Parish assumes signatory control for Fifth Ward Drainage accounts amid resident concerns over mitigation projects

The La Fouch Parish Council voted April 28 to authorize parish officials to sign for accounts related to Fifth Ward Gravity Drainage District No. 5 so the parish can accept deposits and pay outstanding bills previously handled by the district's board.

Residents who spoke in public comment said the Fifth Ward has statutory servitudes and a history of levies and a dedicated tax; they questioned why the parish was seeking retroactive signatory authority and whether the action was linked to a proposed mitigation bank that residents opposed. "Could this be retaliation for interfering with Paris business and the Edwina Bank by the Paris government? Maybe," Mark Na, a sugarcane farmer who identified himself during public comment, asked the council when describing his involvement opposing a mitigation bank proposal.

Nancy Odin, a current Fifth Ward board member, told the council the district has no money, has donated equipment to local entities, and still represents residents' drainage interests. Charlie Bourgeoa, who said he worked for the Fifth Ward district for nine and a half years, urged the council to preserve adequate right-of-way widths and emphasized operational needs for excavation equipment, listing recommended clearances he said were needed to operate long-reach excavators.

Parish President Mitch responded that the resolution does not dissolve the drainage district or change appointment authority; he said the board had asked the parish to assume checkbook responsibilities so bills could be paid and reimbursements processed. In explaining the administration's reasoning, he said, "there is only but a few dollars right at $200 left in the checking account," and that the bank would require a governing-authority resolution to accept new signatories.

Council members debated a proposed amendment that would have narrowed the resolution's language to specify only financial accounts; the amendment failed. Supporters of the resolution said taking signatory control would let the parish deposit outstanding checks and reimbursements and prevent small administrative delays from interrupting maintenance work. Opponents and some residents kept attention on the district's larger governance and historical tax questions; the administration reiterated that any change to board composition or powers would require an ordinance.

The resolution passed by council vote; the clerk recorded the outcome and the administration said it would work with the district board on necessary follow-up.