The Winn Parish Police Jury certified the 2025 ad valorem tax rolls, voted to advertise for 2026 road materials and supplies, and approved the annual certification for the state Off-System Bridge Replacement Program during their Sept. 15 meeting.
After outlining the roll figures, $110.9 million in assessed value, $18.04 in Homestead Exemptions, Assessor Lawrence Desadier reported a 2025 taxable value of $92,877,067, up from $89,212,225 in 2024.
Desadier said the assessor’s office is in compliance with state rules and that dates for the assessment books and board of review notices were advertised back in August, with 7 inquiries made during the 15-day public review period and no appeals received. He requested the Jury’s certification of the 2025 tax rolls, which was approved that same evening.
In other action, Jurors voted to advertise for bids on road materials and supplies for calendar year 2026 and renewed the Off System Bridge Replacement Program certification. They appointed Mark Files to the Saline Lake Game and Fish Preserve Commission for a four-year term to fill a vacancy.
Secretary-Treasurer Karen Tyler reported the first round of the RAC Agreement totals $147,870 in cash for materials and $146,779.76 in non-cash value for salaries and equipment. Bids for the Capital Outlay Frank White Road project will open Oct. 1 at 10 a.m. She noted the parish received final state FEMA reimbursements for 2016 flood projects, the road tax bond note is paid in full, and staff are evaluating new polling places for three precincts that had voted at the former Kindergarten School.
Road Supt. Perry Holmes said crews are grading and ditching with FEMA deadlines in mind and finished ditching on Moore Road with one grader temporarily down. Asst. Road Supt. Paul Hodnett said mowing is complete parishwide for one cycle and underway for a second, the pothole patcher is rotating through several communities, and bridge work is complete, including side-boom work on Tom Hudson Road.
Sheriff Josh McAllister explained his office has seized 50 to 60 animals since his installment and recently removed more than 30 dogs from a home in Joyce. He said the jail has added kennels and he may later seek help to offset the cost of a dedicated animal-control officer. Litter patrol is reduced while a supervisor attends the academy, and he has spoken with federal officials about opening ATV trails in the Kisatchie area to encourage commerce.