Ouachita Parish Police Jury approves 2024 audit, road contracts and personnel actions; allocates $325,000 for Standard Reed Road

The Ouachita Parish Police Jury met on Sept. 15, 2025, in Monroe and approved a slate of administrative, personnel and infrastructure actions, including acceptance of the 2024 financial audit and a low bid award for road striping. The Jury ratified finance committee actions, authorized multiple project solicitations and adopted updates to permit fees and personnel rosters.

Lori Woodard of Woodard & Associates presented the 2024 financial audit, which the Jury accepted following a motion by Lonnie Hudson and a second by Toni Bacon. Treasurer Mr. Long later presented and the Finance Committee approved the claims for Aug. 15–Sept. 11, 2025; no further action was required on the committee’s budget-versus-actual reports.

Engineer Mr. Crosby presented bids for stripe painting at railroad crossings and recommended accepting the Highway Graphics LLC bid of $280,559.80; the Jury approved the award and authorized the president to sign contract documents. Mr. Crosby additionally received authorization to advertise the Sharp Lane and Mizell Lane projects for bids, to request a revised cost estimate for Eagle Rock Drive, to advertise the Fontana Road DRA project with a cooperative endeavor agreement with the I-20 Economic Development Board, and to award Lonewa Road Phase 1 drainage if bids come in under the engineer’s estimate.

The Finance Committee approved a repair for Courthouse Elevator No. 2 and the Jury allocated an additional $12,000–$15,000 for exploratory work, to be paid from the general fund. The Jury then ratified the committee’s actions during the regular session.

In personnel and program actions, the Jury approved several hires and reclassifications at Green Oaks (Juvenile Detention Officer II positions), adopted new job descriptions and promotions in the Housing Choice Voucher and WIOA youth programs, approved a cooperative endeavor to transfer surplus 911 office furniture to the Caldwell Parish 911 Communications District, and approved various Public Works personnel promotions and hires requested by Mr. Murray.

On funding for a specific road project, Mrs. Toni Bacon offered a motion to allocate $325,000 from the west-side sales tax fund to supplement a $325,000 state allocation for the Standard Reed Road project; the motion passed with Mr. Jimmy Tyson recorded as opposing. The Jury also approved Atlas Community Studios to apply for gap-funding grants on projects.

Mr. Larry Bratton proposed updates to construction permit and bonding fees, which the Jury approved; Mrs. Bacon abstained on that motion. Other administrative actions included approval of an updated cell phone policy, declaration of the Coroner’s 2011 Ford F350 as surplus, and approval for Fire Department travel and surplus vehicle sales at public auction.

The meeting closed after administrative reports and completion of listed personnel actions; the Jury adjourned at 6:50 p.m.

Votes at a glance: • Accept 2024 financial audit — approved (motion: Hudson; second: Bacon) — passed without opposition. • Award striping contract to Highway Graphics LLC ($280,559.80) — approved — passed without opposition. • Authorize advertising for Sharp Lane, Mizell Lane, Fontana Road DRA; award Lonewa Road Phase 1 if bids under estimate — approved — passed without opposition. • Allocate $325,000 (west-side sales tax) for Standard Reed Road supplement — approved; recorded opposition: Jimmy Tyson. • Update construction permit and bonding fees — approved; recorded abstention: Toni Bacon. • Adopt Resolution No. 25-35 appointing Julian Johnston to Ward Five Healthcare Foundation — adopted.

The Jury did not receive public comment on the agenda items during the public comment period. Several items were referred for future discussion or deferment as noted in the minutes. The Jury is expected to proceed with bid contracts and project solicitations according to the authorizations approved at the meeting.