By Marilyn Miller
The Village of Dixie Inn had a “brief, but happy” monthly meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 14, highlighted by the delivery of an early Christmas present from Webster Parish Police Jury member Mike Griffith.
The parish is “making more money with the Webster Parish Landfill being sold, than us owning it,” Griffith told the aldermen and mayor. He explained that the interest earned off of the $40 million investment from the sale of the landfill is largely used to finance new equipment and infrastructure costs. However, every municipality in the parish receives a yearly stipend from the earned interest. Dixie Inn receives $8,000.
“I got you some more money,” Griffith said, receiving an ovation from the board. “You were making $8,000 a year, and I got you $8,000 more, for a $16,000 a year total from the police jury.”
Griffith added that he will keep coming to the board meetings because “I am here for you. And at least you are getting some money back from the landfill.”
A hiring freeze in the Police Department was rescinded by a unanimous vote of the board. Chief Alan Davis explained that he would open the “new applications” window from Nov. 15, 2023 through Jan. 2, 2024.
In other police business, Mayor Donna Hoffoss introduced Ordinance 99-F, which will be available for public inspection at the Village Hall from Nov. 15 through Dec. 5. The ordinance will go before the aldermen at the next monthly meeting on Dec. 12, 2023.
The proposed ordinance is as follows: “An ordinance amending Ordinance 99 – A, D, E and all amendments thereto of the Cod of Ordinances of the Village of Dixie Inn, Louisiana, to revise Section 101-Pay Scale for new hires, Section 101.1 changing hours worked to 84 hours in a 14-day pay period with over-time starting at 84 hours, change the longevity pay increase.”
Chief Davis also reported that 75 pounds of prescription-type drugs were dropped off for disposal on “National Drug Take-Back Day” two weeks ago; and that the first camera registered under the “Watch-Guard” warranty program has been replaced.
In other business, the board:
- Approved the September and October Minutes; and the October Financial Report;
- Amended the Budget for the 2022-2023 fiscal year “with corrections” because the Village had more income in one area, and to reflect pay to the Webster Parish School Board for collecting the Village’s taxes;
- The new garbage trailer is in, with the required logo for “Keep Louisiana Beautiful;”
- The Main-to-Main street sale was very successful in Dixie Inn and many thanks go out to the departments which participated in the clean-up both before and after the weekend event;
- In the Water Department, new scales have been installed beneath the chlorine bottles; new chlorine analyzers have been installed, and chlorine regulators replaced.
