Parish Projects on Schedule

Every government entity whether it’s state or local has felt the impact of the havoc that COVID-19 has had on their budget. The City of Monroe and other municipalities have seen their revenue from sale taxes shrink because of spending related to COVID-19. The Ouachita Parish Police Jury met Monday (May18), as it discussed various infrastructure projects that are ongoing and how they will be paid. There are various projects being done on both sides of the Ouachita River, as Parish Engineer Kevin Crosby gave updates on some of the projects in various stages of completion. Though most of the projects have been budgeted, there is some concern that there may be a deficit according to District B Juror Jack Clampit. Clampit said that is coming from the legislative audit office in Baton Rouge, as the Police Jury looks to secure more funds from the state. Clampit said that “he hopes” that is not the case. Some of the parish projects cited by Crosby were, H-1 Drainage Canal Improvements from Stubbs Vinson Road to Presidential Estates in East Ouachita, Cambridge Drive Change Order No. 3 and Linda Drive Change Order No. 3. There were other parish wide projects discussed between jurors on probable starting times, but all projects currently in progress appear to be on schedule.

In other business, District F Juror Lonnie Hudson told his colleagues that trash in his district is starting to once again, become a concern. Hudson asked what measures the police jury could employ to stop illegal trash pile up. Attorney Jay Mitchell said that Code Enforcement can look into the situation, but because of the coronavirus spread, its services have been reduced. Hudson also said that Juror Michael Thompson (Dist. D) had been experiencing the same concerns in his district. There were ordinances passed affecting trash concerns in Districts D and F when former jurors Dr. Ollibeth Reddix and now State Rep. Pat Moore served as jurors representing D and F respectively.