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Sabine Parish committee trims roads ordinance, raises proposed fines and tightens permitting rules
Summary
Committee discussed simplifying Ordinance 01/02/2018 to a shorter operative version, clarified bridge inspection roles with the state, agreed to strike a per-axle numeric threshold, and directed staff to replace a $250 fine with $500 per violation in the draft.
The Sabine Parish Road & Shop committee on Oct. 15 reviewed a staff rewrite of Ordinance 01/02/2018 (roads, bridges, culverts and ditches) intended to shorten and align rules with current parish practices, tighten permitting rules and raise penalties for damaging infrastructure.
Staff member Mister Hughes told the committee the bulky existing ordinance had become cumbersome and that the proposed version pares the document to roughly three pages of operational language. Hughes emphasized the revisions focus on enforceable provisions the parish actually uses, including bridge maintenance and citation authority. "I don't want anybody that hears this to think that we're looking for an avenue to go out and write tickets," Hughes said, adding that citations are aimed at parties who damage parish infrastructure.
Major items the committee discussed:
- Bridge inspections and ratings: Staff said state bridge inspectors provide ratings the parish generally accepts but that the parish retains authority to set lower posted limits and must maintain bridges. Members noted state inspections reduce parish liability but flagged the parish's maintenance obligations and the need for clear signage.
- Penalties and citation amounts: Draft language originally referenced a $250 first-offense fine and escalating penalties; committee members argued the level was too low for commercial violators and agreed to strike the $250 language and replace it with $500 per violation in the draft. Staff were directed to rewrite the ordinance text to reflect a $500 penalty and to consider a flat $500 per violation approach for clarity.
- Permitting and unpaid costs: Committee adopted language that would bar issuance of new road permits to any party with unpaid fines or unpaid road repair costs tied to prior permits; staff clarified citations are issued to drivers but the permit holder is ultimately responsible for repair costs.
- Axle-weight and vehicle restrictions: Members questioned a proposed numeric per-axle threshold (10,000 pounds per axle) as impractical for routine concrete deliveries and vulnerable to enforcement problems. The committee agreed to strike the specific per-axle numeric language and defer to posted bridge limits and state permit thresholds for heavy loads; staff will return with revised wording.
- Access-route signage: The draft would assign responsibility for marking and maintaining access-route signage to the responsible party for sustained operations (pipelines, long-term oilfield activity) to avoid parish signage being left scattered.
The committee directed staff to update the draft ordinance language to: replace the $250 fine language with $500 per violation, remove the explicit 10,000-pound-per-axle phrase, and clarify permit/penalty enforcement language. Staff will rewrite the ordinance text and return it for further committee review before referral to the full parish board.
