LaSalle Corrections, Lincoln Parish to Part Ways

The Lincoln Parish Detention Center Commission and LaSalle Corrections have reached an agreement that terminates the remaining five years on LaSalle’s contract to operate the Lincoln Parish Detention Center. At a meeting of the commission this afternoon, the commission voted 4-0 with one abstention (Sheriff Mike Stone) to pay LaSalle a net of about $200 thousand, and allow the commission to assume operation control of the detention center on July 1 of this year.

LaSalle has since 2008 provided manpower and services at the facility located on Road Camp Road.

The commission, which “owns” the detention center, is made up of Lincoln Parish Sheriff Mike Stone, District Attorney Bob Levy, Ruston Police Chief Steve Rogers, Lincoln Parish Police Jury President Skip Russell, and LPPJ District Nine’s Joe Henderson.

First Assistant District Attorney Andy Shealy said that LaSalle owed about $300 thousand for sponsor fees, and in turn the commission owed LaSalle about $400 thousand for repairs, furniture and equipment, and transport vans. Also to be paid to LaSalle is another $100 thousand to reimburse for fuel and personnel for the parish litter crew. That money will be paid by the LPPJ.

Commission members praised LaSalle and their team for their work at the facility

Said DA Levy, “I too wish to commend LaSalle. Billy (LaSalle CEO Billy McConnell) you and your family and employees have taught us a lot and helped us a lot. For that, we are very grateful.”

In other business, the commission got a update on maintenance at the facility. The malfunctioning doors are to be repaired starting mid-month, and AC/Heat work has another bid due shortly so that work on that area can begin.

About 170 inmates are housed at the Lincoln facility, while about 80 are housed at other locations.

Lincoln Detention Center Commission Meeting Tomorrow

A meeting of the Lincoln Parish Detention Center Commission will be held tomorrow (Friday, 6/7), 2:00 PM, Lincoln Parish Court House, third floor.

See here the agenda.

LP Fire Chief on “Extended Leave”

Lincoln Parish Fire Protection District No 1. Chief Dennis Ford is on what was described as “extended leave” from his job, it was revealed at last night’s meeting of the district’s Board of Commissioners.

The issue came up under the agenda item on appointment of an Interim Fire Chief.

Lincoln/Union First Assistant District Attorney Andy Shealy, who last night served as an informal legal adviser to the board, said Ford could be on leave for some time.

Said Shealy, “Chief Ford has requested some leave – extended leave period – which would open for a temporary appointment of someone to fill that position.”

The discussion focused on how the state civil service rules would govern on the issue of vacancies. Shealy said he would research the issue and report his findings to the board.

District Chief Danny Cross said he could handle the department’s day-to-day operations regarding fire-fighting duties, but that some administrative matters that Ford customarily handled might go lacking for a while.

One administrative function that was strengthened was a resolution regarding approval of bill payments and time sheets. The new rule requires a signature by the board chairman or vice-chairman, and the district chief or the secretary.

The board also decided to meet monthly for at least the next few months on the third Tuesday of the month, starting in July. Also established was a procedure for calling a special meeting of the board. Such a meeting can be called by a majority of the board.

Last night’s meeting saw three new board members: Ricky Durrett, representing Simsboro; Richard Aillet, representing the Lincoln Parish Police Jury (LPPJ); and Bart Dugdale, representing Vienna.

There was an extensive discussion – but no decision – on the annual $72 “structure fee” levy that is assessed on Lincoln Parish property owners. The issue has been contentious since the former board chairman had raised the possibility of levying the fee on structures heretofore not taxed.

The fire district is responsible for designating what is and isn’t taxed, and relaying that information to the Lincoln Parish Tax Assessor.

Shealy presented to the board a draft resolution that would codify the existing historical definition of a “structure” since the district’s creation in 1990.

See here the document.

Shealy emphasized that the resolution wasn’t a suggestion, but was a draft to prompt discussion on the issue.

Also presented was a list of suggested structures that might be added to the assessment rolls. The list was garnered from recommendations by the Property Insurance Association of Louisiana (PIAL).

See here the document.

There was agreement that the board needed a bit of time to study the issue, and to receive input from the public and other interested parties.

Also presented to the board was a letter from Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Mike Strain, who said he was soliciting further opinion from the attorney general regarding imposition of taxes on agricultural structures.

See here the letter.

Another draft resolution was discussed, this one dealing with a procedure for removal of structures and their fees from the tax rolls. The board agreed to take the matter under advisement and make a decision at a later meeting.

See here the document.

Finally, the board agreed on the need to form several committees (finance, personnel, buildings and equipment, etc) that would take advantage of each individuals expertise, and to help advise the board as a whole. The need for establishment of written governance policies and procedures was also discussed.

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LP Fire District Meeting Tomorrow

The Board of Commissioners for the Lincoln Parish Fire District No. 1 will meet tomorrow (Tuesday, June 4), 5:00 PM, Vienna Fire Station, 4786 Highway 167, Dubach.

See here the agenda.

Notable is the following:

Consider and take action regarding appointment of Interim Fire Chief

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Local Weather Advisory – Lincoln Parish

LINCOLN PARISH OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Kip Franklin
(318) 513-6200
kfranklin@lincolnparish.org

Lincoln Parish, Severe Weather Awareness

The potential for severe weather for Tuesday to early Wednesday morning may expand eastward to include the northwest and north central portions of Louisiana. In addition to hail, damaging winds and tornados the threat of flash flooding will be a concern with any high precipitation supercells or multi-cell storms forming in lines. Any tornadoes that may develop may be rain wrapped making them hard to spot during daylight hours.

The National Weather Service, Shreveport has a special webinar scheduled for Tuesday morning at 10 am. Local officials will tune in to the webinar to stay advised of the severe weather threats and parish residents are urged to tune in to local media venues for updates in weather conditions. For Ruston area residents, please heed the warning to seek shelter indoors should the City of Ruston Outdoor Warning System be activated. Lincoln Parish has also implemented the Alert FM system for severe weather and local emergency notification. Residents may purchase an Alert FM receiver at Hi-Tech Computers at 715 West California Ave. or download the Alert FM App. It is available for both Apple iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod) and Google Android devices. The App can be downloaded from the Apple iTunes (http://imap.tv/2k) or Google Play (http://imap.tv/fmgp) stores. In-App purchases are optional for both versions.

Kostelka Request for AG Opinion

Last week we reported upon an opinion from the Louisiana Attorney General (AG) that indicated agricultural and other structures might be subject to a $72/each “structure fee” payable to the Lincoln Parish Fire District No. 1.

The opinion (13-0031) was requested by Louisiana State Senator Robert “Bob” Kostelka (District 35) last January.

See here the letter.

Here are the pertinent parts of the request:

The Fire District is experiencing budgetary problems and one of the issues is whether or not they are collecting all of the service fees or assessments to which they are entitled. Apparently, the fee is not being assessed on agricultural buildings and it is mentioned that agricultural buildings are exempt from property taxes. However, I see no such exemption in the election proposition or in RS 40:1502.1. Further, the election proposition seems clear that the fee or assessment should be levied against any and each residential or commercial unit on property within the district including even mobile homes.

Therefore, I will believe you will see that an opinion from your office is necessary to decipher and explain what assessments the Fire District is entitled to, and what the assessor is empowered to charge and collect.

Lincoln Parish News Online (LPNO) will continue to cover this story.

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Lincoln Fire District “Structure Fee” Would Apply to Each Chicken House

The proposal by Lincoln Parish Fire District No. 1 Board of Commissioners Chair Tom Thompson to levy the district’s $72/year “structure fee” to barns and other agriculture related buildings would result in the fee being assessed against EACH structure, according to a letter Thompson sent to Lincoln Parish Tax Assessor Sheila Bordelon.

I’m also keenly aware of what chicken house owners will have to say, but per the opinion, the $72 structure fee will apply to each chicken house.

See here the letter.

Today’s (4/19/13) Morning Paper has a comprehensive article about this latest fire district controversy. It’s easily worth the 50 cents for anyone interested in this ongoing story.

Lincoln Fire District Still Wants Structure Fee for Chickenhouses

The issue of what Lincoln Parish structures are to be assessed the $72 “structure fee” that partially funds operation of the Lincoln Parish Fire District No. 1 has flared up again. An opinion from the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office (AG) suggests that the fee can be levied on structures that normally are exempt from ad valorem (property) taxes.

From opinion 13-0031:

Therefore, a residential or commercial structure exempt from ad valorem taxation under La. Const. art. VII, § 21 is not exempt from a service charged imposed under La. R.S. 40:1502.1.

The opinion was solicited by State Senator Bob Kostelka (District 35).

Late last year, then Lincoln Parish Tax Assessor Pam Jones opined that agriculture buildings were exempt from the fee.

See here our 12/26/12 news report.

It is unclear what steps the fire district will try next to take, or if it will try to unilaterally attempt to impose fees on structures that historically have been exempt.

Lincoln Parish Detention Center Commission to Contract with LPSO to Operate Jail

On a motion by Lincoln Parish Police Jury (LPPJ) President Skip Russell (District Eight), the Lincoln Parish Detention Center Commission this morning voted to negotiate a contract with the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office (LPSO) to assume operation of the parish jail on Road Camp Road.

The vote was 4-0-1, with Sheriff Mike Stone abstaining.

Since 2008, the commission has contracted with LaSalle Corrections to staff, operate, and maintain the facility.

The target date for the changeover is July 1, 2013.

The commission is made up of Stone, Russell, Ruston Police Chief Steve Rogers, Third Judicial (Lincoln, Union Parishes) District Attorney Bob Levy, and is chaired by LPPJ’s Joe Henderson (District Nine).

In accordance with LA RS 15:848, et seq., the commission owns the jail (on behalf of the Lincoln Parish Taxpayers), and is ultimately responsible for the facility. Funding is provided by a one-quarter cent levy on sales within the parish that collects about $2 million/year.

Cost overruns are made up from the jury and the City of Ruston at a ratio of 85/15. Over the past few years, that has overage has amounted to several hundred thousand dollars.

Russell’s motion state:

“…that we accept the recommendation of the Jail Study Committee, and that the Lincoln Parish Detention Center Commission take over the management and the operation of the Lincoln Parish Detention Center, and that we contract with Sheriff Mike Stone to manage the day-to-day operations of the detention center. And I’d also like to include in this motion that we authorize Chairman Henderson of the Detention Center Commission, along with the representative from the City of Ruston, to negotiate the contracts and the agreements with both Sheriff Stone and LaSalle Management, to effect this change, and that a suggested date of transition might be July the First. And also include in that motion that those – any contracts or agreements be brought back to this commission for final approval.”

RPD Chief Rogers seconded.

Another motion by Russell authorized the commission to expend funds as necessary to fund the transition, and it was seconded by Henderson. The motion limited the funding to what the sales tax provides only.

During discussion, DA Levy suggested that such a cap might be too restrictive, and that cost might be more than the tax brings in.

A maximum amount above the tax was discussed ($200 to $250 thousand), with those monies to be funded from the jury and the city at that 85/15 ratio.

In lieu of that cap, a friendly amendment was proposed by Henderson to include revenues from Department of Corrections prisoners, work release earnings, telephone toll fees, and commissary earnings as also available to pay the transition costs.

In the motion Henderson stated, “…that the transitional costs would come from ‘revenues,’ instead of the state motion of one quarter cent sales tax.”

At present, those monies are kept by LaSalle, in addition to the nearly $30/day per prisoner that is paid to them by the parish.

Both the amendment and the motion passed on a 4-0-1 vote, with Stone again abstaining.

Some Commentary

Props are due LPPJ President Skip Russell for what happened this morning.

Over the past couple of years as jail costs spiraled out of control – with the LPPJ and the City of Ruston on the hook for the overages – we witnessed much hand-wringing over what to do and what agency was responsible.

But nobody ever stepped up.

Immediately after his election as jury president in January, Russell took it upon himself to get the interested parties together and work to find a solution that could see the jail operating within its budget.

He didn’t ask permission – he just did it.

Such a thing is called leadership.

Whatever else Russell does or doesn’t do in the future as a public servant, his work over the past couple of months with the jail issue should earn him the undying gratitude of Lincoln Parish Taxpayers.

This is not to minimize the efforts of ALL the interested parties that helped get to where we are today, but there has to be someone who is willing to be the facilitator between the various interests.

Well done, Mr. Russell.

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Lincoln Parish Detention Center Commission Meeting Tomorrow

The Lincoln Parish Detention Center Commission will meet tomorrow (Friday, 3/23), 10:00 AM, Lincoln Parish Courthouse, third floor, LPPJ conference room.

See here the agenda.

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