By Marilyn Miller
The rate of pay for STEP officers serving the Village of Dixie Inn has been unanimously raised from $45 an hour to $60 an hour. The new rate was recommended to the Board of Aldermen by Mayor Donna Hoffoss at the September regular meeting.
“The STEP program has really benefitted Dixie Inn,” Mayor Hoffoss said. “If you want to stay competitive, this is what you do.” The additional funds will come from the STEP program itself.
Illustrating her point, at the beginning of the hour-long meeting the Board approved a resignation this month by Officer Andrew Evans, who was taking a job with the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office. By the end of the meeting, Evans had withdrawn his resignation.
In other police matters, the Board approved an increase in pay for Chief McNeill by $5.00 per hour since he is now also responsible for the Maintenance Dept. “He does a lot,” said Alderman Lance Milligan.
The police department was also given authority to begin looking for a “new” used car, which will bring the number of vehicles to five. “The STEP program needs two cars,” Milligan pointed out.
In other business, the aldermen unanimously approved:
- A quote from Jellum Services, LLC to repair the roof of the Water building (not to exceed $1,800);
- A motion to insulate and place a new ceiling and new lights in the Maintenance Building (not to exceed $5,000). All work will be done in-house “with our crew;”
- A report from Alderman Judy McKenzie on possible annexations, with the first consideration being given the area of Hwy. 371 west to the Bossier Parish line. Homeowners in that area will be sent mail-outs with a questionnaire attached. The WP Tax Office will update the list of addresses before the letters can be mailed out. “I want to see what people’s interests are,” said Mayor Hoffoss;
- Water Dept. supervisor Scot Day reported that the leak has been repaired in the Water building;
- Mayor Hoffoss reported that the Dept. of Wildlife & Fisheries was completing a grant to fund the construction of a stand near the boat launch to loan out life jackets to people who don’t have one;
- Alderman Nell Finlay reported that there were holes in the boat launch on Dorcheat Bayou. “I’m surprised someone hasn’t broken an axle,” she said. “We should ask the Webster Parish Police Jury to take a look at it.”
- Alderman Milligan reported that he has been in talks with Entergy about placing LED lights on some roads and streets in the village, especially that area between Rascoe’s and Stanley Street “which is very dark.” Ricky Thomas, who is seeking a seat on the Webster Parish School Board and was in the audience, recommended that the board seek a grant to do the work if Entergy won’t.
Below: Dixie Inn resident Ricky Thomas visited with the Board of Aldermen for the village. (Photo by Marilyn Miller)
