By Marilyn Miller
After convening in regular session on Tuesday, April 8, the Dixie Inn Board of Aldermen, went into a special public session to discuss the adoption of two ordinances regarding compensation for the Village’s mayor and aldermen.
Ordinance #92-D proposed raising the monthly compensation for the office of alderman from $550 to $850, with $150 for special meetings. Ordinance #112-B proposed raising the mayor’s bi-weekly compensation to $1,150.
The two compensation ordinances were available for public inspection from March 11 until April 1 at the Town Hall. They were both approved unanimously and will go into effect on May 25, 2025.
A containment vessel/tank for caustics, which was mandated by the Louisiana Dept. of Health after an inspection of the Dixie Inn Water Dept., will cost the Village an additional $815, since the original vessel will not fit through the door of the water department. The deviation was discovered in the drawing stage by the contractor, Hawkins. The project will cost $2,215, plus freight.
Two and a half years ago, the Board approved the construction of bathrooms in the Village playground/park. Dixie Inn Mayor Donna Hoffoss stated that a preconstruction meeting took place last week and that the project has finally gotten going, with Perryman Welding Services as contractor. Dixie Inn Chief of Police Jeff McNeill reminded the public that the park will be closed during construction.
Kenneth Trent, Wastewater Technician with the Louisiana Rural Water Association (LRWA) introduced himself to the board Tuesday night. The LRWA provides membership to water and/or wastewater systems, small municipalities, individuals and vendors associated with the water and/or wastewater industry.
Trent, who lives in Sulphur, is in Webster Parish visiting small municipalities and letting them know that he is available to help them with grants, on-site technical assistance, water studies, and more.
In other business, the Board:
- Heard the Mayor’s Report. This is “Fair Housing Month,” Mayor Hoffoss said, and April 5-13 has been declared “Love the Boot Week.” Cleaning projects are encouraged, and citizens are allowed to put larger trash items, white goods, electronics, etc. beside the curb for pick-up;
- Heard the Chief’s Report for March: Traffic stops, 40; Citations, 7; Arrests, 0; Lemis Reports, 9; Non-Lemis calls, 29; Building Checks, 66; Backups, 8; Public Assists, 32; Calls for Service, 38; and Accidents, 2. Total income from fines, etc. was $1,409.50;
- Adopted the (corrected) Minutes of the March regular session and adopted the Financial Statements for March.