By Paige Gurgainers
The Webster Parish Police Jury (WPPJ) began its regular monthly meeting Tuesday with a public hearing regarding a millage proposition for the Webster Parish Council of Aging (COA).
The election is set for December 2024 and proposes a 1.75 mills tax to be collected from all taxable properties within the parish. If the proposition passes it is expected to generate an estimated $500,000 per year beginning in 2025 and ending in 2034.
The funds will be used to support the construction, improvement, maintenance, operation and all programs for the elderly in the community. There were no comments made by the public and the jury approved a resolution ordering a special election to authorize the millage increase for the COA.
The jury also approved to enter a contract with Carlisle Thompson, LLC, effective June 23, 2024, through June 22, 2025, with a cooperative endeavor agreement in place with E&P Consulting Service, LLC. They will be overseeing future sales of adjudicated property in the parish.
“They handle all the paperwork, and it takes a load off our office staff,” said WPPJ President Jim Bonsall. “They are also helpful with the people trying to buy it. Hopefully they will help us move some of these properties. They’re just supposed to be experts at selling.”
Parish Attorney Patrick Jackson agreed.
“I think it’s a great thing for Webster Parish to try,” he said. “It’s like hiring real estate agents. We need someone out there promoting us and getting this done.”
A Call for Public hearing was approved to discuss proposed millage rates for the WPPJ. According to Webster Parish Tax Assessor Denise Edwards this is a reassessment year, which occurs every four years. Edwards explained the assess-value has increased and when that happens the millage rate decreases, that way the revenue stays neutral, but the jury has the option to roll forward. If the jury decided to “roll forward” using last year’s set millage rate, they could potentially increase their revenue by $157,000 from all districts excluding the library. Bonsall proposed to “roll forward” to offset inflation rates.
Another agenda item included the approval for Cothren, Graff, Smoak Engineering, Inc. To begin the bidding process for the new Webster Parish Women’s jail that will be built on Penal Farm Road.