Ville Platte Gazette
January 4, 2026
Legal Notice
EVANGELINE PARISH POLICE JURY
SPECIAL MEETING
DECEMBER 22, 2025
The Police Jury met in special session assembled with the following members present: Bryan Vidrine, Tim Causey, Daniel Arvie, Ryan Ardoin, Brent Guillory, Sidney Fontenot, Darion Arvie, and Keith Saucier. Absent and excused was Kevin Veillon. A quorum was present.
There were no comments from the public regarding the agenda items.
Randy Deshotel with the Clerk of Court addressed the Jury regarding the Economic Development Building. Mr. Deshotel is requesting from the Jury in renting out this building at $2,500 per month for storage of records/documents. Motion was made by Bryan Vidrine and seconded by Tim Causey authorizing the President and Secretary-Treasurer negotiating the terms of a lease agreement with the Clerk of Court for the leasing of the Economic Development Building at $2,500 per month. Motion carried.
Mrs. Anna Frank, Section 8 Director addressed the Jury with approvals needed for the Section 8 agency.
Motion was made by Keith Saucier and seconded by Daniel Arvie approving the Section 8 HUD fair market rent and payment standards for 2026. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Sidney Fontenot and seconded by Daniel Arvie approving the Section 8 HUD Administrative Plan with HOTMA new rent calculations rule for the fiscal year 2026. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Daniel Arvie and seconded by Tim Causey approving the Section 8 HUD utility allowance for 2026. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Brent Guillory and seconded by Darion Arvie approving the Section 8 HUD submission of Semap and Agency Annual Plan. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Sidney Fontenot and seconded by Tim Causey approving Section 8 Agency transition from EHV to HCV effective December 1, 2026. Motion carried.
The Industrial Development Board terms of office was then discussed. Motion was made by Bryan Vidrine and seconded by Keith Saucier approving to referred this to the Police Jury’s Legal Counsel.
Motion was made by Sidney Fontenot and seconded by Bryan Vidrine approving to utilize the remaining Water Enrichment Grant Funds for the abandonment of the water well located at Industrial Park. Motion carried.
It was stated that the Chauncey Pitre Barn will be receiving grant funds for repairs and updates to be made around the facility. Grant has not been received at this time. It was recommended to form a 9-person committee to discuss what to do with these funds when received. Motion was made by Bryan Vidrine and seconded by Keith Saucier approving to create a Chauncey Pitre Barn Committee to consist of three (3) Jurors, and also members from the 4-H office, FFA, Public Works Director, Rodeo Association, Evangeline Riding Club and Bayou Western. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Daniel Arvie and seconded by Tim Causey approving to adopt the following resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Evangeline Parish Police Jury having published notice of public hearing and said public hearing having been held, that the proposed budget amendments for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2025 and ending December 31, 2025 for all funds hereby be adopted;
This resolution having been submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was as follows:
YAYS: Tim Causey, Sidney Fontenot, Ryan Ardoin, Bryan Vidrine, Keith Saucier, Darion Arvie, Brent Guillory, Daniel Arvie.
NAYS: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: Kevin Veillon.
The above and foregoing resolution was hereby adopted this 22nd day of December 2025.
Motion was made by Bryan Vidrine and seconded by Darion Arvie approving to adopt the following resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Evangeline Parish Police Jury having published notice of public hearing and said public hearing having been held, that the proposed budget appropriations for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2026 and ending December 31, 2026 for all funds hereby be adopted;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, discontinuing the funds appropriated to the Grant Writer out of General Fund;
This resolution having been submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was as follows:
YAYS: Tim Causey, Sidney Fontenot, Ryan Ardoin, Bryan Vidrine, Keith Saucier, Darion Arvie, Brent Guillory, Daniel Arvie.
NAYS: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: Kevin Veillon.
The above and foregoing resolution was hereby adopted this 22nd day of December 2025.
After the 2024 Workers Compensation audit dispute it was revealed that the Police Jury will have some funds reimbursed back to the parish. Also, a proposal was received by LWCC with a 5% increase in the premium for the fiscal year 2026.
Two (2) quotes were also received for General Liability Insurance if the Jury would be interested which are as follows:
Option #1
($1,000,000 coverage with a $250,000 Retention) $78,637.50
Option #2
($2,000,000 coverage with $250,000 Retention) $125,820.00
A quote was also presented for the Office Building and various new structures out at Crooked Creek Recreational Park. With a $2,500 deductible, premium came out to $6,275.00.
Motion was made by Darion Arvie and seconded by Daniel Arvie approving the Workers Compensation proposal submitted by LWCC with a 5% increase for the fiscal year 2026. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Darion Arvie and seconded by Tim Causey approving the 2026 Employee rehire list as submitted. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Daniel Arvie and seconded by Bryan Vidrine approving to adopt the 2026 Proposed Budget as presented by the Acadiana Crime Lab. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Tim Causey and seconded by Darion Arvie approving to adopt the following resolution:
WHEREAS, Bids were opened and reviewed on December 22, 2025 for Pest Control Services, Limestone, Grader Blades, Gravel, Emulsified Asphalt, Diesel, Corrugated Polyethylene Pipe, Hot/Cold Mix; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the low bids submitted as listed on the tabulation of low bids attached hereto and made a part thereof be and they are hereby accepted beginning January 1, 2026 and ending December 31, 2026.
Above and foregoing, having been submitted to a vote, was unanimously adopted this 22nd day of December 2025.
Motion was made by Darion Arvie and seconded by Keith Saucier approving the billing from Gunter Construction, Inc. for additional upgrade repairs done at the Ville Platte Health Unit Building in the amount of $15,000. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Keith Saucier and seconded by Darion Arvie approving to adopt a resolution authorizing the President of the Evangeline Parish Police Jury and/or the Secretary Treasurer to sign any and all documents necessary to fulfill and complete all requirements of the La Department of Treasury and/or the State of Louisiana and any other entity, public or private in order to affect the distribution of funds to itself to assist with their general expenditures for repairs and improvements at its Chauncey Pitre Barn Facility with Funds in the amount of $50,000 appropriated to the Evangeline Parish Police Jury in Lines 1 thru 4 of Page 35 of 95 in ACT 461 of the 2025 Regular Legislative Session of Louisiana. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Bryan Vidrine and seconded by Daniel Arvie approving to amend existing Ordinance Sec 28-45. – Specifications applying as to roads and highways to include:
(6) General.
a. All permits regarding this section shall be valid for no more than 60 days.
Motion carried.
Public Works Director gave the following report:
• Parish wide drainage equipment is currently at the Ville Platte yard.
Parish Engineer, Ronnie Landreneau, stated to the Jury that the gas line to extend to Rixby Manuel intersection to Chicot Park Road is now complete. The line is active and Mr. Landreneau is recommending the Jury to accept this work as complete and turn over to the City of Ville Platte for maintenance and operations with the exception that the Parish will continue to maintain control of any taps that are made into that line moving forward.
Requesting the Jury, in regards to the Courthouse Project, to remove the elevator from the plan and placed under its own project. Motion was made by Darion Arvie and seconded by Keith Saucier to approve moving forward with the Courthouse Project as recommended by Parish Engineer. Motion carried.
Secretary-Treasurer gave the following reports:
• Monthly budget to actual comparison reports have been emailed to each juror. No questions or comments were reported on those reports.
• Each juror has been given a copy of the new rates as recommended by Park Manager at Crooked Creek Recreational Park.
Motion was made by Keith Saucier and seconded by Sidney Fontenot supporting Secretary-Treasurer in moving forward with reaching out to the State requesting the overlaying of some state roads (Mercy Road, McClelland Road). Motion carried.
Motion was made by Keith Saucier and seconded by Tim Causey approving to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.
/s/ Ryan Ardoin
Ryan Ardoin, Vice-President
/s/ Dirk Deville
Dirk Deville, Secretary-Treasurer
010426
Cost is $285.00