Candidates outline differing plans on water, taxes and economic growth in Marksville debate

Candidates at the KAPB Data Bytes debate laid out competing approaches to Marksville’s finances, water infrastructure and economic development.

Mayor John Lemoine framed water as the city's top operational priority: "The most important thing in our city is the water," he said, describing a previous water break that left the town with only about 5,000 gallons and disrupted schools, the jail and hospital services. Lemoine said the city is applying for a grant to restore an old well to serve as emergency water (not for drinking but for fire protection and basic needs) and said the city borrowed $400,000 to complete cemetery work in a recent project. He also said the city has applied for multiple grants and "received, of 2 to $3,000,000 of money" recently, as he described it on air.

Carl Chapman emphasized targeted infrastructure spending if new tax revenue were available: "I would funnel those tax dollars towards our infrastructure of streets, water, sewage and drainage," he said, adding that the city should market itself to attract businesses and consider annexation to expand developable land.

Rishawn Ford Williams said raising taxes should be a last resort and urged more efficient use of current funds alongside an active effort to seek state and federal grants. "I try to use the current funds that we have already efficiently, and I would go after more state and federal grants," she said, and called for support for small businesses and reliable city services as a foundation for growth.

The candidates also discussed permit streamlining, event-driven sales-tax growth, and occupational-license sales: Mayor Lemoine cited 22 occupational licenses sold in 2025 and 10 so far in 2026 as indicators of business interest. No formal fiscal measures were enacted during the broadcast; candidates described campaign priorities voters should weigh ahead of Election Day on May 16.