Tangipahoa Parish fire board approves minutes, donates surplus vehicles to City of Hammond; discusses budget and truck cameras

The Tangipahoa Parish Fire Board on Oct. 27 approved minutes from its Sept. 22 regular meeting and an Oct. 14 special meeting, authorized surplus and donation of fire department vehicles to the City of Hammond under a negotiated contract, ratified the board's 2026 meeting schedule and received updates on budget planning and rollout of cameras for department trucks.

Board members said the vehicle donation is part of a contract under which the City of Hammond will assume insurance and fuel costs for the vehicles while using them; the board will surplus vehicles to the city now and will accept returned vehicles for surplus later when the city replaces them under the agreement. A staff member presenting the item said, “These vehicles is what they're using right now anyway in the contract. And we have negotiated a contract where they're taking over the insurance and fuel.”

The action list and votes were routine and approved by roll call. The board's finance committee chair reported the finance committee is reviewing last year's budget and preparing a proposed budget for submission in November, with final approval planned for December if the board agrees. The chair said meetings are set with department leaders this week and next to compile the proposed budget.

Administrators also updated the board on installation of cameras on department trucks. Administrator David said the camera rollout is roughly 70% complete and that he will contact the department's insurance carrier within a week or two to resolve outstanding issues with notification emails and chief setup. David said a refund or surplus insurance credit related to surplus vehicles is pending and he expects to provide a figure next month: “I hadn't really wrote the number down… You know, the refund. You think you can have something maybe, next month?”

Votes at a glance: - Approval of minutes (Sept. 22 regular meeting and Oct. 14 special meeting). Motion by Mister Senagra; second by Miss Ciatek. Roll call votes recorded as yes by Mister McGrathia, Mister Joseph, Mister Havis, Mister Richdahl, Mister Mayhew, Mister Wells, Mister Viel, Miss Hyde, Miss Sietek, and Mister Sennacker. Outcome: approved. - Surplus and donation of vehicles to the City of Hammond (board to surplus and donate vehicles; city to assume insurance and fuel and to return replaced vehicles to be surplus). Motion by Mister Mayhew; second by Mister Wells. Roll call votes recorded as yes by Mister Joseph, Mister Havis, Mister Richdahl, Mister Mayhew, Mister Wells, Mister Viel, Miss Hyde, Miss Sietek, Mister Senagra and Mister Engraffier. Outcome: approved. - Budget process / finance committee report (report and motion to proceed with budget meetings and compile proposed budget for November submission). Motion by Mister Havis; second by Mister Senagra. Roll call votes recorded as yes by Mister Havis, Mister Ritzel, Mister Mayhew, Mister Wells, Miss Hyde and others present. Outcome: approved. - Ratification of the 2026 meeting schedule. Motion by Mister Engraffia; second by Mister Havis. Roll call votes recorded as yes by Mister Richdell, Mister Mayes, Mister Wells, Miss Hyde, Miss Ciatek, Mister Senagra, Mister Grafia, Mister Joseph and Mister Havis. Outcome: approved.

Board members raised no extended debate on the motions during the meeting; discussion focused on scheduling budget meetings with departments and on completing the camera-installation and insurance follow-up. The board adjourned after conducting the scheduled business; the administrator said he will compile outstanding figures for the next meeting.