The Evangeline Parish Police Jury held its monthly meeting Monday night in the Police Jury Room at the Evangeline Parish Courthouse.  The meeting was postponed from last week due to the Labor Day holiday.  There were three appointments to various districts on the agenda.  One of those appointments was the appointment to the Te Mamou Water District.  Police Juror, Bryan Vidrine, recommended appointing Jason Fontenot to the Board, while Juror, Daniel Arvie, recommended appointing Darwin Lazard to the Board.  Things became a bit tense when Vidrine stated that according to the “requirements set by the Police Jury” for someone to be considered for an appointment by the Jury, they must first complete the necessary forms.  And, that Lazard had not done that.  Arvie and Juror, Ryan Leday Williams, both pointed out that there was no problem with getting the required form.  Arvie stated he did not know a form was required.  Vidrine stated that the Jury is who passed the requirements and that he himself had gone to Mr. Fontenot and told him to submit the form.  He said Arvie should have done the same. So, with a 3 to 3 tie vote on the matter, President Ryan Ardoin, opted to “not vote” to break the tie.  He then declared no action would be taken.  Two more appointments were made: Troy West was appointed to the Eunice Gravity Drainage District #9 and Roderick Thibodeaux was appointed to the Board of Directors for the Evangeline Parish Water District No. 1.  Those recommendations came from those respective committees. 

 

Earlier, Evangeline Parish Assessor, Dirk Deville, addressed the Jury regarding millages and reassessments.  He stated that if reassessments are not done, new property owners who will pay market value will be the only ones paying the majority of taxes based on market value.  Once every four years they adjust based on deflation, inflation and new home values.

 

Public Works Director, Chester Granger, addressed the Board and said the money that has been spent on the sewer system is almost gone.  The Budget had allowed for $6,000.00 until the end of the year and as of September, he has had to spend $5,239.00.  He said the sites has been poorly maintained and he has had to get them up to speed, otherwise he would keep getting fines from the DEQ.  The Jury took recommendations from Granger about cutbacks but then decided to go back and amend the budget for that department.

 

The Jury approved the hiring of Lauren Manuel as the new part-time receptionist at the Police Jury office.  She will replace the late Jan Godfrey who was with the Police Jury for 37 years.  Juror, Sidney Fontenot, recommended to the Jury that a picture of Ms. Godfrey be hung in the Police Jury Room for her service of over 35 years.

 

President Ryan Ardoin, reminded everyone that prayer service takes place every Tuesday night in front of the Courthouse at 6:00 p.m.  Also, the Police Jury will begin advertising for CDL drivers as there is a need in the Parish.