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Tangipahoa Parish Council elects Hyde as chair, approves pay raises and multiple ordinances; denies one commercial variance
Summary
At its Jan. 12 meeting the Tangipahoa Parish Council elected Bridgette Hyde chair, approved a 3% pay increase for several department directors, certified landfill Cell 16 substantial completion and adopted multiple ordinances including subdivision traffic‑study and courthouse security-zone rules. The council declined to grant a commercial variance for a half‑acre parcel after public comment.
Bridgette Hyde was elected chair of the Tangipahoa Parish Council by acclamation at the council’s Jan. 12, 2026 meeting, as members also chose vice‑chair and confirmed Jill as council clerk. The council approved a 3% pay increase effective with the pay period beginning Jan. 3 for the chief administrative officer, the director of finance, the director of human resources and the director of public works. President Miller presented the pay item as an adjustment tied to cost of living.
The council also certified substantial completion of Cell 16 at the parish landfill after staff and the consulting engineers reviewed the work; members noted ongoing gas‑capture upgrades and plans for an improved citizen drop‑off. Council members praised the landfill as a “state of the art” facility and encouraged school visits to support science education.
On ordinances, the council adopted several items recommended by the Development Review Committee (DRC): TP Ordinance 26‑01, which adds a traffic‑study requirement for major subdivisions of more than 50 lots; TP Ordinance 26‑02, establishing courthouse special security zones (section 34‑17); TP Ordinance 26‑03, amending nuisance rules in chapter 32 to clarify removal, notice and civil and administrative fees; and TP Ordinance 26‑04, adjusting the clerk’s salary. The council also adopted TP Ordinance 26‑06, granting a variance to section 36‑112 to allow a lot‑line revision for Robert and Patsy Traylor (assessment 5152208) in District 1. Each ordinance was moved, seconded and carried by roll call.
The council introduced and approved TP Ordinance 26‑07, to acquire rights‑of‑way for state project H015013 (bridge replacements on Sibley Road and Chappapilla/Brushy Branch) and authorized the Parish President to execute necessary documents. It also adopted a related resolution authorizing documentation for a detour route for bridge replacements on Old Genesee Road.
During the meeting the council heard a public comment and variance request from Kimberly Verbine concerning a half‑acre parcel she owns that was originally part of a one‑acre commercial development. Verbine said she intended to develop or sell the half‑acre for commercial uses and that it is surrounded by commercial properties and has commercial sewer and parking. She said she had expected a prior approval would permit commercial use and that she misunderstood recent Planning Commission action. Council members noted the Planning Commission had denied the change in December and expressed concern about setting precedent. A council member moved to grant Verbine’s requested variance but there was no second and the motion failed.
The meeting also included one procedural agenda amendment: the council voted to add a contract extension for sidewalk/pedestrian improvements in Ponchatoula so the city could meet its paperwork deadlines. The meeting adjourned after routine business and staff recognitions.
Votes at a glance: - TP Ordinance 26‑01 (subdivision standards: traffic study for >50 lots) — adopted (roll call). - TP Ordinance 26‑02 (courthouse special security zones, §34‑17) — adopted (roll call). - TP Ordinance 26‑03 (nuisances: removal, notice, civil/admin fees) — adopted (roll call). - TP Ordinance 26‑04 (clerk salary adjustment) — adopted (roll call). - TP Ordinance 26‑06 (variance to §36‑112 for Robert and Patsy Traylor, assessment 5152208) — adopted (roll call). - TP Ordinance 26‑05 (requested variance for Two Sisters in Unity LLC / Kimberly Verbine’s half‑acre) — motion to grant failed for lack of second (no variance granted). - TP Ordinance 26‑07 (right‑of‑way acquisition for state bridge projects H015013) — introduced and approved; Parish President authorized to sign documents (roll call). - Resolution (detour route for Old Genesee Road bridge replacements) — adopted (roll call).
What’s next: several introduced ordinances will appear on the Jan. 26 public hearing agenda for formal public hearing and final action where required. Council members directed staff to process documentation for right‑of‑way recordation and to continue landfill completion closeout steps.
Selected direct quotes from the meeting: “By acclamation, Miss Hyde is elected 2026 chair,” (roll‑call announcement). “My name is Kimberly Verbine … I wasn’t aware that it was only gonna be residential,” (Verbine, describing the half‑acre and her intent to develop or sell for commercial use).
