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Kinder council approves gas infrastructure transfer to Coushatta Tribe, adopts utility rate changes and sets 2024 millage
Summary
At its July 8 meeting the Kinder Town Council voted unanimously to authorize transfer of certain gas infrastructure to the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana, adopt Ordinance No. 883 adjusting water, wastewater and gas fees, and set 2024 property tax millage rates (General Alimony 4.52 mills; General Purpose 9.66 mills).
Mayor Wayland LaFargue presided over the Town of Kinder council meeting on July 8, 2024, where the council voted unanimously on three formal measures affecting town infrastructure, utility fees and property tax rates.
The council adopted Resolution No. 2024-08 authorizing the mayor to execute an Assignment, Transfer and Settlement Agreement with the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana that transfers ownership of certain specified gas infrastructure to the tribe. Town Attorney Michael Holmes introduced the resolution; Councilwoman LaToya Tunwar moved for adoption and Councilman Jerry Nevils Jr. seconded. The motion passed on a roll-call vote, 4–0 (Councilwoman Susanne Sonnier was recorded as absent).
The council also held a public hearing on Ordinance No. 883, which would amend sections of the town code related to fixing water, wastewater and gas rates. Michael Holmes opened the hearing; there were no public comments and the hearing was closed. Councilwoman Angie Van Norman moved to adopt Ordinance No. 883 and Councilman Nevils seconded. The ordinance was adopted by a 4–0 roll-call vote.
On taxation, Town Clerk Traci Fontenot asked the council to consider Resolution No. 2024-07 to set the millage rates for tax year 2024. The council approved the resolution by the same 4–0 margin; the adopted rates were listed in the resolution as General Alimony, 4.52 mills, and General Purpose, 9.66 mills.
Council members received routine staff reports during the meeting. Lt. Jason Fontenot of the Kinder Police Department presented the department’s calls and reports for June. Jimbo Graham of Pan American Engineers updated the council on progress at the town’s wastewater treatment plant project and described work under a Louisiana Watershed Initiative grant to improve drainage in the Nixon Addition. Public Works Superintendent Eric Fontenot reviewed the town’s current water-loss report and outlined meter-reading software capabilities such as leak detection and reporting that may help reduce losses.
Procedural items on the agenda included approval of the June 3, 2024 minutes (motion by Councilman Nevils; second by Councilwoman LaToya Tunwar), which the council approved 4–0. With no further business the council adjourned.
The council did not record any public comment on Ordinance No. 883 during the hearing. The meeting record shows unanimous votes on the listed measures; the meeting minutes or adopted documents should be consulted for the full text of the transfer agreement and the ordinance provisions.
