Tensas PJ ties up loose ends at last 2015 public meeting

The Tensas Parish Police Jury held their regular meeting, the last meeting of 2015, on Tuesday, December 22.
During the meeting, there was a public hearing to abandon a portion of Sac-A-Lait Road, as previously discussed. The jury carried a motion to abandon the portion of the road.
Next was a public hearing on the 2016 budget, which was passed, and ammending the 2015 budget was discussed and then a motion was passed on such.
Dennis Burns, of the LSU AgCenter appeared before the jury to discuss the 2015 Annunal Report of the Tensas Parish Cooperative Extension Office and Northeast Research Station.
Burns thanked the jury for working with the AgCenter throughout the year and gave a brief report of accomplishments of the center and its team.
The LSU AgCenter extension office moved to the reserach station from the community center to the research station in August, housing them where they already held events and participated in field day, and according to Burns, it has worked out well having their offices moved there.
Next, the jury discussed and and approved the North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory Commission Amended 2015 budget and proposed 2016 budget.
There was then discussion of Gentry Road, on the Newellton side of Lake Bruin, where there was an issue with where parish maintenance ended. Where the road curves, there is a private drive in the opposite direction to which the curve extends. The owner of that private drive came to an agreement with the jury to place a sign on his property reading “private drive”, rather than the jury placing a sign at their cost.
The just then discussed and approved an engagement letter from Silas Simmons for the 2015 audit.
The next discussion was concerning the LGAP Grants the jury will apply for in 2016. Juryman Danny Clark suggested to apply for $100,000 and “we will see what we get”.
The jury then discussed the issues with repairs at the jail being completed in a timely manner. Juryman Rod Webb stated that he had personally seen the plumber there working, even on the weekend. It is imperative that the work be completed soon, not only so that the jury can apply for other grants, but because the cost of housing inmates elsewhere is adding up daily.
The jury approved an alcohol license renewal for Lake Bruin Golf and Country Club, 1893 Hwy 606, St Joseph, La.
Before the adjournment of the meeting, each of the four jury members who wouldn’t be returning in the new year were awarded with an engraved plaque and thanked for their many years of service to their parish.
The first Police Jury meeting of 2016 will be held on January 11th at 10:00 A.M. at the Tensas Governmental Complex in the Police Jury Meeting Room, 212 Hancock Street in St Joseph. The public is encouraged to attend.
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