Keywords:
Minutes
Public Hearing Meeting
Town of Iowa
115 N. Thomsom
Iowa, LA
August 10, 2026
7:00 p.m.
Mayor Douglas Watkins called a public hearing to order at 7:00 p.m. Present Mayor Watkins; Council Members: Julie Fontenot, Joe Becnel, Vernessa Guillory and Gerald Guidry, Absent: Daniel Hennigan.
Also, there were present Internum Town Clerk Elise Lane, Town Attorney Russell Stutes, III, Chief of Police Keith Vincent and about 25 citizens.
Mayor read the title of Ordinance 2026-08, An Ordinance rescinding Ordinance 2026-05, an ordinance annexing certain property into the Town of Iowa, Louisiana, in accordance with the provisions of the Revised Statues of the State of Louisiana, title 33, Section 172, following the petition of Progressive Merchants, Inc. and due advertisement. Mayor Watkins asked if there were any questions or comments. None were made.
Public Hearing was closed at 7:01 p.m.
Minutes
Regular Meeting
Town of Iowa
115 N. Thomsom
Iowa, LA
August 10, 2026
7:00 p.m.
Mayor and Town Council met in regular session this date in compliance with all requirements as to notice.
Present: Mayor Dean Watkins; Council Members: Julie Fontenot, Joe Becnel, Vernessa Guillory, and Gerald Guidry; Absent: Daniel Hennigan. [quorum present].
Also, there were present Internum Town Clerk Elise Lane, Town Attorney Russell Stutes, III, Chief of Police Keith Vincent and about 25 citizens.
Mayor Watkins established a quorum was present.
Invocation by Council Member Joe Becnel, followed by Pledge.
It was moved by Vernessa Guillory, seconded by Julie Fontenot with the amendment to the agenda to change item #9 to a motion to accept from Waste Pro of Louisiana. The motion was passed unanimously.
It was moved by Julie Fontenot, seconded by Vernessa Guillory to approve minutes of Regular Meeting on July 13, 2026, and special meeting on July 27, 2026. The motion was passed unanimously.
It was moved by Julie Fontenot, seconded by Joe Becnel to approve the variance for mobile home to be moved at 307 S. Knapp St. The motion was passed unanimously.
Keith Vincent, Chief of Police discussed the following items:
A. 5% COLA raises for employees
B. Reinstatement of Health Savings Account
C. Reinstatement of Family Insurance Supplement
D. Reinstatement of Short-term disability
E. Review ordinance for compensation of Chief of Police
F. Legality of prior benefits paid to Chief of Police in regard to the Ordinance setting his compensation for Chief of Police
G. Purchase order for 2026 Ford Expedition for Police Department.
Mayor Watkins encourages the council to get with the Town Attorney in regards to the vehicles.
It was moved by Joe Becnel, seconded by Julie Fontenot to approve the hiring of Joshua Welch, as a patrolman. The motion was passed unanimously.
Mayor Watkins discussed the Enterprise Fleet Service with Keith Vincent in regards to keeping the police department fleet with new vehicles.
Mayor Watkins discussed the CAD for Police Department that they are piggy backing off of the Calcasieu Parish Sheriffs Office.
It was moved by Julie Fontenot, seconded by Vernessa Guillory to approve Resolution 2026-09 for the selling of 2022 Harley Davidson motorcycle in the amount of $8,000 to Welsh Police Department. The motion was passed unanimously.
Resolution 2026-09
A resolution providing for the exchange of moveable surplus property to a political subdivision.
WHEREAS, the Town of Iowa no longer has need of 2022 Harley Davidson motorcycle, VIN 1HD1FHP1XNB621269; and
WHEREAS, Town of Welsh, Louisiana is in need of a police motorcycle; and
WHEREAS, The Town of Iowa hereby acknowledges the public service provided by Town of Welsh Police Department; and
WHEREAS, Article VII, Section 14 of Louisiana Constitution allows the exchange of surplus moveable property between political subdivisions.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Town Council Members for the Town of Iowa, Louisiana, in regular session this date does hereby authority Mayor Douglas N. Watkins to execute a Bill of Sale in exchange of eight thousand dollars ($8,000.00) for the above described motorcycle.
WHEREAS, this resolution was declared adopted on this the 10th day of August, 2026.
APPROVED:
Douglas N. Watkins, Mayor
ATTEST:
Cynthia Mallet, MMC
Mayor Watkins discussed Ordinance Property Compliance guide whether to mail out the notice to the residents or put the guide on the towns website.
It was moved by Gerald Guidry, seconded by Joe Becnel to accept the proposal from Waste Pro of Louisiana, Inc. for solid waste services. The motion was passed unanimously.
Mayor Watkins discussed the plans to make some changes to the Senior Center/Community Center.
It was moved by Vernessa Guillory, seconded by Julie Fontenot to adopt Ordinance 2026-08. The motion was passed unanimously.
ORDINANCE 2026-08
An ordinance rescinding Ordinance 2026-05, an ordinance annexing certain property into the corporate limits of the Town of Iowa, Louisiana, in accordance with the provisions of the Revised Statues of the State of Louisiana, title 33, Section 172, following the petition of Progressive Merchants, Inc. and due advertisement.
BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and the Iowa Town Council of the Town of Iowa, Louisiana, in Regular Session convened:
That the Town of Iowa does hereby rescind Ordinance 2026-05, An Ordinance annexing certain property into the corporate limits of the Town of Iowa, Louisiana, in accordance with the provision of the Revised Statutes of the State of Louisiana, title 33, Section 172, following the petition of Progressive Merchants, Inc. and due advertisement.
Said Ordinance having been introduced on the _____day of July, 2026 the title having been read, and appropriate public advertisement completed:
The above ordinance was adopted at a duly convened meeting on motion of Vernessa Guillory, seconded by Julie Fontenot, upon a vote taken as follows:
YEAS: Julie Fontenot, Joe Becnel, Vernessa Guillory, Gerald Guidry
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Daniel Hennigan
ABSTAIN: None
WHEREUPON, the presiding officer declared the above ordinance duly adopted on the 10th day of August 2026.
DOUGLAS N.
WATKINS, MAYOR
I certify that the above ordinance was presented to the Mayor on the ________ day of August 2026.
CYNTHIA MALLETT, TOWN CLERK
I, acknowledge receipt of the above ordinance from the Town Clerk on this _________ day of August 2026.
DOUGLAS N.
WATKINS, MAYOR
I, hereby approve the above ordinance on this _______ day of August 2026.
DOUGLAS N.
WATKINS, MAYOR
I, certify that the above ordinance was received by me from the Mayor on this ________ day of August, 2026.
CYNTHIA MALLETT, CLERK
It was moved by Julie Fontenot, seconded by Gerald Guidry to approve project for new sewer manhole located on 1st Street by KT Construction. The motion was passed unanimously.
Mayor Watkins introduced Ordinance 2026-09, An ordinance providing for the levy and collection of a one percent (1%) sales and use tax (tax) by the Town of Iowa, Louisiana, (Town), in perpetuity beginning July 1, 2027, in accordance with the provisions and terms of Chapter 2D of Subtitle II, Title 47 of the Louisiana revised statutes of 1950, as it may be amended (uniform local sales tax code).
It was moved by Joe Becnel, seconded by Julie Fontenot to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 8:29 p.m.
ATTEST:
Douglas Neal Watkins, Mayor
Cynthia Mallett,
MMC
Aug 27 1t
2133343
Notice Cost- $224.50