Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

SPECIAL TO THE DAILY NEWS

FRANKLINTON, La. — The Washington Parish Council convened Monday, March 24, in the council chambers of the Washington Parish Courthouse. The agenda included infrastructure projects, industrial tax exemption applications and board appointments.

Sonnet Ireland, director of the Washington Parish Library, addressed the council. Ireland reported that the library had secured two grants through the American Library Association this year, including $10,000 from the Library’s Transforming Communities initiative, which it has won for three consecutive years. She said the funds would be used to repair the ramp at the Enon branch and improve bathroom accessibility. Additionally, the library received a Community Connect Grant, which provided five hotspots and $2,000, an emergency preparedness grant, and the Louisiana Project Grant, which funds the annual summer reading program.

Kim Wagner, Vice Chairman, asked Ireland about the summer reading grant’s value, to which she responded that it was $5,000. She also confirmed that the emergency preparedness grant amounted to $10,000. Ireland noted that she was encouraged to apply for the director position due to the library’s strong track record in securing and utilizing grant funding. “I’m really honored to be a part of that,” she said.

Council members considered Ordinance 25-751, which authorized Parish President Richard Thomas to engage Pistorius Associates, LLC, for the design and management of various construction projects. Additionally, Ordinance 25-752 directed the parish president to execute documents for the 2026-2027 fiscal year Louisiana Community Development Block Grant application.

A series of resolutions were introduced, including multiple board appointments. The council voted on appointing members to the Washington Parish Recreation District Board #1, the Washington Parish Fire Protection District #6 and the Washington Parish Library Board of Control.

Other resolutions focused on surplus property management, with measures authorizing the donation or trade-in of unused parish assets. Infrastructure remained a key topic, as the council considered a resolution supporting improvements to the Varnado and Bogue Lusa Water Works Districts and another backing the Washington Parish Bridge to Culvert Program.

Economic development was also addressed, as the council reviewed applications for Louisiana’s Industrial Tax Exemption Program. Public participation took place, followed by a report from the parish president and a discussion period for council members. The next regular meeting was set for Monday, April 14.