MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING

WEBSTER PARISH POLICE JURY

January 7, 2025

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Jim Bonsall, Steve Ramsey, Steve Lemmons, Nancy Hines, Randy Thomas, Bruce Blanton, Daniel Thomas, Allen Gilbert, Beverly Kennon, and Adam Lee

Absent: Mike Griffith and LaTanya Grigsby

10:30 A.M.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS:

Ms. Nancy Hines nominated Mr. Jim Bonsall as President for 2025. There were no other nominations. Mr. Bonsall elected by acclamation.

Mr. Adam Lee nominated Mr. Steve Ramsey as Vice-President for 2025. Mr. Ramsey elected by acclamation.

REGULAR MEETING CALLED TO ORDER:

PRAYER:  Steve Lemmons

PLEDGE:  Allen Gilbert

There were no audience comments

Mr. Steve Lemmons moved, seconded by Ms. Beverly Kennon to add LGAP funding and Pistol Thomas “No Thru Trucks” signs to the agenda. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Steve Lemmons moved, seconded by Mr. Daniel Thomas to approve invoices for payment pending review by juror Allen Gilbert.  Motion carried unanimously.

Ms. Nany Hines moved, seconded by Ms. Beverly Kennon to adopt the minutes of the December 3, 2024 Road Committee, Finance Committee, and Regular Meeting and December 13, 2024 Special Meeting Minutes. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Bruce Blanton moved, seconded by Mr. Daniel Thomas to approve Webster Parish Police Jury Resolution #001-2025 Signature Authorization Resolution for the President, Secretary-Treasurer and the Asst. Secretary-Treasurer.  Motion carried unanimously.

Ms. Beverly Kennon moved, seconded by Mr. Adam Lee to approve Resolution # 002-2025 to set the date and time for the Police Jury Regular meetings, on the first Tuesday of the month at 10:30amat the Webster Parish Courthouse Annex located at 401 Main Street West Entrance, Minden, LA.  Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Allen Gilbert moved, seconded by Mr. Bruce Blanton to approve the Proposed 2025 Budget and Amended 2024 Budget for the operation of the North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory Commission. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Steve Ramsey moved, seconded by Ms. Nancy Hines to approve the 2025 Budget with actual brought forward figures from 2024 and End of Year Budget Amendments to include brought forward figures from 2024. Motion carried unanimously.

Ms. Beverly Kennon moved, seconded by Ms. Nancy Hines to approve the following financial reports of the Webster Parish Police Jury: Financial Statement, Check Registers, and Bank Recon. for the month of November, 2024.

Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Jim Bonsall presented the December 2024 financials to be approved in February.

Mr. Allen Gilbert moved, seconded by Mr. Randy Thomas to approve the 2025 Beer & Video Poker Renewals:

Video Poker:

*Pot O’ Gold                                              230 Goodwill Rd. Minden, LA 71055

*Minden Truckstop & Casino                    1629 LA Hwy 531 Minden, LA 71055

*Timberland Truckstop, LLC                     26026 Hwy 371 Sarepta, LA 71071

*Shongaloo Crossroad Lounge                13529 Hwy 159 Shongaloo, LA 71072

*Shongaloo Crossroad Deli                      13531 Hwy 159 Shongaloo, LA 71072

Beer:

*E-Z Mart                                                   26545 Hwy 371 Sarepta, LA 71071

*Shongaloo Crossroad Lounge                 13529 Hwy 159 Shongaloo, LA 71072

*Shongaloo Crossroad Deli                       13531 Hwy 159 Shongaloo, LA 71072

*Sawmill Lounge                                        26026 Hwy 371 Sarepta, LA 71071

*Timberland Truckstop, LLC                       26026 Hwy 371 Sarepta, LA 71071

 *Springhill Country Club                            26746 Hwy 371 Cullen, LA 71021

High Alcohol Content:

*Shongaloo Crossroads Lounge                13529 Hwy 159 Shongaloo, LA 7107

*Springhill Country Club                              26746 Hwy 371 Cullen, LA 71021

Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Steve Ramsey moved, seconded by Ms. Nancy Hines to Approve to Canvass the returns and declare the results of the election for the courthouse 2.78 mill tax (passed) and the Webster Parish Council on Aging 1.75 mill tax (passed) on December 7, 2024. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Steve Ramsey moved, seconded by Mr. Steve Lemmons to Approve the Resolution of Support for Community Water Enrichment Funding for Bistineau Water System for $25,000 from the Office of Community Development. Motion carried unanimously

Mr. Adam Lee moved, seconded by Mr. Randy Thomas to Approve the Resolution of Support for Community Water Enrichment Funding for Gilgal Water System for $136, 847.59 from the Office of Community Development.

Mr. Steve Ramsey moved, seconded by Mr. Daniel Thomas to approve to apply for LGAP funding for a water line for the new women’s jail facility. Motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Randy Thomas moved, seconded by Ms. Beverly Kennon to install “No Thru Trucks” signs on Pistol Thomas Road end to end. Motion carried unanimously.                                                                                  

COMMENTS:                        

Johnny Kennon                        WP C.V.B. (Tourism)

Jason Parker                            WP Sheriff

Col. Carl Thompson                 Denise Edwards/Assessor

K’Lanie Gordon                        LSU Ag/Extension Service

Brian Williams                          OHSEP Director

John Barr                                 Congressman Mike Johnson

Adam Bass                               Senator

Jessica Gorman                        Parish Historian

Dean Baugh                              NLEP

Jared McIver                             Minden Police Chief

Mr. Jim Bonsall then gave Presidents’ closing remarks.

There being no further business to bring before the Jury, the meeting adjourned.

/s/                                                                                                                            /s/                                                           

Lisa C. Balkom Secretary-Treasurer                                                      Jim Bonsall      President

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