Posted About Two Years Ago
by
Mark Layne
Evangeline Parish Police Jury Meeting
October 4, 2021
The Evangeline Parish Police Jury tonight (Monday) received a status report from their demographer, Mike Heffner, on preparing a new redistricting plan based on the new 2020 census data. Heffner prepared two plans for jurors to review and to receive input. Jurors have until June 2023 to prepare for their October 2023 election. Evangeline Parish School Board Members have an election in November of 2022 so their reapportionment plan must be approved by June of next year.
In other business, the police jury approved entering into a cooperative endeavor agreement with the Evangeline Chamber of Commerce having the jury send their monthly $650 contribution to them rather than split between the chamber and tourism commission. Chamber President Dr. Gwen Fontenot made the presentation to the jury. Tourism Commission Board Chairman Jay Giehlow was in favor of the change.
Secretary Treasurer Donald Bergeron informed members of the jury that the parish had to use some $40,000 in federal funds from the American Rescue Plan to stay within its fiscal year budget. Bergeron said the parish is some $184,500 over its budget in paying the fees to prisoners residing in out of parish jails.
Bergeron also announced that the jury will discuss a proposed tax proposition at its November 6 meeting to help fund the cost of a new parish jail.
In other action, the police jury:
--approved giving pay raises to its permit clerk, public works secretary and flood Zone Mapping clerk;
--voted to purchase a second sprayer to spray for mosquitos in populated areas of the parish;
--appointed Eugene Manuel to replace John Bihm on the Duralde Gravity Drainage Board;
--reappointed Nathaniel Thomas and Lynn Gooden on the Evangeline Parish Communications District Board;
--appointed Shane Darbonne to replace Pat Soileau on the Evangeline Parish Solid Waste Commission Board;
--reappointed Paul Berzas to the Duralde Gravity Drainage Board;
--set trick or treating hours in Evangeline Parish outside of municipalities as Sunday October 31 Halloween night from 6-8pm while trick of treating at Crooked Creek Park will be held Saturday October 30 from 5:30-8:00pm