Tommy Leonard

The meeting featured presentations recognizing employee anniversaries and the retirement of Council Clerk Gerrie Martin, who received a dedicated service award. A proclamation was passed declaring October 2025 as Dysautonomia Awareness Month. The Council unanimously appointed Ms. Courtney Hurst as the new Council Clerk. The Parish President provided a financial report detailing revenues, expenditures, and fund balances as of August 31, 2025, and reported on open positions. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the legality and budget implications of the Parish President creating a Fire Coordinator position, with Councilman Jarreau opposing the unilateral action due to concerns over usurping the Fire District Board's authority and lack of budgeting. The Council also introduced an ordinance regarding roofing permit fees, which will be subject to a public hearing on October 14, 2025. Further actions included accepting the assessor's appraisal of properties, scheduling Board of Adjustments meetings, authorizing the Parish President to sign a grant application with LA DOTD for the Council on Aging Transportation Program, and naming a private road for E-911 purposes.

The council meeting included updates from the Parish President on financial matters, the retirement of employees, and bidding for the courthouse project. Fire Chiefs provided updates on fire protection. The council denied a rezoning request for a therapeutic group home following public comments and legal counsel. Public hearings were held and ordinances were adopted to amend the parish budget and authorize the purchase of property for courthouse parking. A special use permit for a cemetery was approved. The council also authorized the development of a strategic plan for fire services and supported applying for water sector funding to consolidate waterworks districts.

The Jury discussed the recommendations from a Selection Review Committee meeting held October 17, 2017, for the selection of a firm to perform engineering & land surveying services for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for the August 2016 flood event. The Jury also reviewed a proposal from Blue Cross Blue Shield for group health insurance renewal with an 18.5% increase.

The meeting addressed several key issues, including a public hearing and subsequent adoption of an ordinance requiring film production permits issued by the parish, as well as amendments to the code of ordinances regarding livestock regulation. Discussions were held regarding problems with starving horses in the parish, grass cutters for lots with tall grass, immediate cost reductions, a five-year financial plan, and a proposal to reduce the number of jurors. The renewal of the Drainage Impact Fee, the Paul Celestine drainage project, and a lawsuit update were also discussed. Additionally, there was consideration of installing a camera and recording system in the meeting room, a public records request from the Mayor of New Roads, and several resolutions were approved, including the reappointment of an alternate member to the Capital Resource Conservation & Development Council, a professional services contract for the False River Nitrogen Impact Mitigation Project, and the purchase of chemicals for spraying lilies in False Bayou.

The council discussed the status of the Fire Board and potential options for amending the ordinance and consolidating the Fire Board, including identifying the specific needs of each fire district. They also discussed the possibility of consolidating the fire districts into two. A public hearing was conducted regarding amendments to Roofing Permit Fees, and a proposed ordinance was adopted. The council also discussed a proposed ordinance to amend the Pointe Coupee Parish Code of Ordinance to provide for the merger of Precinct 14A into Precinct 14 to create a single-municipal precinct and assigning polling locations for the Town of Fordoche. Additionally, they discussed a proposed ordinance to enact Chapter 29, of the Pointe Coupee Code of Ordinances, pertaining to Battery Energy Storage Systems. The council approved a special use permit for an event center, set trick-or-treat hours, approved the holding of elections in Fire Protection District No. 1 & Fire Protection District No. 2, approved a final plat for re-subdivision, authorized the president to sign agreements for Salus Facilities, LLC and Salas O'Brian, LLC, awarded a low bid for the 2025 Road Resurfacing Project, and approved an extension of time for the condemnation & removal of a dangerous structure.