Tangipahoa Parish fire district re-elects Hyde leadership, approves equipment purchases and tax renewal steps

Brigette Hyde was re-elected president of the T.P. Rural Fire Protection District No. 2 on Jan. 27, 2025, as the board also selected Darrell Sinagra as vice president and Jill DeSouge as secretary.

The board convened at the Gordon A. Burgess Governmental Building in Amite following the Tangipahoa Parish Council meeting. After a roll-call attendance (Buddy Ridgel recorded as absent in the meeting roster), members voted unanimously on a slate of routine and substantive items, including equipment purchases funded in part by ARPA dollars and several resolutions related to the district's tax authority.

Board members approved a motion to surplus and sell a 1994 E-One pumper (VIN 4ENRAAA86R1003118, Tag F4441) and to surplus a Lifepak AED (Tag 3553, s/n 41262435) and air bags (Tag 5026). The board accepted a turnkey quote from Power Cross, LLC for a trailer-mounted generator to be used as a portable emergency backup at a stated price of $92,400.00.

Using American Rescue Plan Act funds, the board authorized purchases of rescue and medical equipment for Loranger: quotes recorded in the minutes were Henry Schein $19,467.68, Bonavenure Co. $1,050.00 and Premier Fire Equipment $34,150.00. The board also approved purchasing Scott air packs from Premier Fire Equipment (funded with ARPA money) and authorized seeking a grant for a cascade breathing-air system for the Natalbany department.

On administrative and governance matters, the board accepted the 2024 Annual Report of Compliance with the Sexual Harassment Policy and adopted TPRFP No. 2 Resolution 25-01, which implements the 2024 Louisiana Compliance Questionnaire for the year Jan. 1'Dec. 31, 2024.

President Hyde read the canvass of the December 7, 2024 special election, showing 2,489 votes in favor and 726 against renewing a ten-mill property tax. Following that reading, the board adopted Resolution 25-02 to canvass returns and Resolution 25-03 directing renewal of the ten-mill ad valorem tax for a ten-year period (2026'2035) under Article VI, Section 32 of the Louisiana Constitution and La. R.S. 40:1501. The resolutions and motions were recorded as approved by roll call with the same yes votes and Ridgel recorded as absent on most items.

The board approved an amended TPRFP No. 2 contract for 2025'2029 (language change and inclusion of attachments) and accepted amendments to the Policies and Procedures Manual.

Administrator Mr. Atkins reported the leased F-250 will be fitted with a service bed to serve the 8th Ward until lease expiration and requested purchase of a personal F-150 from Gateway Ford at the lowest quoted price of $57,406.25; the board approved that purchase. Mr. Atkins also asked the board to seek bids for annual pump, ladder and hose testing and general preventative maintenance; the board approved soliciting bids.

The meeting closed with a brief notice of an upcoming session from Representative Wheat and an adjournment motion by David Vial that passed with no opposition. Minutes were signed by Secretary Jill DeSouge and President Brigette Hyde.

Note on transcript consistency: most roll-call entries list Buddy Ridgel as absent. For the agenda item seeking maintenance bids (recorded in the minutes at SEG 023), the transcript roll call text includes Ridgel among the names called; the minutes do not resolve that inconsistency. The article reflects the minutes as recorded and notes the discrepancy rather than altering attendance information.

Next procedural steps: the district has adopted resolutions to proceed with the tax renewal process and will follow statutory timelines for levy renewal and related administrative filings.