Juror introduces ordinance to create Broadband Citizens' Advisory Committee

At the Feb. 7 Ouachita Parish Police Jury meeting, Juror Larry Bratton introduced Ordinance No. 9411 to create a Broadband Citizens' Advisory Committee to advise the jury on opportunities to expand broadband service to unserved and underserved areas.

The proposed committee would consist of seven members: one nominee by each of the six Police Jury district jurors and one at‑large member nominated by the Police Jury president. The ordinance sets staggered initial terms (four members serving two years, three members serving four years determined by lot at the committee's first meeting) and four‑year terms thereafter. At its inaugural meeting the committee would elect a chairman and vice chairman for one‑year terms; the parish treasurer would designate an employee to serve as committee secretary responsible for minutes, agendas and postings. The committee is directed to meet quarterly and otherwise at the call of the chairman, and the ordinance states its meetings are subject to the Louisiana Open Meetings Law.

Juror Bratton described the committee's charge as advising the Police Jury regarding expansion of broadband services and related matters. Assistant District Attorney Mr. Mitchell asked jurors to send names and contact information for their appointees so the committee could be in place if the ordinance is approved at the next meeting. The minutes do not show a roll call or adoption on Feb. 7; the ordinance was introduced for future consideration.

Next steps: jurors were asked to provide appointee contact information to the assistant district attorney; the ordinance remains at the introduction stage pending formal adoption at a subsequent meeting.