Ouachita Parish

The regular meeting included the approval of the agenda with an addition to recognize a visitor from Samaritan's Purse regarding recent ice storm assistance. A public hearing was held regarding Ordinance No. 9540, which amends regulations concerning cuttings, excavations, and construction in public roads. Department head reports were presented for Animal Control, Fire Department, Homeland Security, IT, Mosquito Control, and 911 Office. The meeting recessed for a Personnel Committee meeting where numerous personnel actions were approved, including sick leave terminations/extensions, confirmations of probationary employees (including many Fire Drivers), promotions of Recruits to Probable Firefighters, one resignation, and authorization for the Fire Chief to handle certain personnel actions electronically. The committee also approved a transfer within Public Works and two terminations. Following this, the Public Works Committee meeting occurred, resulting in sketch plan approval for Deer Bend at Oliver Plantation and approval of Change Order No. 1 for the 2025 school striping program. Upon reconvening the regular meeting, all committee actions were ratified. Several key actions were adopted, including Resolution No. 26-10 and Resolution No. 26-11 concerning required environmental audit report responses for compliance with the Louisiana Water Discharge Permit System. Resolution No. 26-12 supported compliance for the annual financial audit. The Jury approved providing dumpsters for public garbage disposal following the ice storm. Ordinance No. 9541 was introduced to authorize the Act of Sale for several adjudicated properties via public auction. Ordinance No. 9540, which amends regulations regarding parish roads and excavations, including fees and bond requirements, was introduced and adopted. Administrative updates were provided on ARPA letters and the comprehensive parish plan. Final approvals included an exemption for vehicle marking for arson investigators and approval of a lease for property at 858 and 1400 Miller Road.

The agenda for the regular meeting details several key areas of discussion and potential action. The Personnel Committee is scheduled to address personnel actions within the Fire Department, requests for termination and promotions within Green Oaks, and a termination request within Animal Control. The Public Works Committee agenda includes receiving bid results and awarding projects for water and road improvements, as well as substantial completion updates for several phases. Other significant actions include the introduction and discussion of Ordinance No. 9542 to extend the moratorium on permits for 'Solar Farms,' and Ordinance No. 9543 regarding the public auction of adjudicated properties. Additional topics involve ARPA reallocation, federal project priorities, service awards for Fire Department, Green Oaks, and the Employee Clinic staff, and approval for obtaining proposals for the courthouse low slope roof.

The Finance Committee meeting addressed several budgetary matters. Key items included the approval of a travel request for the Federal Programs Director and the review and approval of the 2025 Amended and 2026 Proposed budgets for numerous funds. These funds comprised the Workers Compensation Reserve fund, Special Projects fund (including Darbonne Hills drainage and Cheniere Lake Area 1 improvements), Capital Outlay for Road Program, Drainage Program, and Urban Systems. Budgets for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fund and ARPA Interest fund were also approved, as were the Debt Service and Capital Outlay funds for both the West and East Ouachita Parish Economic Development Districts. Additionally, the committee approved the 2025 Amended and 2026 Proposed budgets for the Ingleside Sewer District, the LCDBG -- South Monroe Water Improvements fund (a new grant), and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds. The Registrar's Office budget within the General Fund was approved, including discussion about procuring a desk for early voting. The committee also heard a presentation on the District Judges budget within the General Fund. The meeting concluded with an executive session to discuss litigation potentially impacting the General Fund, following which the General Fund budgets were approved.

The meeting agenda includes a public hearing for Ordinance No. 9541 concerning the authorization of an act of sale for adjudicated properties by public auction. Discussions and actions cover various department heads, including travel requests and building updates for the 911 Office, personnel actions for Green Oaks and Animal Control, and a contract for Federal Programs. The Engineering Report addresses change orders for striping and pump station projects, alongside general project updates. The Finance Committee agenda includes review of a claim statement and budget versus actual report. Later items include resolutions for the Cheniere Lake kayak launch and Caples Road project funding, an update on the I-20 South Frontage Road drainage project, and a resolution supporting an application for the Community Water Enrichment Fund for the Frost Town Water project. Administrative reports will cover a communications policy, comprehensive parish plan updates, personnel actions and bid results for turnout gear in the Fire Department, and legal matters such as signing a purchase agreement for the Highway 80 fire station property. Public Works actions involve requests related to personnel changes and the purchase of equipment attachments.

The Police Jury meeting included amendments to the agenda, such as removing an ordinance and adding items for drainage improvements funding and library sign proposals. Service awards for December were presented. A public hearing was held regarding an ordinance to authorize the sale of certain adjudicated properties by public auction, after which the hearing was closed. A Notice of Intent to Call an Election for the renewal of an ad valorem tax for the Parish jail and prisoner maintenance was read. Visitors included a representative from Ouachita Green, followed by approval of a cooperative endeavor agreement with that entity. Department heads presented monthly reports, including a request for travel approval for one staff member and discussion on a 911 co-location project cost estimate. The body recessed for a Personnel Committee meeting where service awards and various personnel actions for the Fire Department (including sick leave terminations, promotions, administrative leave, a transfer, resignations, and a retirement) and Green Oaks (promotions) were approved. The Public Works Committee meeting followed, discussing construction permit fees and approving an application for state funding for Millhaven Estates Subdivision improvements. Upon reconvening the regular meeting, the actions of the committee meetings were ratified. Key actions included a decision not to sell the Conner property lots. The body adopted Ordinance No. 9532, amending the 2025 Annual Operating Budget, and adopted Ordinance No. 9533, establishing the proposed 2026 Operating Budgets. Resolution No. 25-71 and Resolution No. 25-72 were adopted, reappointing two individuals to the Keep Ouachita Parish Beautiful Committee. Ordinance No. 9530, authorizing the act of sale for adjudicated properties, was adopted, detailing ten parcels. Ordinance No. 9534, authorizing bond issuance, was introduced. Ordinance No. 9535 was introduced, authorizing the act of sale for eight additional adjudicated properties. Administrative approvals included the 2026 calendar, retention of services for finding a fire station property, retaining a firm for design/project management for fleet maintenance storage and training center expansion, and advertising bids for radio communication tower replacement. Insurance renewals and 2026 beaver and feral swine contracts were approved. Finally, approval was granted for new and renewal beer and whiskey applications.