LPPJ Shows Prudent Side

In a fit of frugality, the Lincoln Parish Police Jury last night quickly disposed of or delayed for further discussion several agenda items that would have cost the taxpayers at least $100 thousand had they approved them. It was a welcome display of thrift with the taxpayer’s money.

Commenting on the thrift, District Eight Juror and President R. G. “Skip” Russell said, “You will see more of this over the next few months. We intend to make further savings.”

The Jury’s Public Works Committee tabled discussion of hiring a contractor to train and oversee personnel to apply herbicide along the parish roadways. One juror commented that they could send the employees to a seminar rather than paying a contractor for training, thereby saving the taxpayers some money. The Jury had budgeted $20 thousand for vegetation management.

The committee also terminated a contract with the Sheriff’s Office for the Jury’s part in funding of an Animal Control Officer.

Next, the committee discussed installing GPS tracking devices on Jury vehicles to combat unauthorized usage. Preliminary proposals were from $40 thousand to over $50 thousand for equipping about 50 vehicles. The committee took no action, but agreed to further study the issue.

The Solid Waste Committee discussed the wood waste disposal contract and agreed to look into the possibility of a contractor grinding the wood for mulch or fuel pellets instead of burning it as is done now.

Trailblazer RC&D was given permission to set up bins at the Jury’s dumpster mega sites around the parish.

When it came to Trailblazer’s proposed lease of the old highway barn on Road Camp Road and a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Jury, the committee put the kibosh on things. They allowed the lease agreement to proceed, pending review by the Jury’s legal counsel Andy Shealy, but the CEA was tabled. The committee balked at the $40 thousand in taxpayer handouts wanted by Trailblazer.

This point is interesting, because Trailblazer had made a big public relations push with two editorials – here and here – in the Ruston Daily Leader and two news stories – here and here. It is curious that Trailblazer uses the Leader as their flack. They are one of the main litterbugs in the parish, throwing sale papers in driveways that remain yellowing in the sun until someone picks them up or dogs carry them off and scatter them to hell and gone.

The Utilities Franchise Committee approved a twenty-five year franchise agreement with Claiborne Electric Cooperative to supply power to residents and allow them to use public right-of-ways for their transmission lines.

The Finance Committee reviewed and discussed the interim budget and took no action as the budget is reasonably on target with original projections.

The Louisiana Community Development Block Grant Committee agreed to pursue a grant for a new water well for the Mt. Olive Water System.

The full Jury adopted an ordinance establishing the Lincoln Parish Geographical Information District, but not without some debate. District Five Juror David Hammons moved to table the proposal and delay it for ninety days, but the motion was defeated. He said some of his constituents had reservations about the issue and he wanted time to discuss it with them. During the discussion, counsel Andy Shealy reminded the jurors that they had unanimously asked State Representative Hollis Downs to author the enabling legislation and that the issue had been discussed many times in previous meetings.

It is of note the ordinance adopted contains in section 130.795 provision for taxes. However, according to Jury counsel Shealy, the District cannot call a tax election – the Police Jury must make the call.

The Jury adopted millage rates for the year 2009, which are the same as last year. The rates were increased last year.

A resolution was adopted to contract with Aillet, Fenner, Jolly and McClelland for about $51,000 to survey, engineer and administer improvements to Rough Edge Road at Liner Street.

Also discussed was the possibility of a private prison locating in Lincoln Parish. Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce President Scott Terry said the facility could employ up to 400 and would have a population of “low-impact” inmates – illegal immigrants and non-violent drug offenders. Discussions are very preliminary, he said, and we would likely be in competition with many other localities around the state.

After committee reports, Lincoln Parish News Online commented during the public comments portion of the meeting that with our new world-class GIS and Information Technology department, perhaps an update of the LPPJ’s website could be forthcoming. Or at least an effort could be made to keep the agendas and minutes up to date.