Police Jury adopts sales tax ordinance

The Evangeline Parish Police Jury approved a handful of agenda items during its February meeting held Monday night.
The jury voted to adopt an ordinance which stated that if a parish business is not up to date on its sale taxes, that delinquency would result in the renewal of its liquor permit and professional permits being affected. It was also stated that if one of those business owners disputes the amount of the sales tax he or she owns, that they still are forced to pay those taxes “under protest” while the appeal process is pending.
Public Works Director Chester Granger informed the jury during his report that the main phase of the removal of abandoned and decaying properties in Ville Platte had been completed. “As of today all the houses that are torn down and have been hauled off.” Granger did add that those lots still need to be cleaned up and landscaped.
Secretary-Treauser Donald Bergeron reported to the group that collections of sewer accounts serviced by the Reddell/Vidrine Water System have begun. Bergeron stated that 19 customers who are seriously delinquent, meaning 90 days past due, have been sent a certified letter advising if payment is not handled immediately, water to that property will be shut off. Bergeron added that seven customers have come in to make payment arrangements, but that the system has an additional 38 accounts to send letter to.
Bergeron also stated there was a meeting held with Sen. Eric Lafleur (D-Ville Platte) about the condition and capacity of the parish jail. He noted this is “preliminary groundwork” to try and figure out what options we have as far as rebuilding, moving prisoners, etc. When asked about using the Basile correctional facility, which was recently closed, Bergeron stated that the Florida-based group that owns the property said that they would lease the facility at the price tag of $3 million per year, which Bergeron indicated is well above what they can spend.
Other items that the jury approved were:
•Move voting precinct 01/1080 and 01/1081 back to the Northside Civic Center. The precincts were temporarily moved to the Evangeline Parish Courthouse last fall due to a scheduling conflict.
•To grant a liquor permit to Ellis Guillory who is reopening the Angel Food Store No. 2, located at 6460 Pine Point Road in Ville Platte, and renaming it E&J Community Grocery.
•To re-establish the Evangeline Parish Drainage District #10 Advisory Committee. The committee, which was disbanded years ago, still has approximately $154,000.00 in its account. The new board will have representation from Districts 1, 5, 7, 6, 8 and 9.