By Marilyn Miller
The Dixie Inn Board of Alderman unanimously approved the retirement of veteran Police Chief James Edwards during its monthly meeting on Tuesday, July 11. Chief Edwards thanked the board for “allowing me the resources to do what I needed to do” over the past 15 years. Altogether, Edwards has been a member of the Dixie Inn Police Dept. for 22 years. Mayor Donna Hoffoss and Aldermen Judy McKenzie, Nell Finlay, and Lance Milligan unanimously thanked the chief for his many years of service.
Sgt. Alan Davis will become the temporary chief effective Aug. 1, 2023. He has been with the DIPD since 2014.
Giving his last report, Chief Edwards said that he has been in touch with the Webster Parish School Board Tech Support Dept. and that they are willing to make a presentation at the next meeting regarding an Information Technology contract for the police department. Work would include setting up email, installing firewalls, etc. The village would likely compensate the WPSB on an hourly basis.
In other business Tuesday night, the board entered into a yearly agreement with Taylor Sudden Service Generators of Bossier City to service the village’s two natural gas generators at a cost of $1,724 (for both). The generators are located at the water plant and the Village Hall.
Mayor Hoffoss reported that the AARP has approved a $20,000 grant to install four “shade sails” in the City Park; that the Healthy Communities Program has approved an $8,000 grant for a trash trailer; and that the Webster Parish Police Jury will pay $8,000 towards the cost of a new $13,192 X-Mark mower. Maintenance supervisor Mike Chreene recommended that the Village sell its used mower.
The Board unanimously:
- Adopted a resolution that amends verbiage in the Community Development Block Grant Program’s “Citizen Participation Plan;”
- Adopted the Utility Fund Budget for July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024;
- Adopted the Minutes of the June 2023 Regular Session, and;
- Adopted the Financial Statements for the June 2023 Regular Session.
