The Evangeline Parish Police Jury Monday called for a public hearing July 9 at 5;00pm prior to their next regular meeting to get public comment on a possible revision of the boundaries of the road and drainage district that will collect the 2 percent sales tax. For the past fifteen years, the district has included all of Evangeline Parish except the Basile District 2 area of the parish. Also, all municipalities were not included in the road district.
Bonding Attorney Eric Lafleur informed the jury that they have the right to revise the boundaries and extend or shorten the length of the tax call. District Two Police Juror Kenny Burgess said there are some residents in his district that is asking to be included in the road district. District Four Lamar Johnson is considering removing a portion of his district or reducing the length of the tax call.
The jury is looking at having the tax renewal election on November 4 ballot. The parish would have to have the proper paperwork turned in to the Louisiana Bond Commission by July 18 to have their election in November.
In other business, it took two rounds of voting but the police jury has elected a new Public Works Director. The jury appointed Donald Bergeron as the new director over former director Chester Granger. The vote was Bergeron receiving 5 votes while Granger receiving 4 votes.
There were a total of 7 applicants while five of the applicants were nominated by jurors for the position.
In other action the police jury:
--passed a resolution to send a letter to the State Department of Environmental Quality to request their approval to accept waste water from Quality Plating at the Industrial Park on an interim basis until a permit is received from the state.
--gave approval for film crews from Lifetime Cable TV to use the Crooked Creek Park as they follow a contestant in the Smoked Meat Festival Queen’s contest this weekend as part of their TV show, “Bayou Beauty Queens;
--re-appointed Ville Platte Mayor Jennifer Vidrine to another five year term on the parish library board.