Although the Washington Parish Council held a public hearing prior to voting on five ordinances, court clerk Sarah Cook said no one from the community spoke during the hearing.

The ordinances were routine and all dealt with fiscal matters; all were passed during the regular meeting.

The first ordinance gave a 9-percent pay raise to Cook, and all members of the council aside from Michael Fussell approved that.

The next ordinance adjusted millage rates for the next year. The parish’s rates will remain the same, though homes in the parish have been assessed at a slightly higher value, so homeowners may notice a slight change. However, Cook said the tax bill would only be “a few pennies” more than last year’s.

The next ordinance allowed the parish to levy property taxes in 2016. The next ordinance allowed the parish to levy taxes for the courthouse in 2016. Finally, the parish approved a development ordinance that beefed up requirements for manufactured and mobile homes and RV parks in the parish.

The council heard no public comments at the meeting, but the council did also recognize educator Freddie Houston Jefferson as a community leader.

A proclamation was read, praising Jefferson’s dedication to his community, including his 40 years as an educator at Wesley Ray High School and his time on the parish’s school board and as a longtime community supporter.

Parish President Richard “Ned” Thomas proclaimed that Saturday will be “Freddie Houston Jefferson Night.” A special ceremony will be held beginning at 6 p.m. at Wesley Ray Elementary School.