The Evangeline Parish Police Jury , Monday, took the first steps toward the construction of a new main branch of the Evangeline Parish Library.

                          Upon the recommendation of the Parish Library Board and discussion with Bonding Attorney Eric LaFleur , the jury approved having Lafleur and the library Board solicit quotes from all of the parish banks to fund the construction of a proposed $1.5 million dollar library.

                           The proposal will be submitted to the State Bond Commission to give permission for the parish to sell $1.5 million in revenue bonds to be repaid over a 15 year period from the revenues of a library millage tax.

                            The library board will locate the new library at its site in the  middle of town on west main which was formerly the site of Ville Platte Medical Center,

                             In other business, the police jury received the official  audit report from

C.P.A. Vic Slaven of Kolder, Champaigne, Slaven and Company. The jury voted 8-1 to approve the report with juror Lamar Johnson voting no. Johnson said he wanted more time to review the 92 page report.

                             Slaven said the police jury is operating in the black and has shown improvement in following recommendations from his firm and the legislative auditor.

                             Among the recommendations made in the audit report were: making sure management were presented with accurate monthly financial statements; have better controls on the use of credit cards, travel and expense reimbursement, contracts, personnel and  payroll.

                               The police jury  Monday adopted a written handbook on policy and procedures upon the recommendation by its auditors.

                               In other action the police jury:

--authorized meeting with the Ward Five fire District Board to review an Attorney General’s Opinion that prohibits a fire department from going outside its taxing district to fight a fire. The area in question is the Lone Pine community that is outside the Ward Five district;

--reappointed Joey Ardoin to another five year term on the Ward Five Water District Board;

--reappointed Katy Marcantel to another five year term on the Evangeline Parish Library Board;