Police Jury approves numerous items during special session

The Evangeline Parish Police Jury held a special session on December 28 to discuss and approve a slew of measures.
At the meeting, the jury discussed funding changes for the District Attorney and District Judges Offices. The changes would include the payment of monthly allowances to the District Attorney and Judges offices in allowing them to pay their own monthly billings. The District Attorney’s office will also handle their payroll however; the District Judge’s office will remain being handled through the Police Jury Office.
The jury decided that by moving forward with those changes will help eliminate any possible auditing violations. The motion was approved and allowance will start in February 2016.
The jury also stated in the meeting that the proposed budgets as submitted for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2016 and ending December 31, 2016 for all funds hereby be adopted, with an amendment made in Road District Two Fund which would include a $3-per-hour salary increase to Public Works Director, Chester Granger.
The jury approved that amendment unanimously.
The jury then discussed workers compensation proposals received for the fiscal year 2016. The two lowest quotes that the jury received were from Parish Government Risk Management Association (PGRMA) for $135,737.00 and Bridge Field Casualty Insurance for $159,269.00.
Bridge Field Casualty Insurance will also allow an additional $10,000 discount with binding agreement which will bring the premium down to $149,269.00. PGRMA has the parish’s current policy and the 2016 premium is down $84,500 from 2015.
The motion was made, and later carried, to approve the standard market proposal received from Bridge Field Casualty Insurance Company for the amount of $159,269 contingent upon receiving a $10,000 binding agreement discount.
Other items that were approved at the meeting:
• A resolution applying for $100,000 in funding from the Office of Community Development for proposed improvements to the Evangeline Parish Courthouse, new police jury office building and other projects.
• The jury agreed to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the Evangeline Parish Police Jury and Chicot State Park to assist with the park’s maintenance needs.
• The use of the Industrial Development Boards (IDB) CD funds for expenses associated for Chairman, Dr. “ToJo” Ward to attend the National Site Selector’s Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.
• A election in Ward Five Fire Protection District of the Parish of Evangeline on Saturday, April 9, 2016 to authorize the levy of a special tax.
• The dissolving of Ville Platte Gravity Drainage District No. 10, which incorporates parts of Police Jury Districts 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.
• Approving Crooked Creek Recreational Park the charge of sales tax on campers. Sales tax will be charged to those reserving camp sites, cabins, and the pavilion.
• Authorizing the Industrial Development Board (IDB) to utilize funds in CD for use of paying ongoing expenses. This request is to access $15,000 per year.
• The reappointment of Randy Fruge and Albert Neil Lejeune to the Acadia Evangeline Fire Protection District.
• The donation of recreational equipment from Dr. Paul Miller to the Evangeline Parish Recreational District.
• Kim Ortego appointed as Manager for Crooked Creek Recreational Park.
• The abandonment of property, a portion of a parish road identified as Gas Street.
• The approval of a liquor license for Debra D. Moreau.
• Pam Hall appointed as Ward 3 Justice of the Peace.