Washington Parish , LA

Finance Committee

Parish Council

The Washington Parish Council will hold a regular meeting to consider an ordinance amending the 2026 operating budget and several resolutions, including one to amend a moratorium on solar and battery facilities, an intergovernmental agreement with Bogalusa for animal services, and a grant application for transportation. The council will also vote on resolutions related to fire district taxes, opioid settlement funds for resuscitation equipment, and an election for a tax renewal.

• Ordinance No. 26-790: Amend 2026 annual operating budget
• Resolution No. 26-1526: Amend moratorium on solar farms and battery storage
• Resolution No. 26-1527: Agreement with City of Bogalusa for animal shelter/control
• Resolution No. 26-1529: Election for Fire Protection District No. 1 tax renewal
• Resolutions 26-1530 to 26-1532: Use opioid settlement funds for resuscitation equipment

The Washington Parish Council received a clean, unmodified audit opinion for FY2025 with no internal control findings. The Council appointed George Martinez to the Gas Utility District No. 2 Board, tabled a bid for resuscitation equipment, authorized special legal counsel to join litigation over the Smitty's Supply explosion, and approved an MOU with a pregnancy center using opioid funds. All votes were 6-0 with Councilman Rice absent.

• Approved July 27, 2026 meeting minutes (6-0)
• Appointed George Martinez to Gas Utility District No. 2 Board via Resolution 26-1522 (6-0)
• Tabled Resolution 26-1523 for resuscitation equipment purchase (6-0)
• Authorized special legal counsel for Smitty's Supply explosion claims via Resolution 26-1524 (6-0)
• Approved MOU with Southeast Louisiana Pregnancy Center for maternal substance use initiative via Resolution 26-1525 (6-0)
• Closed public participation (6-0)

Planning Commission

The Washington Parish Planning Commission is holding its regular monthly meeting. The agenda contains only routine items: approval of the previous meeting's minutes, public participation, staff reports, and commissioner comments. There is no old or new business listed, so no substantive decisions or discussions are scheduled.

• Approval of minutes from July 21, 2026 regular meeting
• Public participation period
• Staff reports
• Commissioner comments

The Washington Parish Planning Commission approved two waivers allowing placement of used mobile homes. The first waiver permits a 1984 mobile home to be moved from St. Tammany Parish to Mt. Hermon, and the second allows a used 1984 mobile home on a .66-acre parcel. Both votes were unanimous (5-0) with two members absent.

• Approved waiver for 1984 mobile home moved to Mt. Hermon (5-0)
• Approved waiver for used 1984 mobile home on .66-acre parcel (5-0)
• Approved minutes of June 9, 2026 meeting (4-0, 1 abstention)

Parish Council

The Washington Parish Council will hold a regular meeting to consider several ordinances and resolutions, including amending the 2026 budget, appointing a board member, purchasing resuscitation equipment for fire districts, retaining special legal counsel for claims from the Smitty's Supply explosion, and authorizing a memorandum of understanding for a maternal substance use initiative. The agenda also includes an audit report, a candidate presentation, and an employee recognition.

• Ordinance No. 26-790: Amend 2026 Annual Operating Budget
• Resolution No. 26-1522: Appoint George Martinez to Gas Utility District No. 2 Board
• Resolution No. 26-1523: Accept bid for resuscitation equipment for fire districts using opioid settlement funds
• Resolution No. 26-1524: Retain special legal counsel for claims from August 22, 2025 Smitty's Supply explosion
• Resolution No. 26-1525: MOU with Southeast Louisiana Pregnancy Center for maternal substance use initiative (80% reimbursement)

The Washington Parish Council approved all 11 resolutions on the agenda, all by unanimous 6-0 votes with one member absent. These included correcting highway designations for the Downtown Franklinton Sidewalk Improvement Project, reappointing and appointing members to fire protection district boards, and declaring surplus property for auction. The meeting also included extensive public comments on solar projects and a financial report showing a $959,000 surplus.

• Approved minutes of July 13, 2026 meeting with corrections (6-0)
• Adopted Resolution 26-1512 correcting highway designation for sidewalk project (6-0)
• Adopted Resolution 26-1513 correcting highway designation for sidewalk project (6-0)
• Reappointed Bradley Cooper to Fire Protection District No. 1 Board (6-0)
• Reappointed John Seal to Fire Protection District No. 1 Board (6-0)
• Reappointed Stuart Varnado to Fire Protection District No. 1 Board (6-0)
• Appointed Keith Dellsperger to Fire Protection District No. 1 Board (6-0)
• Reappointed Shaunna Freeman to Fire Protection District No. 9 Board (6-0)

Personnel Committee

The Washington Parish Personnel Committee will meet to discuss the appointment of a member to the Washington Parish Gas Utility District No. 2 Board of Directors. The committee will also review minutes from the June 1, 2026, meeting.

• Resolution appointing member to the Washington Parish Gas Utility District No. 2 Board of Directors

The Personnel Committee voted to move two appointment resolutions to the full Council. These include members for the 22nd Judicial District Children and Youth Planning Board and the Washington Parish Library Board of Control.

• Approved minutes from March 23, 2026, meeting (3-0)
• Voted to present resolution appointing William H. Arata, Ann Buckalew-Culpepper, Leslie Susan Pittman, and Judge David Duke to the 22nd Judicial District Children and Youth Planning Board to the full Council (3-0)
• Voted to present resolution appointing Abigail Kemp to the Washington Parish Library Board of Control to the full Council (3-0)

Parish Council

The Washington Parish Council will consider several appointments and reappointments to Fire Protection Districts No. 1 and No. 9. The body will also review resolutions to correct highway designations for a sidewalk project in downtown Franklinton.

• Resolution No. 26-1512 and 26-1513: Correct highway designations for Downtown Franklinton Sidewalk Improvement Project, Segment A2
• Resolution No. 26-1514, 26-1515, 26-1516, 26-1517: Appointments to Fire Protection District No. 1 Board
• Resolution No. 26-1518, 26-1519, 26-1520: Appointments to Fire Protection District No. 9 Board
• Resolution No. 26-1521: Declaration of surplus/scrap movable property for disposal

The Washington Parish Council approved an ordinance establishing no-thru truck routes on specific parish roads. The council also passed resolutions for a workforce stipend, road rehabilitation, a recreation center master plan, and DOTD agreements for a bridge and sidewalks.

• Approved Ordinance No. 26-789 establishing 'No-Thru Truck Routes' (6-0)
• Approved minutes for July 9, 2026, Special Council Meeting (6-0)
• Adopted Resolution No. 26-1507 for CDL training workforce development stipends (6-0)
• Adopted Resolution No. 26-1508 for Cecil Painter Road rehabilitation agreement with Tangipahoa Parish (6-0)
• Adopted Resolution No. 26-1509 for Varnado Recreation Center schematic design using opioid settlement funds (6-0)
• Adopted Resolution No. 26-1510 for George Jenkins Road bridge replacement agreement with DOTD (6-0)
• Adopted Resolution No. 26-1511 for LA 25 sidewalk segment A2 agreement with DOTD (6-0)

Planning Commission

The Washington Parish Planning Commission is meeting to consider two waiver requests: one from Jeremy Dillon to relocate a 1984 mobile home from St. Tammany Parish, and another from Willie Peters Jr. to place a used 1984 mobile home on a .66-acre parcel. The meeting also includes approval of prior minutes, staff reports, and public comment.

• Jeremy Dillon requests waiver to allow placement of a 1984 mobile home currently located in St. Tammany Parish
• Willie Peters Jr. requests waiver to permit a used 1984 mobile home on a .66-acre parcel
• Approval of minutes from June 9, 2026, regular meeting

The Washington Parish Planning Commission approved a one-time special event permit for the Dukes & Boots event, with conditions including all provisions from the applicant's proposal and a ban on horses and ATVs. The vote was 4-0, with three members absent. The commission also approved the minutes from the May 19, 2026 meeting, with one abstention, after changing wording from 'failed' to 'denied' at the request of the Parish President.

• Approved one-time special event permit for Dukes & Boots (4-0)
• Approved minutes of May 19, 2026 meeting (3-0, 1 abstention)

Parish Council

The Washington Parish Council will hold a public hearing and vote on an ordinance regarding truck routes. The body is also considering resolutions for road rehabilitation, sidewalk construction, and a workforce development stipend.

• Ordinance No. 26-789: Establishing "No-Thru Truck Routes" on certain parish roads
• Resolution No. 26-1508: Intergovernmental Agreement with Tangipahoa Parish for Cecil Painter Road rehabilitation
• Resolution No. 26-1509: Agreement with RCL Architecture, LLC for Varnado Recreation Center design using Opioid Settlement Funds
• Resolution No. 26-1510: Agreement with DOTD for George Jenkins Road Over Berrys Creek
• Resolution No. 26-1511: Agreement with DOTD for LA 25: Washington Parish Sidewalk Segment A2

The Washington Parish Council voted 6-0 to adopt Resolution No. 26-1506, placing a 90-day moratorium on the approval and permitting of solar panel farms, commercial solar power plants, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and similar facilities. The moratorium is intended to give the parish's attorneys time to update the existing solar ordinance and create battery storage guidelines. The council also approved the minutes of the June 15, 2026, regular meeting and adjourned.

• Adopted Resolution No. 26-1506, placing a 90-day moratorium on solar and battery storage permits (6-0)
• Approved minutes of the June 15, 2026, regular council meeting (6-0)
• Closed public participation (6-0)
• Adjourned the meeting (6-0)

Parish Council

The Washington Parish Council will hold a special meeting to discuss and potentially adopt a resolution regarding energy facilities. The primary focus is a proposed moratorium on the permitting of solar power plants and battery storage systems.

• Resolution No. 26-1506: Moratorium on approval and permitting of solar panel farms, commercial solar power plants, and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)

The Washington Parish Council unanimously approved all six resolutions on the agenda, including acquiring surplus travel trailers for emergency responders, selecting the Era Leader as the official journal, contracting KTS Construction for the Angie Library renovation, appointing Abigail Kemp to the Library Board, appointing members to the Children and Youth Planning Board, and engaging Taylor Porter to review the solar ordinance. They also added and approved a resolution for a FEMA-funded hurricane safe room. An ordinance establishing no-thru truck routes was introduced for future discussion.

• Approved minutes of June 1, 2026 meeting (6-0).
• Adopted Resolution 26-1499 to acquire surplus travel trailers for emergency response (6-0).
• Adopted Resolution 26-1500 selecting Era Leader as official journal for 2026-2027 (6-0).
• Adopted Resolution 26-1501 authorizing contract with KTS Construction for Angie Library renovation (6-0).
• Adopted Resolution 26-1502 appointing Abigail Kemp to Library Board of Control (6-0).
• Adopted Resolution 26-1503 appointing members to 22nd Judicial District Children and Youth Planning Board (6-0).
• Adopted Resolution 26-1504 authorizing engagement with Taylor Porter for solar ordinance review (6-0).
• Adopted Resolution 26-1505 authorizing FEMA grant documents for hurricane safe room (6-0).

Parish Council

The Washington Parish Council will discuss establishing no-thru truck routes on certain parish roads. The body is also considering resolutions for surplus property acquisition and the appointment of board members.

• Ordinance No. 26-789: Establishing "No-Thru Truck Routes" on certain parish roads
• Resolution No. 26-1501: Contract with KTS Construction, LLC for the Angie Library Renovation Project
• Resolution No. 26-1499: Acquisition of surplus property for emergency response and public safety
• Resolution No. 26-1502: Appointment of Abigail Kemp to the Washington Parish Library Board of Control
• Resolution No. 26-1500: Selection of the Official Journal for July 1, 2026 — June 30, 2027

Planning Commission

The Washington Parish Planning Commission will hold a regular meeting with primarily procedural items. The only substantive action is an old business item: a special event application for Dukes & Boots. No new business is listed.

• Old Business: Special Event Application - Dukes & Boots

The Washington Parish Planning Commission tabled the Dukes and Boots special event application due to an incomplete application missing required signage, site plan, and other items. The commission also added and discussed a conditional use permit request for a mobile home, directing the applicant to obtain sanitation and mover approvals. Minutes from the April 21, 2026 meeting were approved with one abstention.

• Approved April 21, 2026 meeting minutes (4-0, 1 abstention)
• Tabled Dukes and Boots special event application due to incomplete application (5-0)
• Amended agenda to add Item 7a, Trayona Williams' mobile home conditional use permit request (5-0)

Parish Council

The Washington Parish Council will meet to vote on several resolutions, including authorizing public safety dispatch training and dissolving the Poole's Bluff Nature Park Advisory Council. The meeting also includes a presentation from The Blood Center and Keep Louisiana Beautiful.

• Cooperative Endeavor Agreement for Public Safety Dispatch Training
• Repeal of Poole's Bluff Nature Park Advisory Council (Resolution 17-802)
• License Agreement with the Department of the Army for Poole's Bluff
• Delegation of signatory authority for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
• Declaration of surplus/scrap property for disposal

The Washington Parish Council denied a conditional use permit for a new cell tower (3-4), approved a commercial landfill fee increase to $45/ton with a $25 minimum, and adopted the 2026 millage at the same rate as the prior year. The council also approved resolutions for a housing finance agreement, a fire district tax election, surplus property disposal, and an engineering services agreement for sidewalk construction.

• Denied Conditional Use Permit #2025-12-1916 for new cell tower (3-4)
• Adopted Ordinance 26-787 raising commercial landfill fees to $45/ton with $25 minimum (7-0)
• Adopted Ordinance 26-788 levying 2026 millage at same rate as prior year (7-0)
• Adopted Resolution 26-1488 for Capital Area Finance Authority agreement (7-0)
• Adopted Resolution 26-1489 for Fire District No. 2 8-mill tax renewal election (7-0)
• Adopted Resolution 26-1490 declaring surplus property for auction (7-0)
• Adopted Resolution 26-1491 for Meyer Engineers sidewalk construction agreement (7-0)

Personnel Committee

The Washington Parish Personnel Committee will discuss resolutions appointing members to the 22nd Judicial District Children and Youth Planning Board and the Washington Parish Library Board of Directors. They will also approve the minutes from their March 23, 2026, regular meeting.

• Discussion of resolution appointing members to the 22nd Judicial District Children and Youth Planning Board representing Washington Parish
• Discussion of resolution appointing a member to the Washington Parish Library Board of Directors
• Approval of minutes from March 23, 2026 regular committee meeting

The Washington Parish Personnel Committee met on March 23, 2026, and approved the minutes from the February 9, 2026 meeting. The committee voted unanimously to recommend Victoria D. Grant to the full Council for appointment to the Tourism Commission Board of Directors, filling the vacancy left by Tonya Sharp's resignation. No public comments were made, and the meeting adjourned after routine procedural votes.

• Approved minutes of February 9, 2026 Personnel Committee meeting (3-0)
• Recommended Victoria D. Grant to full Council for Tourism Commission Board appointment (3-0)
• Closed public participation (3-0)
• Adjourned meeting (3-0)

Planning Commission

The Washington Parish Planning Commission will meet to discuss one new business item. The body is reviewing a special event application for Dukes and Boots.

• Special Event Application - Dukes and Boots

Parish Council

The Washington Parish Council will hold a regular meeting to decide on two ordinances: one adjusting commercial customer fees at the Choctaw Road Landfill and another levying 2026 property taxes at the same millage rate as 2025. The council will also vote on resolutions including a fire protection district tax renewal election, surplus property disposal, and an engineering services agreement for downtown Franklinton sidewalk construction.

• Ordinance 26-787: Adjust commercial customer fees at Choctaw Road Landfill
• Ordinance 26-788: Levy 2026 property taxes at prior year’s millage rate
• Resolution 26-1489: Approve fire district tax renewal election for November 3, 2026 (8 mills for 10 years)
• Resolution 26-1491: Authorize engineering services agreement for Sidewalk Construction (Segment A2) in Downtown Franklinton
• Resolution 26-1490: Declare surplus movable property for disposal

Parish Council

The Council will consider adoption of ordinances for a predial avigation servitude agreement and no thru truck routes on certain roads, and introduce ordinances to adjust commercial landfill fees and levy 2026 property taxes at the current millage rate. A public hearing will also be held on an appeal of a conditional use permit for a new cell tower. The Council will vote on a contract for Phase VI of the mountain bike trails project at Bogue Chitto State Park.

• Public hearing and adoption of ordinance authorizing a predial avigation servitude agreement (Ordinance 26-785)
• Public hearing and adoption of ordinance establishing no thru truck routes on certain parish roads (Ordinance 26-786)
• Introduction of ordinance adjusting commercial customer fees at Choctaw Road Landfill (Ordinance 26-787)
• Introduction of ordinance to levy 2026 property taxes at prior-year millage rate (Ordinance 26-788)
• Public hearing on appeal of conditional use permit for a new cell tower (Application #2025-12-1916)

Road Committee

The Washington Parish Road Committee will meet to discuss an ordinance establishing "No Thru Truck Routes" on specific parish roads. The committee will also review minutes from the April 6, 2026, meeting.

• Discussion of an ordinance establishing "No Thru Truck Routes" on certain parish roads per Ordinance No. 13-577