Rapides Parish

The board meeting focused on several key agenda items, including the presentation of a public service recognition certificate and updates regarding the Police Jury Association Conference. The Police Jury approved the payment of bills and made various reappointments to local boards, including the Ward 9 Recreation District and the 911 Communication District Board. Furthermore, the members reviewed and adopted several ordinances authorizing the sale of adjudicated properties to private individuals, and voted to rescind a previous motion related to specific properties that were no longer being pursued by a prospective purchaser.

The meeting focused on organizational matters, including the election of Craig Smith as President and Oliver "Ollie" Overton, Jr. as Vice-President for 2026, and the appointment of Ms. Theresa Pacholik as Secretary/Treasurer for a two-year term. Key actions included the adoption of the travel expense policy and the authorization of the President to approve travel expenditures. The Jury approved the amended budget for 2025 and the proposed budget for 2026 for the North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory Commission. Furthermore, the Intent to Sell on several abandoned/adjudicated properties was approved. Contracts were awarded for District H Roadway Improvements to Gilchrist Construction Co., LLC, Building Demolition at 5281 Oaklane Drive to Maverick Construction, LLC, District A, B, C and H Roadway Improvements for 2026 to Diamond B. Construction Company, LLC, and Philadelphia Road Roadway Improvements to Diamond B. Construction Company, LLC. Resolutions were adopted concerning Sherwood Drive Drainage Improvements funding, Design Exceptions for the Beeson Road Over Flagon Bayou Tributary bridge replacement, and the authorization for the Parish President to execute documents related to Philadelphia Road Street Improvements under a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement. The Jury awarded bids for Mowing Services and authorized the purchase of a Pothole Patcher for the Public Works Department. Appointments were confirmed for members of Rapides Parish Fire District No. 7 and No. 2 Civil Service Boards. Finally, contracts were accepted as substantially complete for Buckeye Recreation Restroom Upgrades and Fire Station construction for Fire District No. 5.

The document serves as a notice for several standing committee meetings scheduled for March 2, 2026, including Finance, Public Works, Watershed and Agricultural Affairs, Workforce Development and Grants, Tourism and Economic Planning and Development, Courthouse, Coliseum and Facilities, Parochial Board Liaison and Municipal Liaison, Personnel, Elections, Insurance and Legal, and Ambulance, Fire, Health and Homeland Security Committees. Key agenda items for the committees include the Finance Committee opening abandoned/adjudicated properties for public auction and motions related to rescinding previous sale motions and amending an ordinance for property sale. The Public Works Committee agenda includes deleting equipment from the asset listing due to total loss and ratifying agreements for reclaimed asphalt donation from the Louisiana Department of Transportation, as well as awarding a bid for Sherwood Drive Drainage Improvements. The Workforce Development & Grants Committee plans to discuss hiring a temporary part-time teacher for the Summer Youth Employment Program. The Personnel, Elections, Insurance & Legal Committee agenda involves nominating a member for the Civil Service Board, initiating condemnation proceedings for properties on Georgia Drive, appointing an Interim Public Works Director, and authorizing the advertisement for applications for the permanent Public Works Director. The Ambulance, Fire, Health & Homeland Security Committee includes receiving the January 2026 EMS report from PAFFORD EMS.

The meeting included juror comments and an update from a T-Mobile/Metronet Representative, following a prior meeting with Legal Counsel. Key agenda items involved authorizing the sale of several abandoned/adjudicated properties located on Elder Street, Wise Street, and in Lecompte. The jury planned to halt the sale process for two properties on Harris Street after the potential purchaser withdrew. Financial actions included approving the Treasurer's report and authorizing amendments to the 2026 budget to reflect actual beginning balances. Public Works items included authorizing price quotes for Will White Road Bridge repairs (not to exceed $80,000.00), purchasing a lawnmower for Cheneyville, and amending a prior motion regarding a truck purchase contract number. The jury authorized participation in the Annual Keep Louisiana Beautiful Love the Boot Week and approved a military water survival training exercise at Cotile Lake. Actions concerning facilities involved authorizing beneficial occupancy for the Courthouse Restroom Renovation Project and accepting a Registrar of Voters renovation as substantially complete. The jury accepted a sealed bid for a Parish Library property sale. Authorization was granted to hire seasonal workers for mowing crews. A motion was passed to order T-Fiber/Metronet to cease operations until private property damages are resolved. The meeting reviewed the PAFFORD EMS report for December 2025 compliance metrics. Further motions addressed purchasing a Ford F250 truck for Fire District No. 10, initiating condemnation proceedings for a property on Dupree Street, and renewing a Fire Service Agreement with the Town of Lecompte. The jury also ratified declarations of a State of Emergency and its subsequent termination related to a Winter Storm in January 2026. Other items included extending janitorial services for the Courthouse, supporting a Senator's letter regarding "Legal Baiting" effects on duck migration, authorizing the purchase of a Skid Steer for Public Works, approving an hourly rate increase for Ward 9 Recreation staff, accepting an Elevator Replacement Project as substantially complete under protest, authorizing reimbursement to the Town of Woodworth for public drainage work, nominating a candidate for a Fire District Civil Service Board, granting a variance for electricity extension near Saline Bayou, renewing the CLAHEC contract for the Health Unit, and extending the lease agreement for the Registrar of Voters office space on a month-to-month basis.

The special session meeting included an Executive Session requested by the Personnel Committee Chairman to discuss an investigatory proceeding and a personnel issue. Following the Executive Session, the Police Jury voted to take necessary actions to resolve the identified issues, specifically moving to terminate Mr. Cory Ashmore, the Public Works Director, from his employment. The meeting concluded with no further business.