Parish President Thomas Reports on $6,710,881 in Current Projects

Washington Parish President Richard Ned Thomas reported to the Parish Council Monday evening (September 9, 2019) on various projects that are being managed. The Washington Parish Solar Project  has received necessary approvals and will be located on a 500 acre site at the LSU Experiment Station on Bethel Road. Construction should begin in January, 2020.

Current active projects being managed and totaling $6,710,881 include

• a $345,000 Capital Outlay Grant has been approved that will be used for the courthouse air conditioning replacement project,
• a new library in Angie is under construction at an estimated cost of $200,000,
• a courthouse sidewalk project in Franklinton is ongoing at a cost of $393,000,
• a $1,625,000 landfill cell #7 project is going on,
• overlay of Pope, Dollar, and Bonner Creek roads (7.82 miles) costing $736,000,
• a LGAP grant is being used to replace air conditioning for two cells at the parish jail totaling $52,881
• a HAZMAT grant of $1,846,000 will be used for window upgrades at the Franklinton Junior High School,
• funding in the amount of $1,513,000 has been received from FEMA to elevate houses.

Thomas also reported on remodeling of the Registrar of Voters office, the Clerk of Court office, the main courtroom and various maintenance and equipment projects in the courthouse.

In addition, Public Works Director Ken Wheat reported on substantial emergency preparedness funding that will be coming available, Finance Director Donna Graham reported that all funds are in a positive situation, and Transportation Manager Donnell Merritt reported on road maintenance and projects across the parish.

The reports by President Thomas and his staff begins at 8:15 into video of the meeting.