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DeSoto Parish jury tightens rules, raises fees and deposits for 4‑H event center after damage complaints
Summary
The police jury adopted new recommended use policies for the Dave Means Memorial 4‑H Center — banning BYOB, increasing rental fees from $150 to $500 and raising security deposits from $300 to $1,500 — and set a midnight curfew with required sheriff-deputy security; the changes follow reported damage and sanitation issues.
The DeSoto Parish Police Jury on Dec. 23 adopted revised use policies for the Dave Means Memorial 4‑H Center after officials reported repeated damage and sanitation problems at rented events. The resolution raises the daily rental fee from $150 to $500, increases the security deposit from $300 to $1,500, requires insurance and prohibits BYOB and fireworks unless a licensed third‑party vendor is used.
The parish’s presenter said recent incidents left plumbing and a rolling door damaged, citing cleaning costs of roughly $675 and repair estimates ranging from about $3,300 for plumbing up to $15,000 if replacement of large fixtures is required. The presenter said an insurance claim remains unresolved and recommended standard event‑center requirements used elsewhere in Louisiana.
Supporters of the policy described repeated problems, including smoking and paraphernalia leftover after events, and argued the changes — higher deposits, stricter cleanup timelines and mandatory deputy security for large gatherings — are minimum safeguards. “No alcohol unless it’s you hire a third party vendor to come in and sell the alcohol,” the presenter said, summarizing the proposed prohibition on BYOB.
Some jurors pressed for accommodations for adult or special events; an alternate motion that adjusted the curfew was adopted. The jury approved language setting event conclusion at midnight with the building secured by 12:30 a.m. The policy also requires cleanup by noon the following day or the parish will hire cleaning and charge the cost against the security deposit.
Erin Stockton of LSU AgCenter, who identified herself as the LSU AgCenter nutrition agent, told the jury the building had been left unsanitary after one event and that staff had to work amid cigarette and marijuana smoke. “The bathrooms were not sanitary. The bathroom actually left unsanitary with blood on the walls for 9 days,” Stockton said, describing the condition that prompted staff concern.
The resolution removes the prior residency exemption for rental fees — the presenter said there will be no waivers for parish residents or nonprofits — and gives the sheriff’s office authority to require deputies and to cancel events if actual attendance exceeds the number declared on the application. The jury adopted the policy with the midnight/12:30 a.m. timing amendment; staff will provide a checklist to document conditions before and after each rental.
The new policy takes effect immediately upon adoption. The parish administrator and staff will implement the rental checklists, updated deposit and fee processes, and the requirement that deposits be secured by card, check or money order (no cash).
