By Pat Culverhouse
Things that top of the Webster Parish Police Jury will remain the same during 2026, with a pair of long-time members again elected to serve in leadership positions.
Jim Bonsall, who represents District 6 on the jury, was unanimously elected President for the new year. Bonsall has served on the jury since 2005 and as president each year since 2015.
District 11 juror Steve Ramsey was again named Vice President and will continue in that capacity in addition to serving as Chairman of the jury’s road committee.
Also during Tuesday’s meeting, jury members:
- Appointed Lisa Balkom Secretary-Treasurer and Alicia Owens Assistant Secretary-Treasurer for two-year terms.
- Agreed to continue holding police jury regular meetings on the first Tuesday of each month at 10:30 a.m. in the courthouse annex.
- Approved the proposed 2026 budget and amended 2025 budget for operation of the North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory Commission.
- Approved a resolution for temporary change of polling location in the parish, to be filed with the Secretary of State.
- Ratified local hospital tax assessment agreement with additional providers and certify documents.
- Awarded bid for engineering services for DR 4611 grant projects to the firm Cotten, Graff & Smoak Engineering. Bids were opened Dec. 11,2025.
- Approved renewals of 2026 licenses for video poker (3), beer sales (6) and high alcohol content (2).
- Accepted reports from various parish agencies.