4, 2026, authorizing a grant application submission for the LGAP program, accepting the Rapides Parish Courthouse Renovations Phase 1 as substantially complete, authorizing garbage cleanup at a property, and awarding a bid for Mowing Services.

The document outlines the schedule and agendas for multiple standing committee meetings occurring on January 5, 2026. Key discussion points included: Finance Committee agenda items such as approving travel expense policies, authorizing expense coverage for Justices of the Peace and Constables training, approving budgets for the North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory Commission, and motions regarding the intent to sell several properties and accepting two projects (Buckeye Recreation Restroom Upgrades and Fire District #5 Fire Station Construction) as substantially complete. The Public Works, Watershed and Agricultural Affairs Committee agenda covered awarding bids for roadway improvements in Districts H, A, B, and C, condemning cleanup at one property, authorizing advertising for drainage improvements on Sherwood Drive, approving a maintenance agreement for the Buckeye Recreation Board, and adopting a resolution for a bridge replacement on Beeson Road. The Workforce Development & Grants Committee focused on receiving updates on grants. The Courthouse, Coliseum and Facilities Committee planned to receive updates on the Courthouse and Coliseum. The Parochial Board Liaison & Municipal Liaison Committee intended to authorize the renewal of Annual Intergovernmental Agreements for 2026 with several municipalities. The Personnel, Elections, Insurance and Legal Committee planned to address the appointment of a nominee to the Rapides Parish Fire District No. 7 Civil Service board and the removal of a dilapidated structure on adjudicated property. The Ambulance, Fire, Health & Homeland Security Committee included receiving the required PAFFORD EMS contract report for November 2025, detailing response times and compliance metrics.

The Police Jury authorized advertisement for sealed bids for the sale of a small tract of library property. They also authorized legal counsel to file an appeal in a Civil Service Docket. Additionally, they approved the purchase of a full body scanner to be used at DC#1 by piggybacking off of a Sheriff Office Bid. The Jury appointed a nominee to serve on the Rapides Parish Fire District No. 2 Civil Service Board.

The Rapides Parish Police Jury held a regular session where they discussed and acted upon several key issues. They presented service awards to employees from the Public Works Department and Rapides Parish Fire District No. 2, as well as the Sales Tax and Civil Service Offices. The jury also reappointed the Parish President to various positions, including the Chamber of Commerce and the Rapides Area Planning Commission. A public hearing was opened and closed for the proposed FY 2026 budget. Additionally, the jury addressed the sale of adjudicated property, authorized the President to sign an engagement letter for the 2025 audit, and approved cleanups for multiple properties. They also authorized road improvements, accepted the completion of a road improvement project, and discussed proposals for an efficiency study of the Public Works Department. The jury authorized events at Cotile Recreation, approved an emergency declaration change order for courthouse repairs, renewed worker's compensation insurance, and approved a professional services contract for a compensation study. They also addressed solar siting requirements, received a report from PAFFORD EMS, and discussed carbon capture and sequestration, including the formation of a task force and opposition to eminent domain. Finally, they ordered special elections for fire protection and road districts.

The agenda includes reports and potential actions from various committees. The Finance Committee will discuss the Treasurer's Report and motions related to adjudicated properties, including opening one for public auction and halting the sale of another due to vandalism, and authorizing the President to sign the engagement letter for the 2025 audit. The Public Works, Watershed & Agricultural Affairs Committee will address the Public Works Director's Report, motions to authorize cleanups of properties with garbage and debris, authorize price quotes for road improvements on Monk Road, accept road improvements as substantially complete, receive proposals for a comprehensive efficiency study of the Public Works Department. The Tourism and Economic Planning and Development Committee will consider authorizing the Cotile Events Association to host multiple events at Cotile Recreation in 2026. The Courthouse, Coliseum and Facilities Committee will receive an update on the Courthouse and consider approving an Emergency Declaration Change Order for unanticipated damages during Courthouse Repair. The Personnel, Elections, Insurance & Legal Committee will discuss renewing Worker's Compensation Insurance, approving a professional services contract for a compensation plan study, approving a name change for a part-time maintenance position, opting out of statewide solar sighting requirements, and adopting a resolution opposing carbon capture sequestration. The Ambulance, Fire, Health & Homeland Security Committee will receive the required report from PAFFORD EMS under the Contract for October 2025.