The Vernon Parish Police Jury met on Monday, May 19, in regular session and conducted business of the parish. They also welcomed local high school athletes to attend and awarded them for their achievements this spring. The 2025 Pitkin Class B state champs in baseball and Simpson’s Lady Broncos track team that won the Class C state track title were recognized by Jurors. The Anacoco Lady Indians Class B state championship track team will be recognized in June.
Committee reports were heard, including business that came in after the May 16 committee meetings. The Capital Properties Committee declared two parish-owned properties as surplus earlier in the month and the Jury will commence the sale of the adjudicated properties. The Jury will advertise for bids for Request for Qualification on the Parish-Wide Generator Project. Several quotes came in after committee reports were heard on May 16. GMT Services submitted a quote of $7,685 to replace the front steps at the Vernon Parish Health Unit. Pat Williams Construction offered a quote of $5,693 to repair the exterior wall of the new courthouse. Star Services submitted quotes for the chiller at the new courthouse. The replacement of a circuit on a compressor is $20,854, while work on the SPM Board is $2,894. Custom Metal & Siding quoted $49,283 for a 30’x100’x12′ equipment shed at the parish-wide maintenance yard. Pat Williams Construction submitted a quote for additional work on the catwalk removal at the Courthouse Annex. Included is metal stud framing, installation of dense glass, waterproofing, and brick finishing extension. The cost is $30,101.
The Vernon Parish Police Jury owns a tract of property on Lake Vernon, where residents have reported unusual behavior. District Attorney Terry Lambright told the Jurors they are within their rights to put up a gate with a lock, allowing access to key personnel only.
The Equipment Committee will dispose of nine pieces of surplus equipment and vehicles at the next auction by Bonnette Auction in Alexandria. Bids were opened May 13 for a new International Dump Truck for parish-wide maintenance. The low bid of $185,322.94 was from iTA Truck Sales and Service.
The Road Maintenance and Construction Committee will begin putting specifications on paper for the removal of dead trees in the parish that pose a hazard to citizens. They will look into contracting with a firm for that service.
Following the updated reports from committee, Jurors adopted 2025 millage rates for the parish. Copies of the millage rates are available to the public at the Police Jury Administrative Building during regular business hours.
Jurors entered into a public hearing on an ordinance to reduce the speed limit on a portion of Oak Forest Loop in District 12/Ward 1, beginning at Highway 117 at the south end of the loop, heading west for 1400 feet. The speed limit on that stretch will be 15 mph. It will remain at 25 mph elsewhere.
Jurors agreed to participate in the Local Healthcare Provider Participation Program for the parish. They had several months to study the impact. This program is designed to improve the ability of local health providers to offer enhanced medical benefits at no expense to the local taxpayer.
A public hearing will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 16, to hear input on a proposed ordinance to abandon Pat Roberts Road in District 12/Ward 1 in its entirety (1,056 feet). Another ordinance will reduce the speed limit on Elijah Haymon Road to 25 mph in its entirety.
Jurors approved a resolution to purchase four acres of property on Highway 1146 for the District 7, maintenance yard, for $20,000. The Jury had been leasing the property.
The next meeting of the Vernon Parish Police Jury will be Monday, June 9, at 5 p.m.