The Vernon Parish Police Jury met in regular session at 10 a.m., Monday, June 17, at the parish administrative offices.
Visitor Ken Johnson spoke to the jurors on several concerns with Mary Hunt Road in District 12, Ward 1. New housing in the area has meant children playing, and a contractor has been dumping dirt inappropriately. Jurors will seek to adjust the speed limit and contact the party responsible for dumping the dirt.
Scottie Benjamin with the Equipment Committee reported on bids received for a new mower for the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office mowing team. C&S Power Equipment submitted the low bid of $6,599. The bid was accepted by the jurors.
Finance Committee Chair Curtis Clay reported two invoices received from Meyer and Associates for engineering services. Jurors accepted them both. The Fal Road Rehabilitation Project invoice was for $1,848.13. The invoice for work on the Lift State Generator Phase 2 was $1,747.65.
Marvin Hilton, Chairman of the Personnel Committee, had three items for jurors. The Jury was notified by the 30th Judicial District Court of the hiring of Mr. Brock A. McKiness as a law clerk effective May 8, 2024, at a salary of $3500 per month. Hilton recommended the Jury approve the request of the parish road manager to hire Blayne K. Nolen as a full-time equipment operator for District 5 with a six-month probation period. Hilton also recommended a change in status for Virginia Billingsley to permanent full-time Receptionist and Purchasing Agent in the Administrative Office, with a six-month probation period. Jurors agreed with the recommendations.
The Jury also declared Friday, July 5, a holiday for staff. All parish employees will be off July 4 and 5 for Independence Day.
Dean Mitchell read the report from David Brister, Chairman of the Road Maintenance and Construction Committee, who was absent. The Vernon Parish Health Unit made requests to fill in two abandoned wells and to bury a horse in District 7, Ward 7. The committee recommended a resolution to perform routine maintenance for the Town of Rosepine and Village of Simpson. The requests were approved.
In other Jury business a resolution was approved authorizing Sabine State Bank to make monthly transfers to the Operation Account at Merchants and Farmers Bank for sales tax distribution, and jurors agreed to refinance the John Deere Motor Grader in District 5 with Cadence Bank. Jurors adopted a resolution to establish a policy governing the requirements of a revised Louisiana Statute allowing for any member of the public with disabilities recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act to participate in VPPJ meetings remotely by teleconferencing. Administrators are currently working on the specifics.
The Police Jury will hold a public hearing Monday, July 15, at 10 a.m. to hear input on three proposed ordinances to amend section 13:31 of the Vernon Parish Code of Ordinances. The first would reduce the speed limit on Cypress Church Road (District 7, Ward 2) to 20 mph in its entirety. The second would reduce the speed limit on Hebert Road (District 1, Ward 4) to 15 mph in its entirety. The third would reduce the speed limit on Mary Hunt Road (District 12, Ward 1) to 20 mph in its entirety.
The next meeting of the Vernon Parish Police Jury will be Monday, July 8, at 5 p.m. in the parish administrative office.