Votes at a glance: Assumption Parish Police Jury approves drainage work, equipment bid contingent on funding and storm cleanup plan

The Assumption Parish Police Jury on Nov. 8 approved several motions across committee and regular sessions affecting drainage repairs, equipment procurement and hurricane debris cleanup.

Among the actions approved, the jury authorized installation work at 4910 Highway 308 after the drainage committee recommendation; approved replacement pilings on the bulkhead at 4525 Highway 1; and authorized a property-line survey on Yule/Newell Street to allow construction of a ditch on the property line rather than acquiring a new right-of-way. The drainage committee also approved sweeping an outfall at 730 Brookwood Road after a deviation request.

In finance committee business, jurors accepted the lowest responsive bid for a long‑reach excavator but carried the award contingent on identifying an appropriate funding source; the committee said it will return the funding source to a future meeting if it is not already identified. The finance committee also approved a single-employee training trip (estimated $750) and the routine payment of bills submitted through Nov. 8.

The insurance committee accepted LWCC as the workers' compensation carrier for the 02/2025 policy period; the premium amount discussed in committee was approximately $485,235. An insurance broker present said reducing the parish’s experience modifier will take multiple years of focused safety and policy implementation.

The jury authorized the parish to provide equipment and labor to collect hurricane storm debris located on state rights-of-way so the parish can pursue FEMA or other reimbursement for eligible overtime and equipment time. Members discussed limiting reimbursements to overtime and equipment and tracking items that fall under bulk-waste contractor responsibility.

Other procedural items approved included the third-quarter allocation to the Assumption Area Chamber of Commerce, authorization for the president to sign a CSBG expenditure report, acceptance of a low bidder for a hydrant installation contract, approval of a small engineering contract for a Bell Road walking-trail design, and a case-by-case waiver of a $125 electrical trade permit fee for one resident whose meter strap was damaged in the storm.

Motions were made, seconded, and approved by voice votes; the record generally reports "all in favor/ayes" without a detailed roll-call tally for each motion. The jury also voted to retain counsel in one matter and to enter executive session on a separate agenda item.