Washington Parish Council Meeting Sept. 12, 2022

The Washington Parish Council has had its share of contentious meetings that dealt with difficult issues in our parish. But more often than not, the meetings seem to address routine agenda items. But that view is deceptive. Reports to the Council reflect a tremendous amount of work to keep Washington Parish's roads and infrastructure well maintained and taxpayer funds monitored and spent appropriately. None of this happens by accident but is the result of planning and astute management. The latest meeting was on Monday (September 12, 2022) evening.

Prior to the regular meeting, the Council held a Public Hearing to obtain views on the community development needs of Washington Parish and to discuss the submission of an application for funding under the State of Louisiana FY 2023 Community Development Block Grant (LCDBG) Program.

The Council also

• Introduced an ordinance to make possible the “closeout of a FY 2023-2024 Louisiana Community Development Block Grant Application on behalf of the Parish and any political sub-divisions thereof; and further indicating the intention of the parish of Washington, State of Louisiana, to allocate funds for the procurement of professional engineering and administrative services for a FY 2023-2024 LCDBG Project
• Adopted a resolution authorizing the filing of an application with DOTD for a grant under FTA Programs  managed through DOTD
• Approved a resolution appointing Timothy Slocum to replace Donna Phillips on the Washington Parish Fire District No. 7 Board of Directors
• Approved a resolution appointing Ronald Pittman to replace Myra Nobles on the Washington Parish Fire District No. 7 Board of Directors
• Heard the President's Report from Richard Thomas and his staff (beginning at 6:40 into video of the meeting)

President Thomas remarked on the passing of local attorney Richard Watts, spoke of the court opening ceremony on September 8th, recognized recent adoption and spay and neuter activities by the Washington Parish Animal Shelter, noted the upcoming “Team Up to Clean Up” event in the Town of Franklinton, and recognized efforts by the Tourism Commission in supporting local businesses.