The Vernon Parish Police Jury met at 5 p.m. Monday, September 9, in the Jury’s administrative building in Leesville.
A special-called meeting was held five minutes prior to the committee meeting. Jurors declared some equipment surplus, which will be auctioned on September 14. The equipment includes a 2006 Mahindra tractor and a 2000 Case backhoe from Districts 1,4,8,9, and a 1999 New Holland TS-100, a 2009Tiger boom mower, and a 2008 Ford F-350 pickup truck from Districts 10,11,12.
Committee reports were heard next with Cody Hostetler of the Economic Development Committee and Jury President Jim Tuck, both speaking on the urgency of getting the task done of finding three candidates for seating on the Board of the Vernon Parish Development District. The state legislature created the district to promote and encourage economic development. A nine-person committee will be formed. The Police Jury will seek three Vernon Parish residents to sit on this Board. The City of Leesville and the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce will also put forth three nominees. Jurors will submit names at the next board meeting or ASAP.
Scottie Benjamin with the Equipment Committee reported a request from the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office to purchase a new Chevrolet 15 passenger express van for the mowing crew. The cost of the vehicle would be $46,166.35 on a state contract. Some jurors suggested the sheriff split the cost with the jury. There was discussion on the topic. That request will be on the agenda at the next meeting.
Marvin Hilton with the Personnel Committee reported to jurors two new hirings. Austin Mathews was hired as a full-time equipment operator in District 7. Brian Davis was hired as a full-time grader operator in District 7. Both men have a 6-month probationary period.
The Road Maintenance and Construction Committee reported that bids were opened on August 20 for liquid soil stabilizer. There was only one bid, which was from Base-Seal International, Inc. BS-100 will cost $1,650 per 55-gallon drum, and TS-100 will cost $1,540 per 55-gallon drum. The Vernon Parish School Board requested the Police Jury construct a bus turnaround at the end of Jerry Nolen Road in District 5. That committee received two requests from the Vernon Parish Health Unit to bury two dead horses. A request from District 9 came in to asphalt 550’ of Mitchell Road in District 9/Ward 3. The cost is $13,400 and will be paid with District 9 funds.
Kenny Haymon with the Ways and Means Committee spoke on requests from the Vernon Parish Housing Authority to re-appoint Ms. Nelva Jeane to the Board of Commissioners for another term, and to appoint Ms. Deborah Franca to replace Ms. Pauline Walters, who resigned.
A public hearing will be held Monday, September 16, at 10 a.m. on two proposed ordinances, both dealing with abandoning roads. Lynn Nash Road in District 3/Ward 3 will be abandoned in its entirety. Wilcox Road in District 3/Ward 3 is also no longer needed. The request came from the only resident on the road.
Jurors adopted a resolution to waive the PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) through September 30 for the Vernon Parish Housing Authority. That estimated PILOT is $15,100.
The Vernon Parish Police Jury will next meet at 10 a.m., Monday, September 16.