By Marilyn Miller

The Dixie Inn Board of Aldermen went into special session during their regular monthly meeting Tuesday to receive comment from the public on the proposed adoption of Ordinance 90-B, regarding the maintenance of fencing between commercial properties within the village limits.

Questions were fielded concerning private property fences, which are not included in the ordinance. The ordinance lays out stipulations for keeping fences in good condition, including a warning letter, a fine, and finally taking the issue to a magistrate.

The board returned to regular session, and the motion to adopt Ordinance 90-B was unanimously accepted.

The board also unanimously agreed to fork over $41,000 for seven new tasers for the Dixie Inn Police Dept. However, Mayor Donna Hoffoss softened the financial blow when she explained that the deal with the Axon Store calls for a five-year payout, or $8,219.00 a year.

Chief of Police Jeffrey McNeill explained that the package includes training for his officers and covers the cost of cartridges for the lasers. The department is presently paying $26 for each cartridge and the tasers are 23 years old. “I know it’s a lot of money…I get it,” Chief McNeill said, explaining that Dixie Inn is saving $19,000 by bundling the deal. “It’s not a want, it’s a need,” he added. The old tasers have a 25-foot range, while the recommended tasers will shoot from 45 feet.

The board voted unanimously to purchase the seven new tasers.

In other police business, Chief McNeill asked for the approval of funds for the purchase of signage to clarify the times of set-up and take-down for events like “Main to Main” and for “No Parking” signs along Hwy. 80 during those same times. “It’s a hazard (the parking along the highway). It’s a safety thing.” Motion was approved unanimously.

The February Police Report was presented as follows: Traffic Stops, 35; Citations, 10; Arrests, 0; Lemis Reports, 17; Non-Lemis Calls, 16; Building Checks, 47; Backups, 9; Public Assists, 28; Calls for Service; 26; and Accidents, 7.

The public will have until April 1 to review two proposed ordinances to increase the mayor’s compensation (Ordinance #112) and the aldermen’s compensation (Ordinance #92). The ordinances will be available for inspection at the Village Hall. They will be voted on at the April 8 meeting of the board.

In other business, the board:

• Approved an invoice of $1,400.00 from Hawkins for a 175 gal. containment vessel/tank for caustics. The tank was mandated by the Louisiana Dept. of Health after a recent inspection of the Dixie Inn Water Dept., according to Water supervisor Mike Day;
• Approved the Minutes of the February Regular Session and Workshop on Feb. 28, 2025;
• Approved the Financial Statements for February;
• Mayor Hoffoss reported that she has submitted the paperwork for two grants which will help with funding of projects in Dixie Inn.