The DeSoto Parish Police Jury voted to accept a quitclaim deed from Chase Bank that transfers any interest the bank holds in a stretch of right-of-way in the Meadowview neighborhood near Kickapoo Corner and Fellowship Church. The motion was moved, seconded and passed by the jury.

Legal counsel reported that Chase Bank reached out after receiving funds related to natural gas activity in the parish and, believing federal rules may prevent the bank from holding the parcel, offered to quitclaim any interest to the parish. "Chase Bank had reached out after they received some funds related to the natural gas activity in the parish," legal counsel said, and the bank "believe[s] they're prohibited from owning" the property and sought to transfer any claim off its books.

Counsel said Chase returned roughly $200,000 tied to the matter but emphasized the parish needs additional title work and research to determine whether mineral rights accompany the parcel and, if so, whether the parish could assert a claim to those rights or proceeds. The counsel cautioned that mineral rights may belong to adjacent landowners or be subject to other legal provisions, and that the parish would examine ownership only after title is recorded in the parish's name.

County staff clarified the roads in the Meadowview neighborhood are already maintained by the parish and that the quitclaim would not place new maintenance obligations onto the jury for roads it already operates. The jury voted in favor of accepting the quitclaim deed.

Next steps: legal counsel will review title and mineral-rights records to report back on whether any mineral interest or funds properly belong to the parish and what actions, if any, are available to assert a claim.