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DeSoto Parish committees approve millage resolutions, surplus Pelican Library sale, appointments and insurance renewal
Summary
Administrative committees approved Resolution No. 14 adopting 2026 millage rates, declared the old Pelican Library surplus for sale (Resolution No. 15), reappointed Ernell Jones to the library board, approved the Sales and Use Tax Commission budget, and authorized a Blue Cross Blue Shield stop-loss renewal with modest employee premium increases.
Several routine but consequential administrative items moved forward across DeSoto Parish committees on Monday, including tax, property, appointments, budget and employee-insurance actions.
The administrative committee adopted Resolution No. 14 of 2026 to set adjusted millage rates for tax year 2026 and authorized the president to sign accompanying affidavits concerning roll-forward decisions. The body also approved Resolution No. 15 designating the old Pelican Library as surplus and authorizing its sale under Louisiana law.
The committee reappointed Ernell Jones to the library board and approved the 2026–2027 operating budget for the Parish Sales and Use Tax Commission. During that item, the commission’s newly hired sales tax administrator, Derek Bees, introduced himself to the board, saying, "My name is Derek. look forward to working with y'all." The operating budget vote passed.
The Parish also authorized a professional services agreement with Russell J. Ricarda Jr., CPA to provide consulting services for the Section 8 housing program; the services are reimbursable by the program. The administrative committee then adjourned and the Budget & Finance Committee amended the 2026 general fund to appropriate an additional $15,000 for webcore services tied to the Pelican community center. Mr. Ross described the center as serving "about nine communities" and said it will be used as a warming station and to support meal preparation in coalition with the council on aging.
At a separate Insurance Committee meeting and a subsequent special meeting, the body authorized a stop-loss renewal and new employee rates with Blue Cross Blue Shield effective July 1, 2026. Staff said employees on individual plans will see about a $55 increase and employees on family plans about $14.38 per paycheck; staff characterized the overall change as roughly a 5% market increase.
What happens next: Contracts and resolutions will be finalized at the regular meeting as noted; staff will provide the borrow-pit lease with amended language before the regular meeting and will follow up on insurance enrollment impacts.
