The Winn Parish Police Jury at its final meeting of the year wrapped up 2023 business and set in motion its routine for the new year. There were no public comments during a special session on its amended budget for 2023 or its proposed budget for 2024 so the jury approved both. President Josh McAllister noted that anyone may come to the Police Jury office to view those documents.
Road superintendent Perry Holmes gave what he called “a short and sweet” summary of December roadwork in Winn. Grading is going well and weather has even allowed ongoing bushhogging to knock down vegetation that may hamper drivers’ line of vision at intersections. The crew has been able to work on pothole patching three or four days a week and the parish is still getting rock. Work on the FEMA projects “is going good and we may be done by next year.” He also said that requested work in Sikes has been completed.
In other action, when Kirk Miles reported that monthly invoices totaled $897,969, he remained fellow members that while this is higher than normal, a large portion of that was payment on repairs to the Joe Frazier Road which came out of DOTD monies.
Frank McLaren recommended renewal of Workers’ Comp insurance through A.J. Gallagher & Co. for $24,763 with Bridgefield Casualty Insurance, a savings of $7,000 over 2023 costs.
Deionne Carpenter recommended renewal at the same price of the mowing contract with J.T.’s Lawn Care. Jurors agreed that his work is good.
Tammy Griffin recommended a resolution to assist the Village of Calvin with repairs to Front Street and to 3rd Street, 4th Street, 5th Street, 6th Street and 7th Street.
McAllister recommended the appointment of Chad Blundell to the Saline Lake Game & Fish Preserve Commission for a two-year term to replace Joe Kelley and the reappointment of Lionell Johnson to the Winn Parish Library Board for another five-year term. Also to the Winn Parish Fire Board, he recommended the reappointment of each Brad Cooper and Josh Hood, both of whom he noted have been assets to the board.
The lawmakers also agreed to the authorization to transfer federal opioid funds to offices of the District Attorney and District Judge as discussed at a prior meeting. The jury “will essentially act as a clearinghouse of the funding to the Judge and DA while the Sheriff’s Office will receive funding directly,” explained McAllister.
