By Bonnie Culverhouse

Minden Police Department has a new lieutenant and two new officers, thanks to a unanimous vote by Minden City Council Monday.

With councilmen Charlie Thomas and Andy Pendergrass, absent, the vote was 3-0 to promote Sgt. Anthony Miller to the rank of lieutenant, while Morgan Taylor Jester and Kevin LaVack are full-time police officers. Both are P.O.S.T. certified and have passed Fire and Police Civil Service exams.

In other business, the council also voted unanimously for the following items:
• Amending the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 budgets;
• Adopting a resolution to appoint Nicholas A. Cox as director and Tyler Wallace as alternate director on the Louisiana Energy and Power Authority (LEPA) board of directors;
• Adopting a resolution authorizing Cox to execute a lighting agreement with Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for lighting at U.S. 371/KCS RR overpasses;
• Adopting a resolution for annual certification of compliance with State of Louisiana Off-System Bridge Replacement Program;
• Adopting an ordinance for the annual bridge maintenance report;
• Entering into a cooperative endeavor agreement between the City of Minden and City of Minden Ward 1 Marshal, allowing the City of Minden’s insurance to cover the Ward Marshal’s vehicles as well as maintenance and repair expenses; and,
• Reappointing of Michael Davis to Minden Planning Commission.