By Paige Gurgainers
The Webster Parish Police Jury (WPPJ) convened for their regular meeting yesterday, Aug. 6, where they approved their Audit of Financials for 2023. Ms. Jennie Henry, CPA with Allen, Green and Williamson presented their report.
According to Henry, the WPPJ received a clean opinion.
Overhead liability increased to $7.2 million. Last year it was $24.2 with the sale of the landfill.
“I don’t think anything this year would have measured up to that because it was a one-time event,” said Henry.
The ad valorem tax increased to $402,000 with the sales tax increasing to $219,000.
The report shows an un-earned revenue of $2.5 for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money. This is grant money that hasn’t been spent by the WPPJ as of December. According to Henry it must be obligated by the end of the year and spent by 2026.
Henry also mentioned the ongoing opioid settlement with numerous pharmaceutical companies. The police jury signed a memorandum of understanding to sue these companies along with many other entities across the state. “Once legal and administrative expenses are taken out, that money is dispersed to governmental agencies,” she said. “Right now, the schedule is over 18 years that it will be dispersed. It is the understanding that Webster Parish will get .72 percent of any that is dispersed.”
The rest of the agenda was unanimously approved which included the adoption of minutes from July 2, approval of appointing April Shaw as Chairman and Emmett Jones as member for the Evergreen Fire Protection District, approval of precinct survey forms of Webster Parish voting precincts having less than 300 registered voters and approval of the donation of immovable property to St. James Water System.
The WPPJ also publicly announced an upcoming meeting to be held on Sept. 3, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. in the Police Jury Meeting Room to consider adopting a resolution ordering and calling for an election to authorize and levy an ad valorem tax.
According to WPPJ President Jim Bonsall this tax is renewed every ten years and is to be used for courthouse and building maintenance.