Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the State Highway Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
De Soto Parish adopts policy limiting parish crews from working on state highways after heated debate
Summary
The De Soto Parish Police Jury voted to adopt Resolution No. 22 of 2026, establishing a policy that prohibits parish road employees and equipment from performing maintenance or construction on state highways; jurors split over fairness to residents on state routes and legal authority to act.
The De Soto Parish Police Jury voted to adopt Resolution No. 22 of 2026, a policy prohibiting parish road employees and equipment from performing maintenance, construction or other work on state highways.
Supporters said the measure clarifies long-standing confusion about what parish crews may legally perform on state-owned roadways. "This solidifies the policy, puts it in writing, and it's backed up by state law," a juror stated during debate, noting supporting materials were provided in binders for members.
Opponents argued the policy will leave constituents who live on state highways without timely help. "We can't just throw these people away because they live on the State Highway," said Speaker 9, who warned residents would continue to pay parish taxes but lose local service if the parish refuses to address some issues.
Legal counsel told jurors the parish may have limited authority. "I am not aware of any legal authority that allows you to do it," said the parish attorney (speaker 16), advising further research or an Attorney General opinion before expanding parish work on state routes. The attorney clarified the parish can repair damage caused by the public or maintain driveways serving a public purpose, but said routine work on state routes appears to be controlled by state authority.
Jurors discussed alternatives during the debate, including a driveway-permitting process that would require property owners to bear initial costs while the parish would limit long-term maintenance exposure. Staff said a draft permitting process was being prepared to address the increasing number and cost of driveway culvert replacements as subdivisions expand.
After extended discussion and an alternate motion to defer, the original resolution was put to a vote and passed. The text adopted was identified in committee materials as Resolution No. 22 of 2026; the resolution directs parish staff to implement a policy restricting parish crews and equipment from work on state highways subject to the scope described in the adopted language.
The committee also directed staff to provide additional research and clarifying procedures on permitting and to consult legal counsel on specifics of implementation. The resolution passed at the committee level; members asked staff to follow up with recommended permitting language and any necessary legal opinions.
The discussion highlighted the tension between limiting parish liability and meeting immediate constituent needs on state-controlled roadway segments. The policy's next steps include staff follow-up and potential communications to residents about what services the parish will and will not provide on state highways.
