Denham Springs council holds heated public hearing on district elections; motion to deny ordinance recorded

Denham Springs — The Denham Springs City Council held a packed public hearing in May 2025 on a proposed ordinance to divide the city into three geographic council districts plus two at-large seats, hearing nearly two hours of testimony from residents and community leaders before council members debated the next step.

Residents and local organizers who proposed the map said districts would improve local accountability and access to representatives. “This would ensure every area of the city has a fair, responsive and accountable representative,” said Leslie Akins, a spokesperson for the group pushing districting. Dr. Derwin Walker and Catherine Martin presented the committee’s draft map and population calculations based on the 2020 Census.

Opponents and several longtime residents urged caution or opposed changing an at-large system that they said has worked for Denham Springs. “I don’t see how five elected officials should decide such an important change without the entire electorate voting on it,” said a resident who identified herself as Jan Fairchild. Other speakers raised questions about the map data and whether population counts for particular blocks were accurate.

Councilors acknowledged the issue’s gravity and split on procedure. City Attorney Stephanie (listed in the meeting as “Stephanie”) told the council that Denham Springs is governed under the Larson Act, which contemplates aldermen (council members) elected from divisions and allows the council to adopt how divisions are implemented; she said the statute contemplates council action even if a referendum is used. Several council members said the community needed more outreach and education before any final action. “This affects everybody in the city of Denham Springs,” Council Member Wesley said, adding he favored letting the public vote or holding more hearings.

After public comment and internal discussion, Council Member Lam Williams moved to deny adoption of the ordinance establishing the three districts and two at-large seats; the motion was seconded by Wesley. The clerk recorded roll-call votes (Duvall — yes; Gilbert — yes; Lam Williams — yes; Poole — yes; Wesley — yes). The clerk subsequently announced the motion failed, and the record shows differing statements about the final disposition at the end of the meeting.

Councilors closed the public hearing before debating further substantive steps. Several elected officials urged additional outreach, town-hall–style meetings and written material that explain (a) what districting would change about nomination and voting, (b) costs and timeline to put a referendum on a municipal ballot, and (c) options the council has under state law.

What matters: The Larson Act and the council’s choice determine whether Denham Springs shifts from five at-large council members to a mixed district/at-large system. Residents on both sides of the question urged more public information; councilors repeatedly described turnout and public awareness as insufficient to make a final decision that night.

Next steps: Council members said they would consider additional hearings and educational outreach. One councilor described the option to send the measure to a municipal election if the council chooses; city staff estimated an October ballot placement would require submitting the item by the June 11 deadline and that a special ballot item could cost roughly $7,000–$30,000 depending on cost sharing with other elections.