Notice

Publication Date

2025-01-31

Subcategory

MINUTES

Of the Regular Meeting of

The Claiborne Parish Police Jury

10:00 a.m. Wednesday

January 8, 2025

Police Jury Chambers

507 West Main Street

Homer, LA 71040

Public Hearing #2 on the 2025 Proposed Budget was held at 9:00 am in the Conference Room of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury Administrative Building.

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 morning of the 8th of January 2025, on being called to order by 2024 President Scott Davidson, the following Jurors were present:

Larry Ford, Mark Furlow, Kevin Gray, Mary McDaniel, Paul Cook, Joseph Merritt, Malcolm Cooper, Gil Dowies, and Rev. Willie Young, Sr.

There were 18 others in attendance which included Secretary-Treasurer Dwayne R. Woodard, Parish Road Superintendents Mr. Chad Verdin and Mr. Brant Cupp, Sheriff Sam Dowies, Director of Libraries Mrs. Pam Suggs and Librarian Historian Mr. Wesley Harris, Claiborne Parish District Attorney Danny Newell, OOCS Executive Director Mrs. April Childress, Claiborne Parish Coroner Dr. Mark Haynes, Mr. David Greene of Republic Services, Town of Haynesville Mayor Roderick Hampton, Claiborne Parish Digital Liaison Jerry Hilledge, Claiborne Parish DART Representative Rosalind Penegar, Claiborne Family Medical Clinic NP Debra Baggett Woodard, Cornerstone Church of Homer Pastor Dr. Steve Fowler, Vince Ory of Homer, Jerry Whitton of Homer, Vincent Williams of Homer, and Carl Wilburn of Homer.

The meeting was opened with a word of Prayer led by Rev. Willie Young, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Paul Cook.

Upon motion by Joseph Merritt, duly seconded by Kevin Gray, the Jury unanimously voted to adopt the agenda as presented.

At this time 2024 President Scott Davidson turned the meeting over to 2024 Vice-President Mark Furlow to start the process of electing the 2025 officers of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury.

2024 Vice-President Mark Furlow opened the floor for nominations for the 2025 President of the Police Jury.

District 3 Juror Kevin Gray nominated 2024 President Scott Davidson as the 2025 President, this motion was seconded by Gil Dowies.

Upon motion by District Six Juror Paul Cook, duly seconded by District Four Juror Mary McDaniel, the Jury unanimously approved that the floor be closed to nominations for 2025 President.

By acclamation District Six Juror Scott Davidson was elected as the 2025 President of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury.

At this time 2024 Vice-President Mark Furlow turned the meeting back over to President Scott Davidson.

President Scott Davidson opened the floor for nominations for the 2025 Vice-President of the Police Jury.

District Nine Juror Gil Dowies nominated 2024 Vice-President Juror Mark Furlow for the position of 2025 Vice-President which was duly seconded by District Three Juror Kevin Gray.

Upon motion by District Ten Juror Rev. Wilie Young, duly seconded by District Four Juror Mary McDaniel, the Jury unanimously approved that the floor be closed to nominations for 2025 Vice-President.

By acclamation District Two Juror Mark Furlow was elected as the 2025 Vice-President of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury.

Upon motion by Mark Furlow, duly seconded by Gil Dowies, the Jury unanimously approved the following consent agenda:

Consent

1. Approval of the December 4, 2024, regular meeting minutes as published in the Official Journal.

2. Payment of the December 2024 bills as approved by the Claims Committee.

3. Request from DWCC Warden Michele Dauzat received on December 10, 2024, requesting two to three loads of ground asphalt to repair the driveway to the shooting range and Amanda Carney Training Center.

Regular Agenda

President Scott Davidson read aloud a notice that all Jurors and Parish Employees are required to complete one (1) hour of required ethics training by December 31, 2025.

President Scott Davidson reminded everyone that one (1) hour of Preventing Sexual Harassment Training is required to be completed by December 31, 2025 by all parish employees and that Parish Department Heads and Police Jury Officers have a two (2) hour training requirement.

Upon motion of Joseph Merritt, duly seconded by Gil Dowies, the Jury unanimously approved the President’s appointments for the following 2025 Committees of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury.

******

CLAIBORNE PARISH

POLICE JURY –

2025 COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

Revised – January 2025

Scott Davidson, President – ex-officio all

BUILDINGS & GROUNDS

Kevin Gray, Chair

Paul Cook

Malcolm Cooper

Larry Ford

Joe Merritt

CLAIMS

Mary McDaniel, Chair – Library

Paul Cook – Road & Equipment

Larry Ford - General

Kevin Gray – Buildings & Grounds

Malcolm Cooper – alternate

Gil Dowies - alternate

FINANCE

Gil Dowies, Chair

Mark Furlow

Paul Cook

Rev. Willie Young

Kevin Gray

GARAGE

Paul Cook, Chair

Malcolm Cooper

Larry Ford

Mark Furlow

Kevin Gray

GRANTS

Rev. Willie Young, Chair

Malcolm Cooper

Gil Dowies

Mary McDaniel

Joe Merritt

HOUSING

Committee is comprised of the Jury as a whole.

PERSONNEL

Mark Furlow, Chair

Paul Cook

Gil Dowies

Mary McDaniel

Rev. Willie Young

ROAD

Committee is comprised of the Jury as a whole.

WATER

Paul Cook, Chair

Gil Dowies

Mark Furlow

Mary McDaniel

Rev. Willie Young

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Upon motion of Kevin Gray, duly seconded by Malcolm Cooper, the Jury unanimously approved the Regular Meeting Dates of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury for the 2025 Year – normally the Wednesday following the first Sunday of every month unless otherwise noted.

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2025 Meeting Dates

February 5, 2025 – agenda closed at noon on January 29, 2025

+March 12, 2025 – agenda closed at noon on February 26, 2025

April 9, 2025 – agenda closed at noon on April 2, 2025

May 7, 2025 – agenda closed at noon on April 30, 2025

June 4, 2025 – agenda closed at noon on April 28, 2025

July 9, 2025 – agenda closed at noon on July 2, 2025

August 6, 2025 – agenda closed at noon on July 30, 2025

*September 10, 2025 – agenda closed at noon on September 3, 2025

October 8, 2025 – agenda closed at noon on October 1, 2025

November 5, 2025 – agenda closed at noon on October 29, 2025

December 10, 2025 – agenda closed at noon on December 3, 2025

January 7, 2026 – agenda closed at noon on January 2, 2026

+Changed due to Mardi Gras Holiday falling on Tuesday March 4, 2025 – March 12?

*Subject to change based on the date needed for the Board of Review of the Tax Roll – September 17

******

Upon motion by Gil Dowies, duly seconded by Paul Cook, the Jury unanimously approved the following Holidays for the Claiborne Parish Police Jury for the 2025 calendar year.

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2025 Holiday Dates

*Employee’s Birthday

2025 New Year’s Day – observed Wednesday, January 1, 2025

MLK Day – Monday, January 20, 2025

Mardi Gras – Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Good Friday – Friday, April 18, 2025

Memorial Day – Monday, May 26, 2025

Juneteenth – Thursday, June 19, 2025

Independence Day – Friday, July 4, 2025

Labor Day – Monday, September 1, 2025

Thanksgiving Holiday -Wednesday, November 26th – Friday, November 28th

Christmas Holiday – Wednesday, December 24th – Wednesday, December 31st

2026 New Year’s Day – Thursday, January 1, 2026

*Regular Full-time Employees Only

******

At this time, the President opened the floor for public comments concerning the 2025 Proposed Budget for the CPPJ. There were no public comments made at this time.

Secretary-Treasurer Dwayne R. Woodard stated that the Jury has held (2) two duly posted and advertised Public Hearings on the Jury’s 2025 Proposed Operating Budget. There have been no comments, questions or concerns via email, phone calls, regular mail, or in-person comments on Proposed Ordinance No. 806.

Upon motion by Kevin Gray, duly seconded by Mark Furlow, the Jury unanimously approved Ordinance No. 806 – Adoption of the 2025 Operating Budget for the Claiborne Parish Police Jury.

******

THUS INTRODUCED by Juror Kevin Gray and duly seconded by Juror Mark Furlow at a regular meeting of the Police Jury of the Parish of Claiborne, Louisiana on January 8, 2025.

For: (10) Ford, Furlow, Gray, McDaniel, Cook, Davidson, Merritt, Cooper, Dowies, and Young

Against: (0) None

Absent: (0) None

Abstain: N/A

ORDINANCE NO. 806

AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING AN OPERATING BUDGET OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2025, AND ENDING ON DECEMBER 31, 2025

BE IT ORDAINED by the Police Jury of Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, in a regularly called session, the Ordinance adopting an Operating Budget for Revenues and Expenditures for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2025, and ending December 31, 2025.

Section I. The following detailed estimate of Revenues and Expenditures for the Fiscal Year beginning January 1, 2025, and ending December 31, 2025, be and the same is hereby adopted and known as an operating budget for the Claiborne Parish Police Jury during the same period is as follows:

Revenues

Taxes:

Ad valorem $2,648,100 Sales & use 757,300

Other 3,200

Licenses and permits 120,600

Intergovernmental revenues 2,464,600

State revenue sharing 87,100 Fines and forfeitures 344,900

Grants and awards 300,000

Other revenues 34,900

Use of property and money 209,700

Total Revenues $6,970,400

Expenditures General government:

Legislative 146,700 Judicial 722,200

Elections 36,100 Finance and administrative 480,300 Other general government 427,000

Public safety 503,900

Public works 2,476,800

Sanitation 1,092,600

Health and welfare 24,600

Culture and recreation 634,400

Economic development and assistance 79,200

Debt service 75,200

Grants and rewards 400,000

Conservation 6,200 Total Expenditures 7,105,000

Excess (Deficiency) of Revenues Over Expenditures (134,600)

Other Financing Sources (Uses)

Proceeds from borrowing - Operating transfers in 1,000,000

Operating transfers out (1,000,000)

Total Other Financing Sources (Uses) -

Excess (Deficiency) of Revenues and Other Sources Over Expenditures and Other Uses) (134,600)

Contingency -

Fund Balance at Beginning of Year 10,805,083

Fund Balance at End of Year $10,670,483

Section 2. The adoption of this operating budget of expenditures be and the same is hereby declared to operate as an appropriation of the amount therein set forth within the terms of the budget classification.

Section 3. Amounts are available for expenditures to the extent that is included within the 2025 budget.

Section 4. The Police Jury will exercise control over expenditures at the functional level.

THUS ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Police Jury of the Parish of Claiborne, Louisiana on January 8, 2025.

/s/Scott Davidson

PRESIDENT

/s/Dwayne R. Woodard

SECRETARY-TREASURER ******

Upon motion by Kevin Gray, duly seconded by Paul Cook, the Jury unanimously approved Resolution 2025-001 – A Resolution Authorizing Signature Authority on the Parish’s Demand Deposit Accounts Effective January 8, 2025.

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RESOLUTION 2025-001

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT OF THE CLAIBORNE PARISH POLICE JURY TO HAVE SIGNATURE AUTHORITY ON ALL OF THE PARISH’S BANK ACCOUNTS AND INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS EFFECTIVE JANUARY 8, 2025

WHEREAS, the Claiborne Parish Police Jury elected new officers as of January 8, 2025;

WHEREAS, the Claiborne Parish Police Jury requires two signatures on all of the Parish’s bank accounts (demand accounts and certificates of deposit);

WHEREAS, the signatures shall be one (1) of the Secretary-Treasurer or Assistant Secretary-Treasurer and either the Parish President or Vice-President or both executive officers;

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that the Claiborne Parish Police Jury AUTHRORIZES the President Scott Davidson, Vice-President Mark Furlow, Secretary-Treasurer Dwayne R. Woodard, and Assistant Secretary-Treasurer Shelia W. Washington to sign checks on the Parish’s demand accounts on behalf of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury.

Upon a motion by Keving Gray and duly seconded by Paul Cook this motion was carried and officially adopted by the Claiborne Parish Police Jury meeting in regular session convened on Wednesday, January 8, 2025.

Yeas – (10) Ford, Furlow, Gray, McDaniel, Cook, Davidson, Merritt, Cooper, Dowies, and Young

Nays – (0) None

Abstain – N/A

Absent – (0) None

/s/Scott Davidson

President

/s/Dwayne R. Woodard

Secretary-Treasurer ******

Upon motion by Gil Dowes duly seconded by Paul Cook, the Jury unanimously approved Resolution 2025–002 – A Resolution Authorizing the President, Vice-President, and Secretary-Treasurer of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury to Have Signature Authority on Any and All Resolutions and Documents Concerning the Operations of the Parish for the Calendar Year 2025

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RESOLUTION 2025-002

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT, AND SECRETARY-TREASURER OF THE CLAIBORNE PARISH POLICE JURY TO HAVE SIGNATURE AUTHORITY ON ANY AND ALL RESOULTIONS CONCERNING THE OPERATION OF THE PARISH FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 2025

WHEREAS, the Claiborne Parish Police Jury elected new officers as of January 8, 2025;

WHEREAS, the Claiborne Parish Police Jury requires signatures on certain resolutions and formal documents during the year concerning the operation of the Parish and its activities;

WHEREAS, the signatures shall be one (1) of the Secretary-Treasurer, the Parish President or Vice-President or a combination of any two (2) executive officers;

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that the Claiborne Parish Police Jury AUTHRORIZES the President Scott Davidson, Vice-President Mark Furlow and Secretary-Treasurer Dwayne R. Woodard to sign documents on behalf of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury.

Upon a motion by Gil Dowies and duly seconded by Paul Cook this motion was carried and officially adopted by the Claiborne Parish Police Jury meeting in regular session convened on Wednesday, January 8, 2025.

Yeas – (10) Ford, Furlow, Gray, McDaniel, Cook, Davidson, Merritt, Cooper, Dowies, and Young

Nays – (0) None

Abstain – N/A

Absent – (0) None

/s/Scott Davidson

President

/s/Dwayne R. Woodard

Secretary-Treasurer ******

Upon motion by Kevin Gray, duly seconded by Mark Furlow, the Jury unanimously approved Resolution 2025–003 – A Resolution Authorizing the Executive Director of the Claiborne Parish Office of Community Services, Mrs. April Childress, to Sign and Execute Any Documents on Behalf of Claiborne Parish Concerning the Operation of Said Office for the Calendar Year 2025.

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A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APRIL CHILDRESS AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CLAIBORNE PARISH OFFICE OF COMMUNITY SRVICES TO SIGN AND EXECUTE ANY DOCUMENTS ON BEHALF OF CLAIBORNE PARISH CONCERNING THE OPERATIONS OF SAID OFFICE FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 2025

WHEREAS, the Claiborne Parish Police Jury has hired Mrs. April Childress effective August 18, 2021, to fill the title of OOCS Executive Director;

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that the Claiborne Parish Police Jury AUTHRORIZES the Executive Director, Mrs. April Childress to sign and execute documents on behalf of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury relating to the day-to-day operations of the Office of Community Services; including any grants or grants related documents for the Calendar Year of 2025.

Upon a motion by Kevin Gray and duly seconded by Mark Furlow this motion was carried and officially adopted by the Claiborne Parish Police Jury meeting in regular session convened on Wednesday, January 8, 2025.

Yeas – (10) Ford, Furlow, Gray, McDaniel, Cook, Davidson, Merritt, Cooper, Dowies, and Young

Nays – (0) None

Absent – (0) None

Abstain – N/A

/s/Scott Davidson

President

/s/Dwayne R. Woodard

Secretary-Treasurer ******

Upon motion by Gil Dowies, duly seconded by Mary McDaniel, the Jury unanimously approved Resolution 2024–004 – A Resolution to Grant Express Authority to Legal Representative to Sign Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage Form for the CPPJ.

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RESOLUTION 2025-004

TO GRANT EXPRESS AUTHORITY TO LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE TO SIGN UNINSURED/UNDERINSURED MOTORIST BODILY INJURY COVERAGE FORM

WHEREAS the Claiborne Parish Police Jury (the “Police Jury”) desires to reject Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists Bodily Injury Coverage (“UMBI”) by completing the Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury Coverage Form (the “UM Rejection Form”) issued by the Louisiana Department of Insurance;

WHEREAS, pursuant to La. R.S. 22:1295, a legal representative of the Police Jury is authorized to sign the UM Rejection Form;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Police Jury hereby expressly authorizes Dwayne R. Woodard (the “Legal Representative”), who serves as the Secretary/Treasurer for the Police Jury, to act as the legal representative for the Police Jury in completing and signing the UM Rejection Form.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legal Representative is hereby expressly authorized to reject UMBI on behalf of the Police Jury.

Said Resolution having been introduced and considered on the 8th day of January 2025 upon motion of Gil Dowies and duly seconded by Mary McDaniel; public hearing on said Resolution having been held; the title of said Resolution having been read; said Resolution having been considered, and a record vote having been taken, the results of which were:

YEAS: (10) Ford, Furlow, Gray, McDaniel, Cook, Davidson, Merritt, Cooper, Dowies, and Young

NAYS: (0) None

ABSENT: (0) None

ABSTAIN: N/A

THUS DONE AND ADOPTED at regular meeting of the Claiborne Parish Police Jury, Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, on the 8th day of January 2025.

/s/Dwayne R. Woodard

Secretary-Treasurer

Claiborne Parish Police Jury

Date: 01-08-2025

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Upon motion by Keivn Gray duly seconded by Paul Cook, the Jury unanimously approved the request from the North La Criminalistics Lab Commission, per letter received December 19, 2024, requesting that the Police jury consider for approval their 2024 Budget Amendments and their 2025 proposed budget as required by R.S. 40:2261-22678.4.

Upon motion by Mark Furlow, duly seconded by Paul Cook, the Jury unanimously adopted Resolution 2025-005 – Resolution Canvassing the Returns of the December 7, 2024, Special Election (1/2 Sales Tax renewal in support of the CMMC). District Three Juror Kevin Gray recused himself from the vote due to the fact he is the President of CPHSD #3 Board.

******

The following resolution was offered by Mark Furlow and seconded by Paul Cook:

RESOLUTION 2025-005

A resolution providing for canvassing the returns and declaring the results of the special election held in the Parish of Claiborne, State of Louisiana, on Saturday, December 7, 2024, to authorize the renewal of a sales and use tax therein.

BE IT RESOLVED by the Police Jury of the Parish of Claiborne, State of Louisiana (the “Governing Authority”), acting as the governing authority of the Parish of Claiborne, State of Louisiana (the “Parish”), that:

SECTION 1. Canvass. This Governing Authority does now proceed in open and public session to examine the official tabulations of votes cast at the special election held in the Parish of Claiborne, State of Louisiana, on Saturday, December 7, 2024 (the “Election”), to authorize the renewal of a sales and use tax therein pursuant to the following proposition (the “Proposition”):

PROPOSITION

(SALES TAX RENEWAL)

Shall the Parish of Claiborne, State of Louisiana (the “Parish”), be authorized to continue to levy and collect a sales and use tax of 0.5% (the “Tax”) in accordance with Louisiana law, for a period of 10 years, commencing May 1, 2025 (an estimated $880,000 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), with the avails and proceeds of the Tax (after paying reasonable and necessary costs and expenses of collecting and administering the Tax), to be transferred to the Claiborne Parish Hospital Service District No. 3 (the “District”) pursuant to an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Parish and dedicated for the purpose of the District’s operation, maintenance and improvement of hospital facilities and equipment for the Claiborne Memorial Medical Center (formerly known as the Homer Memorial Hospital)?

This Governing Authority does further proceed to examine and canvass the returns of the Election thereof.

SECTION 2. Election Results. According to the official certified tabulation of votes cast at said Election, there was a total of 577 votes cast IN FAVOR OF the Proposition and a total of 171 votes cast AGAINST the Proposition, resulting in a majority of 406 votes cast IN FAVOR OF the Proposition. The Proposition was therefore duly CARRIED by a majority of the votes cast by the qualified electors voting at the Election.

SECTION 3. Promulgation of Election Result. The results of said election shall be promulgated by publication in the manner provided by law, after receipt from the Secretary of State’s office of the actual costs of the election, as required by §18:1292 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended.

SECTION 4. Declaration. The foregoing results of the Election are hereby declared by this Governing Authority and shall be published as required by law.

SECTION 5. Procès Verbal. A Procès Verbal of the canvass of the returns of the Election shall be made and a certified copy thereof shall be forwarded to the Secretary of State, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who shall record the same in her office; another certified copy thereof shall be forwarded to the Clerk of Court and Ex-Officio Recorder of Mortgages in and for the Parish of Claiborne, who shall record the same in the Mortgage Records of said Parish; and another copy thereof shall be retained in the archives of this Governing Authority.

This resolution having been submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was as follows:

YEAS: (9) Ford, Furlow, McDaniel, Cook, Davidson, Merritt, Cooper, Dowies, and Young

NAYS: (0) None

ABSENT: (0) None

ABSTAIN; (1) Gray

And the resolution was declared adopted on this, the 8th day of January 2025.

/s/Scott Davidson

President

/s/Dwayne R. Woodard

Secretary-Treasurer ******

Upon motion by Mary McDaniel, duly seconded by Mark Furlow, the Jury unanimously adopted Ordinance No. 807 – Ordinance Levying the Renewal of the ½ Parish Wide Sales Tax in Support of the CMMC. District Three Juror Kevin Gray recused himself from the vote due to the fact he is the President of CPHSD#3 Board.

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The following ordinance was offered for adoption by Mary McDaniel and seconded by Mark Furlow:

ORDINANCE NO. 807

An ordinance providing for the levy within the Parish of Claiborne, State of Louisiana, effective May 1, 2025, of a 0.5% sales and use tax upon the sale at retail, the use, the lease or rental, the consumption, and the storage for use or consumption, of tangible personal property and upon the sale of services in said Parish, providing for the assessment, collection, payment thereof and the dedication of the proceeds of said tax and the purpose for which the proceeds of the tax may be expended, such tax having been authorized at a special election held in said Parish on December 7, 2024.

WHEREAS, under the provisions of Article VI, Section 29 of the Constitution of the State of Louisiana of 1974, and other constitutional and statutory authority and an election held on December 7, 2024, the Parish of Claiborne, State of Louisiana (the “Parish”), acting through the Police Jury of the Parish of Claiborne, State of Louisiana, as its governing authority (the “Governing Authority”), is authorized to levy and collect within the Parish from and after May 1, 2025, a 0.5% sales and use tax (the “Tax”), upon the sale at retail, the use, the lease or rental, the consumption, and the storage for use or consumption, of tangible personal property and upon the sale of services as defined in applicable statutory authority, pursuant to the following proposition which was approved at said election held on Saturday, December 7, 2024:

PROPOSITION

(SALES TAX RENEWAL)

WHEREAS, in compliance with the aforesaid constitutional and statutory authority and said special election of December 7, 2024, it is the desire of this Governing Authority to provide for the levy and collection of the Tax and to provide for distribution of the proceeds thereof and other matters in connection therewith as hereinafter provided in this ordinance;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Police Jury of the Parish of Claiborne, State of Louisiana (the “Governing Authority”), acting as the governing authority of the Parish of Claiborne, State of Louisiana (the “Parish”), thereof, that:

SECTION 1. Imposition. Pursuant to the authority of a special election held in the Parish, on December 7, 2024, the Tax is hereby levied upon the sale at retail, the use, the lease or rental, the consumption, and the storage for use or consumption, of tangible personal property, and upon the lease or rental of tangible personal property and on the sales of services in the Parish, as defined by law. The Uniform Local Sales Tax Code, as enacted by Act 73 of the 2003 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature and as it may be amended, shall apply in the assessment, collection, administration and enforcement of the Tax, the provisions of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

SECTION 2. Rate of Tax. The Tax is levied at the rate of 0.5% of the sales price of each item or article of tangible personal property when sold at retail in the Parish, the Tax to be computed on gross sales for the purpose of remitting the amount of tax due to the Parish, and to include each and every retail sale. The Tax is levied at the rate of 0.5% of the cost price of each item or article of tangible personal property when the same is not sold but is used, consumed, distributed, or stored for use or consumption in the Parish, provided there shall be no duplication of the Tax. The Tax is levied at the rate of 0.5% of the gross proceeds derived from the lease or rental of tangible personal property, as defined by law, where the lease or rental of such property is an established business, or part of an established business, or the same is incidental or germane to the said business, or of the monthly lease or rental price paid by lessee or rentee, or contracted or agreed to be paid by lessee or rentee to the owner of the tangible personal property. The Tax is levied at the rate of 0.5% of the amount paid or charged for taxable services, as defined by law, performed in the Parish.

SECTION 3. Effective Date. The Tax shall be effective on May 1, 2025.

SECTION 4. Term. The Tax shall remain in effect for ten (10) years (May 1, 2025 through April 30, 2035).

SECTION 5. Purposes. The proceeds of the Tax shall be used for the purposes set forth in the proposition approved by the voters in the special election held in the Parish on December 7, 2024, authorizing the Tax, which proposition is set forth in the preamble hereto.

SECTION 6. Vendor’s Compensation. For the purpose of compensating the dealer in accounting for and remitting the Tax levied by this ordinance, each dealer shall be allowed two percent (2%) of the amount of Tax due and accounted for and remitted to the Parish’s collector in the form of a deduction in submitting its report and paying the amount due by the dealer, provided the amount due was not delinquent at the time of payment, and provided the amount of any credit claimed for taxes already paid to a wholesaler shall not be deducted in computing the commission allowed the dealer hereunder.

SECTION 7. Exclusions and Exemptions. This Governing Authority adopts none of the optional exclusions or exemptions allowed by State sales and use tax law, nor does this Governing Authority adopt any exclusions or exemptions authorized by legislation enacted under Article VI, Section 29 (D)(1) of the Constitution of the State of Louisiana of 1974. Included within the base of the Tax is every transaction, whether sales, use, lease or rental, consumption, storage or service, with no exclusions or exemptions except for those mandated upon political subdivisions by the Constitution or statutes of the State of Louisiana, including the Act.

SECTION 8. Interest on Unpaid Amount of Tax Due. The interest on unpaid amounts of the Tax which are due shall be at the maximum rate of interest provided for in La. R.S. 47:337.69 and any subsequent amendments that may be made thereto.

SECTION 9. Delinquency Penalty. The delinquency penalty shall be at the maximum rate provided for in La. R.S. 47:337.70 and any subsequent amendments that may be made thereto.

SECTION 10. Penalty for False, Fraudulent or Grossly Incorrect Return. The penalty as authorized by La. R.S. 47:337.72 shall be fifty percent (50%) of the amount of the Tax found to be due.

SECTION 11. Negligence Penalty. The penalty as authorized by La. R.S. 47:337.73 shall be five percent (5%) of the unpaid amount of the Tax found to be due, or ten dollars ($10.00), whichever is greater.

SECTION 12. Penalty for Insufficient Funds Check. The penalty as authorized by La. R.S. 47:337.74 shall be an amount equal to the greater of one percent (1%) of the check or twenty dollars ($20.00).

SECTION 13. Attorney Fees. The collector is authorized to employ private counsel to assist in the collection of any taxes, penalties or interest due under this ordinance, or to represent him in any proceeding under this ordinance. If any taxes, penalties or interest due under this ordinance are referred to an attorney at law for collection, an additional charge of attorney fees, in the amount of ten per centum (10%) of the taxes, penalties and interest due, shall be paid by the tax debtor.

SECTION 14. Penalty for Costs Incurred. As provided by R.S. 47:337.75, and under the circumstances set forth therein, a penalty shall be added to the amount of Tax due in an amount as itemized by the Collector to compensate for all costs incurred in making an examination of books, records or documents, or an audit thereof, or in the holding of hearings or the subpoenaing and compensating of witnesses.

SECTION 15. Distraint Penalty. The penalty as provided by R.S. 47:337.76 in cases where the distraint procedure is used in the collection of the Tax shall be ten dollars ($10.00).

SECTION 16. Limits on Interest, Penalty and Attorney Fees. Should the interest, penalties or attorney fees herein, or the combined interest, penalties and attorney fees, be declared to be in excess of limits provided by other law, including relevant jurisprudence, then the maximum interest, penalties and attorney fees allowed by such other law shall apply.

SECTION 17. Collector. The Tax levied by this ordinance is authorized to be collected by a “Collector” which term shall mean the Parish School Board of the Parish of Claiborne, State of Louisiana.

SECTION 18. Powers of Collector. The Collector is hereby authorized, empowered and directed to carry into effect the provisions of this ordinance, to appoint deputies, assistants or agents to assist it in the performance of its duties, and in pursuance thereof to make and enforce such rules as it may deem necessary.

SECTION 19. Agreement to Collect Tax on Vehicles. With regard to the collection of the Tax on any motor vehicle, automobile, truck, truck-trailer, trailer, semi-trailer, motor bus, home trailer, or any other vehicle subject to the vehicle registration license Tax, this Governing Authority, acting through the President of the Governing Authority, and on behalf of the Parish, is authorized to enter into an agreement or agreements with the Vehicle Commissioner, Department of Public Safety and Corrections, for the collection of the Tax on such vehicles, as provided by R.S.47:303(B).

SECTION 20. Revenues of Tax. All taxes, revenues, funds, assessments, moneys, penalties, fees or other income which may be collected or come into the possession of the Collector under any provision or provisions of this ordinance relating to the Tax shall be promptly deposited by the Collector for the account of the Parish in the special fund established and maintained for the deposit of such proceeds, which fund will be a separate bank account maintained with the regularly designated fiscal agent of the Parish; provided, however, any amount which is paid under protest or which is subject to litigation may be transferred to a separate account established by the Collector with said fiscal agent pending the final determination of the protest or litigation.

In compliance with the said special election of December 7, 2024, authorizing the Tax, after all reasonable and necessary costs and expenses of collecting and administration of the Tax have been paid as provided for above, the remaining balance in said special fund shall be available for appropriation and expenditures by the Governing Authority solely for the purposes designated in the applicable proposition authorizing the levy of the Tax.

SECTION 21. Severability. If any or more of the provisions of this ordinance shall for any reason be held to be illegal or invalid, such illegality or invalidity shall not affect any other provision of this ordinance, but this ordinance 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 ordinance which validates or makes legal any provision of this ordinance which would not otherwise be valid or legal, shall be deemed to apply to this ordinance.

SECTION 22. Effective Date of Ordinance. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect immediately upon its adoption, being an ordinance affecting the public peace, health and safety.

SECTION 23. Publication and Recordation. This ordinance shall be published in one issue of the official journal of this Governing Authority as soon as is reasonably possible. A certified copy of this ordinance shall be recorded in the mortgage records of the Parish of Claiborne, State of Louisiana.

The final adoption of the foregoing ordinance having been duly moved and seconded, the roll was called and the following vote was taken and recorded:

YEAS: (9) Ford, Furlow, McDaniel, Cook, Davidson, Merritt, Cooper, Dowies, and Young

NAYS: (0) None

ABSENT: (0) None

ABSTAIN: (1) Gray

And the resolution was declared adopted on this, the 8th day of January 2025.

/s/Scott Davidson

President

/s/Dwayne R. Woodard

Secretary-Treasurer ******

STATE OF LOUISIANA

PARISH OF CLAIBORNE

I, the undersigned Secretary-Treasurer of the Police Jury of the Parish of Claiborne, State of Louisiana (the “Governing Authority”), the governing authority of the Parish of Claiborne, State of Louisiana (the “Parish”), do hereby certify that the foregoing pages constitute a true and correct copy of an ordinance adopted by the Governing Authority on January 8, 2025, providing for the levy within the Parish of Claiborne, State of Louisiana, effective May 1, 2025, of a 0.5% sales and use tax upon the sale at retail, the use, the lease or rental, the consumption, and the storage for use or consumption, of tangible personal property and upon the sale of services in said Parish, providing for the assessment, collection, payment thereof and the dedication of the proceeds of said tax and the purpose for which the proceeds of the tax may be expended, such tax having been authorized at a special election held in said Parish on December 7, 2024.

IN FAITH WHEREOF, witness my official signature at Homer, Louisiana, on this, the 8th day of January 2025.

SEAL /s/Dwayne R. Woodard, Secretary-Treasurer

******

Upon motion by Kevin Gray, duly seconded by Mary McDaniel, the Jury unanimously approved, upon recommendation from Road Superintendents Brant Cupp and Chad Verdin, the request to advertise and post the open position of Truck Driver within the CPPJ Hwy Dept.

Upon motion by Kevin Gray, duly seconded by Paul Cook, the Jury unanimously approved the issuance of the Parish’s Assurance Letter to DOTD’s Right of Way Section, as requested in a letter received on December 30, 2024.

Upon motion by Kevin Gray, duly seconded by Paul Cook, the Jury unanimously tabled the request, in a letter received on December 19, 2024, from Doug Efferson Executive Director of the NWLHSD, reminding the Police Jury that they needed to appoint a representative to replace Don Pledger on the Service District Board. There has been no one interested in serving, at this time.

At this time President Scott Davidson presented the recommendations from the Road Committee.

Upon motion by Gil Dowies, duly seconded by Kevin Gray, the Jury unanimously approved the request from the Homer Golf Course, in a letter received on January 3, 2025, requesting help from the Police Jury in removing two (2) trees and filling various potholes on the road leading into the golf course.

At this time Claiborne Parish Coroner Dr. Mark Haynes gave the December 2024 report for the Coroner’s Office.

There were eighteen (18) total deaths in December - eight (8) Hospice/ER related, four (4) required autopsy, four (4) were on scene with no autopsy required, (0) other facilities, two (2) at CMMC and there were no (0) CECs in the parish for December.

Dr. Mark Haynes gave an update on the hospital and clinics. He stated that there has been an increase in flu cases. Thay flu is rampant right now, with the hospital census staying full. He also announced that all Claiborne Parish Medical Clinics are now under the Rural Healthcare Umbrella, which means more money and better care for our hospital/clinics.

Secretary-Treasurer Dwayne Woodard announced that the Haynes and Salmon Clinics, along with the hospital has been awarded a grant under GOSEPH to install emergency back up generators.

******

ITEM #29 – January 8, 2025 – 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. Preparing reimbursement from State.

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 – contract signed by CPPJ and returned to State.

2. CWEF Projects -

Pinehill Water System

FY2020-2021 CWEF Grant

Amount - $21,225

Project – Water line extension E D White Road area

Status – Contract signed and approved by the State.

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.

3. Sales Tax Collections for November 2024 – net of $54,556 from gross collections of $56,132

Net sales tax collections for October 2024 – $67,905 – decrease $-13,349 (-19.65%)

Net sales tax collections for November 2023 - $65,689 – decrease $-11,133 (-16.95%)

4. Cash position on December 31, 2024 - $9,735,076

Cash position on November 30, 2024 - $9,915,241 (decrease of $-180,165)

Cash position on December 31, 2023 - $9,925,781 (decrease of $-190,705)

See Deposit Balances by Institution for breakdown on December 31, 2024 –

5. Total Receipts for the month of December 2024 – $161,616.

6. Upcoming important dates and meetings –

1/9/2025 – CPWSD Board Meeting

1/20/2025 – MLK Day – Offices Closed

1/23/2025 – CPHSD#3 Board Meeting

1/29/2025 – Agenda Items due for February Meeting

2/3/2025 – Tentative Day for Committee Meetings – if necessary

2/5/2025 – February Meeting

******

There was a lengthy discussion from a couple of concerned citizens regarding not all trash cans being picked up in town by Republic Services, along with the new changes coming concerning trash pick-up in the Parish under the new contract that starts in February.

Mr. Vincent Williams of Homer stated that neighbor’s trash is already an issue when the truck dumps their can. President Scott Davidson told the public that as of February 15, 2025, our citizens need to understand that they will have can per household under the new contract dumped on a weekly basis. You can enter a subscription with Republic Services for an additional can for an additional $15 per month that has to be paid on a quarterly basis. President Scott Davidson told those who attended that our Parish citizens are going to have to learn to consolidate their trash to one can and all household trash must be in a garbage bag.

Public Comments:

Claiborne Parish Library Director Pam Suggs informed the Jury that the plans for the Haynesville Library Branch are coming along. They should have plans to show in the next month or so.

Juror Mark Furlow asked what the library would do with the vacant bank building. Mrs. Pam Suggs informed him that they would sell it.

Upon motion by Malcolm Cooper, duly seconded by Mary McDaniel, the meeting was adjourned.

/s/Scott Davidson

President

/s/Dwayne R. Woodard

Secretary-Treasurer

(January 31, 2025)

Cost of Notice: $430

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