Homer Guardian-Journal
October 2, 2026
MINUTES
Of the Regular Meeting, of
The Claiborne Parish Police Jury
10:00 a.m.
September 9, 2026
Police Jury Chambers
507 West Main Street
Homer, LA 71040
The Claiborne Parish Police Jury met in regular session in the Jury Chambers of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury Complex, located at 507 West Main Street in Homer, LA at 10:00 a.m. on the 9TH Of September 2026, on being called to order by President Scott Davidson, the following jurors were present:
Mark Furlow, Kevin Gray, Mary McDaniel, Scott Davidson, Paul Cook, Joeseph Merritt, Malcolm Cooper, Gil Dowies, and Willie Young.
District One Juror Larry Ford was absent.
There were 25 others in attendance which included Secretary-Treasurer Dwayne R. Woodard, Parish Road Superintendents Brant Cupp and Chad Verdin, Sheriff Sam Dowies, Claiborne Tax Assessor Katie Coburn, Claiborne Parish Library Director Pam Suggs, LSU Extension Assistant County Agent John Monzingo, Claiborne OOCS Director April Childress, Claiborne OEP Director Dennis Butcher, Debra Baggett-Woodard FNP, Warden Michele Dauzat from Wade Correctional Center, Claiborne Electric Director of Communications Emma Lee Tingle, Randal Smoak of Cothren, Graff, Smoak Engineers, 2nd Judicial District Public Defender Steve Gatlin, Claiborne Parish DART Representative Rosalind Penegar, Jerry Hillidge of Homer, Mrs. Kathryn Thomas and Mr. Nick Campbell of Connections LLC, Candidate for 2nd JDC DA Mrs. Tammy Gantt Jump, Mr. Len Gantt of Mt. Olvie Christian School, along with the MOCS Senior Civics Class, Mrs. Barbara Morris, and Mr. Jim Slaton of Athens.
There was a Road Committee Meeting held at 9:00 a.m. in the Conference Room.
President Scott Davidson called the meeting to order and welcomed the Mt. Olive Christian School Civics Class.
The meeting was opened with a word of prayer led by Joe Merritt followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Paul Cook.
Upon motion by Kevin Gray, duly seconded by Paul Cook, the Jury unanimously voted to adopt the Regular Agenda as presented.
Upon motion by Mary McDaniel, duly seconded by Joseph Merritt, the Jury unanimously voted to amend the agenda and add the following item: (District Two Juror Mark Furlow and District Three Juror Kevin Gray recused themselves from voting on this item)
1. Resolution 2026-017 - A Resolution to dissolve CPHSD #1 and to transfer immovable properties to the CPPJ
Upon motion by Rev. Willie Young, duly seconded by Gil Dowies, the Jury unanimously approved the following consent agenda:
Consent Agenda
1. Approval of August 5, 2026, regular meeting minutes as published in the Official Journal.
2. Payment of the August 2026 bills as approved by the Claims Committee.
3. Request from Warden Michele Duzat of David Wade Correctional Center, in a letter dated August 6, 2026, requesting assistance from the Claiborne Parish Hwy Department for use of the side-boom cutter and the placement of two stop signs on the prison campus. The work will be performed under the Parish’s mutual aid agreement with the prison.
4. Request from Mayor Ann Brown of the Village of Athens, in a letter dated September 2, 2026, requestion that the CPPJ Hwy Department deliver a load of dirt to the village for their use. The Jury will be reimbursed for the cost of the materials under the Village’s ad valorem tax credit.
Wade Correctional Center Warden Michele Dauzat expressed her gratitude to the Jury for the years of support and assistance when needed.
Regular Agenda
Reminder – one (1) hour of ethics training is required to be completed by December 31, 2026, for all Jurors and Parish Employees. - https://laethics.net/EthicsTraining/login.aspx
Reminder – one (1) hour of Sexual Harassment Training is required to be completed by December 31, 2026, by all Parish Employees – Department Heads and Jury Officers have a two (2) hour training requirement. - https://www.lma.org/LMA/LMA/Programs/Online_Training.aspx
Reminder – one (1) hour of Cybersecurity Training is required for all employees who have access to the Police Jury’s computer network system. - https://www.lma.org/LMA/LMA/Programs/Online_Training.aspx
At this time, President Scott Davidson read aloud a public notice - NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special election will be held within the CP Sales Tax District on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026, and that at the said election there will be submitted to all registered voters in the District qualified and entitled to vote at the said election under the Constitution and Laws of the State of Louisiana and the Constitution of the United States, the following proposition, to-wit
At this time, President Scott Davidson read aloud a public notice - NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special election will be held within the CP Sales Tax District No. 2 on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026, and that at the said election there will be submitted to all registered voters in the District qualified and entitled to vote at the said election under the Constitution and Laws of the State of Louisiana and the Constitution of the United States, the following proposition, to-wit
President Scott Davidson read aloud a public notice - The CPPJ has called a hearing to request input from the public about its annual plan to discuss the Mission, Goal an Objectives of the Section 8 Housing Assistance Programs administered by the CPPJ. The hearing will be held on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 1:00 pm in the conference room of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury Administrative Building located at 507 W. Main St, Homer, LA 71040.
President Scott Davidson read aloud a public notice – The Sabin Parish Police Jury is hosting the Region IV PJAL Meeting that will be held on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 6:00 pm at Cypress Bend Resort in Bossier City. Please see Leigh Ann to RSVP.
At this time, Mrs. Tammy Jump, Candidate for District Attorney for the 2nd Judicial District gave a presentation of her platform and her plans for the office if the 2nd District Attorney’s Office.
Upon motion by Gil Dowies, duly seconded by Paul Cook, the Jury unanimously voted to leave the regular meeting session and enter a Public Hearing for the 2026 Board of Review.
At this time, Claiborne Assessor Katie Coburn presented the assessed property values for the 2025 property tax rolls. The total Assessed Value of property in Claiborne Parish for the tax year 2026 is $146,486,409 of which $19,935,859 is Homestead Exempted property.
Assessor Katie Buckner stated that she has not received any formal objections to the assessments by phone, email, or in person reported to her office. Secretary-Treasurer Dwayne R. Woodard stated there have been no challenges via email, regular mail, phone, or in person regarding the 2026 assessments.
Upon motion by Kevin Gray, duly seconded by Paul Cook, the Jury voted to leave the Public Hearing for the 2026 Board of Review and return to the regular meeting of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury.
Upon motion by Gil Dowies, duly seconded by Kevin Gray, the Jury unanimously accepted the assessed property values for the 2026 property tax rolls.
Upon motion by Mark Furlow, duly seconded by Kevin Gray, the Jury unanimously voted to extend the time to accept bids until October 5th, due to no one submitting a bid on the duly advertised bids for the Surplus Sale of Parcel No. 8320023150 1914 Main Street, Haynesville, LA (Old Planters/Cap One Bank Building & Parking Lot) and Parcel No. 8320032200 1920 Main Street, Haynesville, LA (adjacent lot).
Upon motion by Mary McDaniel, duly seconded by Paul Cook, the Jury unanimously accepted and awarded the lowest qualified duly advertised bids for the Parish Wide Generator Project (GOHSEP Project) that were received and opened to Central Electric of West Monroe, Louisiana in the amount of $481,000 based on the recommendation letter from CGS Engineering. These locations will be Claiborne Family Clinic, Family Medical Clinic, Homer Fire Station, Claiborne Parish Health Unit, Athens Fire Station, and a well on the South Claiborne Water System.
President Scott Davidson read aloud a letter, dated August 24, 2026, there was NO CHANGE in the cost of DINA Dental Plan that the CPPJ Offers to its employees for the 2026-2027 coverage year.
Upon motion by Kevin Gray, duly seconded by Malcolm Cooper, the Jury unanimously adopted Resolution 2026-016 – Authorizing Resolution for the Secretary-Treasurer to sign OOCS grand documents concerning 49 CFR 5311 and CFR 5339 programs.
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AUTHORIZING RESOLUTION
Resolution No. 2026-016
Resolution authorizing the filing of an application with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for a grant under any of the following FTA programs managed through the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.
• 49 CFR 5311, Formula Grant for Rural Areas
• 49 CFR 5339, Grants for Bus and Bus Facility Program
WHEREAS, the Secretary of Transportation and Development is authorized to make grants for mass transportation projects;
WHEREAS, the contract for financial assistance will impose certain obligations upon the applicant, including the provisions by it of the local share of project costs;
WHEREAS, it is required by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development in accord with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, that in connection with the filing of an application for assistance that it will comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the U.S. Department of Transportation requirements thereunder; and
WHEREAS, it is the goal of the Applicant that minority business enterprise be utilized to the fullest extent possible in connection with this project, and that definitive procedures shall be established and administered to ensure that minority businesses shall have the maximum feasible opportunity to compete for contracts when procuring construction contracts, supplies, equipment, or consultant and other services:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by Claiborne Parish Police Jury
1. That the Secretary Treasurer, Dwayne R. Woodard is authorized to execute and file an application on behalf of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, to aid in the financing of operating and/or capital assistance projects pursuant to FTA transit programs.
2. That the Secretary Treasurer and Executive Director is authorized to execute and file with such applications an assurance or any other document required by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, effectuating the purposes of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended.
3. That the Secretary Treasurer and Executive Director is authorized to furnish such additional information as the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development may require in connection with the application or financial reimbursement of the project.
4. That the Secretary Treasurer is authorized to set and execute affirmative minority business policies in connection with the project's procurement needs.
5. That the Secretary Treasurer is authorized to execute grant contract agreements on behalf of (legal applicant name) with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for aid in the financing of the operating or capital assistance projects.
6. That the Secretary Treasurer and Executive Director is authorized to sign and submit financial activity reports on behalf of (legal applicant name) with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for aid in the financing of the operating or capital assistance projects.
This resolution is applicable for a period of one year unless revoked by the governing body and copy of such revocation shall be furnished to the DOTD.
CERTIFICATE
Scott Davidson, the undersigned duly qualified and acting President of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury, certifies that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of a resolution, adopted at a legally convened meeting of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury held on September 9, 2026 .
If the applicant has an official seal, impress here.
************************************Upon motion by Gil Dowies, duly seconded by Mark Furlow, the Jury unanimously approved the lease agreements for the Harris Community Polling Place and the Crossroads Community Polling Place as presented by the Claiborne Parish Clerk of Courts Office.
Upon motion by Paul Cook, duly seconded by Malcolm Cooper, the Jury unanimously adopted Resolution 2026-017 – A Resolution to dissolve CPHSD #1 and to transfer immovable properties to the CPPJ.
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R E S O L U T I O N
2026-017
A RESOLUTION TO DISSOLVE CLAIBORNE PARISH HOSPITAL SERVICE DISTRICT NO. 1; TO REPEAL SECTION 54, SUBPARTS 56-60 OF THE CLAIBORNE PARISH CODE; TO TRANSFER ITS IMMOVABLE PROPERTIES TO THE CLAIBORNE PARISH POLICE JURY; AND TO AUTHORIZE THE PRESIDENT OR SECRETARY-TREASURER OF THE CLAIBORNE PARISH POICE JURY TO EXECUTE ANY DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THIS RESOLUTION
The following Motion and Resolution was offered by Paul Cook who moved for its adoption, and seconded by Malcolm Cooper at the September 9, 2026, Regular Meeting of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury.
WHEREAS, the Claiborne Parish Police Jury has determined that Claiborne Parish Hospital Service District No. 1 created by Claiborne Parish Police Jury Resolution of 1-6-66 Articles I – V codified in Claiborne Parish Code Section 54, subparts 56 – 60 is no longer in operation, having last operated in 2018 as reflected by its Legislative Audit filed for the period ending December 31, 2018;
WHEREAS, the remaining tangible assets of Claiborne Parish Hospital Service District No. 1 were absorbed by Claiborne Parish Hospital Service District No. 3 as reflected in its Legislative Audit filed for the period ending June 30, 2019;
WHEREAS, the only remaining assets of Claiborne Parish Hospital Service District No. 1 are immovable properties located in Haynesville, Louisiana;
WHEREAS, the Claiborne Parish Police Jury finds that it is in its interest and finds a public purpose in dissolving Claiborne Parish Hospital Service District No. 1 and transferring its remaining immovable property assets back to the Claiborne Parish Police Jury;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Claiborne Parish Police Jury that:
Section 1. The foregoing “Whereas” clauses are hereby adopted as set forth in the preamble to this Resolution.
Section 2. The Claiborne Parish Police Jury does hereby dissolve Claiborne Parish Hospital Service District No. 1 and repeals Section 54, subparts 56 – 60 of the Claiborne Parish Code and declares any property, specifically including the immovable properties located in Haynesville, Louisiana, transferred to the Claiborne Parish Police Jury pursuant to this Resolution.
Section 3. The President of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury, Scott Davidson, or its Secretary-Treasurer, Dwayne Woodard, is hereby authorized, empowered, and directed to take forthwith any and all such actions as may be necessary to carry into effect the provisions of this Resolution which is to dissolve Claiborne Parish Hospital Service District No. 1 and to transfer its remaining immovable property assets back to the Claiborne Parish Police Jury.
Section 4. The Claiborne Parish Police Jury adopts this Resolution for the purposes of dissolving Claiborne Parish Hospital Service District No. 1 by repealing Section 54, subparts 56 – 60 of the Claiborne Parish Code and to transfer the immovable properties owned by Claiborne Parish Hospital Service District No. 1 to the Claiborne Parish Police Jury.
Section 5. If any one or more of the provisions of this Resolution shall for any reason be held to be illegal or invalid, such illegality or invalidity shall not affect any other provision of this Resolution, but this Resolution shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal or invalid provisions had not been contained herein. Any constitutional or statutory provision enacted after the date of this Resolution which validates or makes legal any provision of this Resolution which would not otherwise be valid or legal, shall be deemed to apply to this Resolution.
Section 6. This Resolution shall immediately take effect upon adoption.
THUS DONE AND PASSED at a Regular Meeting of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury on the 9th day of September, 2026.
Ayes – (7) McDaniel, Cook, Davidson, Cooper, Merritt, Dowies and Young
Nays – (0) None
Absent – (1) Ford
Abstain – (2) Furlow and Gray – recused themselves
WHEREUPON, the presiding officer declared the above Resolution duly adopted in full on this 9th day of September 2026.
/s/Scott Davidson, President
/s/Dwayne R. Woodard, Secretary-Treasurer
************************************At this time, President Scott Davidson presented the Road Committee items.
Notice - A meeting has been scheduled for the Athens Area residents for information on the trash pickup sales tax propositions on September 28, 2026. Location will be either at the new Athens Fire Station or will be at the Village Town Hall depending on availability and accommodations.
A meeting has been scheduled for the Junction City Area for residents for information on the trash pickup sales tax propositions. It will be held at the Junction City Town Hall on Monday October the 12th.
Secretary-Treasurer Dwayne Woodard thanked Mrs. Emma Lee Tingle for allowing the Police Jury to host an informational meeting at their CEC Meeting for area residents concerning the upcoming tax propositions.
Upon motion by Gil Dowies, duly seconded by Mary McDaniel, the Jury unanimously approved the request from the Homer Golf Club for half of the cost of the installation of cameras at the Homer Golf Club to deter theft of property with the Police Jury portion of $4,000. Recent burglaries from patrons spurred the need for security cameras at the Golf Club.
Upon motion by Mary McDaniel, duly seconded by Paul Cook, the Jury unanimously approved the payment from the Opiate Class Action Lawsuit funds for Claiborne Parish of $80,000 to assist Claiborne Parish in the fight against opiate abuse to Connections LLC of Shreveport, LA.
Upon motion by Gil Dowies, duly seconded by Paul Cook, the Jury unanimously approved the payment from the Opiate Class Action Lawsuit fund of $50,000 to the Second Judicial Public Defender’s Office to be used in assistance with opiate abuse cases.
Upon motion by Kevin Gray, duly seconded by Malcolm Cooper, the Jury unanimously approved the request from the Airport District #31 for parking lot repairs to be done on a reimbursement basis.
Upon motion by Kevin Gray, duly seconded by Mark Furlow, the Jury unanimously approved the request from Claiborne Parish Tax Assessor Katie Coburn, for sharing cost of $5,000 per year for 3 years for the new fly over of the parish (total of $15,000).
Claiborne Parish Coroner Mark Haynes was absent and will present the September Coroner’s report at the October 7th meeting.
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ITEM #30 – September 9, 2026 – AGENDA
SECRETARY-TREASURER – UPDATE ON GRANTS AND OTHER ITEMS
1. LGAP Projects –
Claiborne Parish Police Jury
FY2022-2023 LGAP Grant
Amount $100,000
Project – Roof rehab/repair CPPJ Admin Building
Status – Bids received and accepted – Brazos Industries was awarded the bid. Construction is completed as of 11/4/2024. Certificate of completion filed and recorded. Preparing reimbursement for submittal to the State and working on close-out documents.
Claiborne Parish Police Jury
FY2023-2024 LGAP Grant
Amount $62,500
Project – Purchase of John Deere Tractor w/Loader
Status – awarded on September 18, 2024.
The tractor has been delivered. In the process of filing the reimbursement.
2. CWEF Projects -
South Claiborne Water System
FT2022-2023 CWEF Grant
Amount - $100,000
Project – Owens Booster Station Project (Hwy 146)
Status – Contract received and approved by the State. Project construction is completed as of 10/31/2024. Certificate of completion filed and recorded. Preparing reimbursement for submittal to the State and working on close-out documents
3. Sales Tax Collections for July 2026 – net of $65,705 from gross collections of $67,389
Net sales tax collections for June 2026 – $106,040 – decrease $-40,335 (-38.04%)
Net sales tax collections for July 2025 - $53,616 – increase $12,089 (22.55%)
4. Cash position on August 31, 2026 - $11,086,240
Cash position on July 31, 2026 - $11,442,460 (decrease of $-356,220)
Cash position on August 31, 2025 - $10,646,340 (increase of $439,900)
See Deposit Balances by Institution for breakdown on August 31, 2026 –
5. Total Receipts for the month of August 2026 – $534,290
6. Upcoming important dates and meetings –
9/10 – CPSB Meeting
9/14 – Haynesville Area Meeting
9/21 – Summerfield Area Meeting
9/24 – CPHSD #3 board meeting, CPWSD board meeting
9/30 – Agenda items due for Oct 7 meeting
10/6 – Construction Meeting CPL Haynesville branch
10/7 – October Meeting
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Additional Public Comments:
There were no public comments at this time.
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Upon motion by Paul Cook, duly seconded by Malcolm Cooper, the meeting was adjourned.
________________________ Dwayne R. Woodard
President
________________________ Scott Davidson
Secretary–Treasurer
(October 2, 2026)
_______________
MINUTES
Of the Special Called Meeting, of
The Claiborne Parish Police Jury
9:00 a.m.
September 15, 2026
Police Jury Chambers
507 West Main Street
Homer, LA 71040
The Claiborne Parish Police Jury met a Special Called Meeting in the Jury Chambers of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury Complex, located at 507 West Main Street in Homer, LA at 9:00 a.m. on the morning of the 15th of September, on being called to order by President Scott Davidson, the following Jurors were present:
Mark Furlow, Kevin Gray, Mary McDaniel, Paul Cook, Scott Davidson, Malcolm Cooper, and Willie Young, Sr., were present.
District One Juror Larry Ford, District Seven Juror Joseph Merritt, and District Nine Juror Gil Dowies were absent.
There were (3) three others in attendance: District Attorney Danny Newell, Mrs. Kathryn Thomas and Mr. Nick Campbell of Connections, LLC.
The meeting opened with prayer led by Willie Young, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Paul Cook.
Upon motion by Kevin Gray, duly seconded by Paul Cook, the Jury unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as presented.
Regular Agenda
Secretary-Treasurer Dwayne R. Woodard noted that the wording on the agenda posted about a road committee meeting was in error and there were no recommendations from the Road Committee.
After the unanimous vote to fund Connections LLC with $80,000 of the Jury’s opioid lawsuit funds for the treatment of opioid addiction here in the parish during the September 9th Regular Meeting of the Police Jury, the question came to bear on whether this clinic would be in direct competition with CMMC’s Intensive Outpatient Program.
District Ten Juror Rev. Willie J. Young wanted it on record that the Polie Jury voted unanimously to fund this group and that they should honor this vote. District Three Juror Kevin Gray said he felt that they were in direct competition with the hospital and that he errored in not asking the Jury during the meeting on the 9th to table this item for further discussion.
Upon motion by Mary McDaniel, duly seconded by Malcolm Cooper, the Jury unanimously voted to table revisiting the CPPJ’s decision to allocate $80,000 of the Parish’s Opioid Lawsuit Funds to Connections, LLC of Shreveport, LA for the establishment of an Opioid Treatment program in Claiborne Parish. This item will be placed on the October 7th, 2026, Road Committee agenda.
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Public Comments:
There were no additional public comments.
Upon motion by Mark Furlow, duly seconded by Rev. Willie Young the meeting was adjourned.
__________________________________________________
Dwayne R. Woodard
President Scott Davidson
Secretary–Treasurer
(October 2, 2026)
Miscellaneous Notices