Washington Parish Council
Regular Meeting -6:00 p.m.
February 11, 2008
Courthouse Building
Minutes
Item No. 1-Call to order -Chairman Nassauer called the meeting to order.
Item No.2 -Invocation -Councilman Posey gave the invocation.
Item No.3 -Roll call-Clerk Sharon Lyons called the roll. Present were Kenneth Wheat, Michael Fussell, Charles Nassauer, Andre' Johnson, Randy Thomas, Greg Route, and Aubrey Posey.
None were absent.
Item No.4 -Approval of minutes -Councilman Posey offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Thomas to table the approval of the minutes of the January 28, 2008 until the
next meeting. All in favor the motion carried.
Item No.5 -Adoption of the financial report -There was no financial report.
Item No.6 -Introduction of an Ordinance -An ordinance authorizing the Parish
President to enter into a lease agreement with St. Paul A.M.E. Church for use of polling facility. (Introduced by Andre' Johnson)
Item No.7 -Introduction of an Ordinance -An ordinance authorizing the Parish
President to sign all necessary documents to renew the lease agreement with LSU on
property located on Highway 10 at Sheridan. (Introduced by Councilman Thomas)
Councilman Posey offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Johnson to open the agenda and add an Introduction of an Ordinance. All in favor the motion carried.
Introduction of an Ordinance -An ordinance authorizing the Parish President to enter into a contract with Praeses LLC to provide Jurisdiction Online Service agreement. (Introduced by Councilman Nassauer)
Item No.8 -Resolution -Councilman Johnson offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Posey to table this resolution concerning changing the name of the Varnado Recreation Center. All in favor the motion carried.
Item No.9 -Public Participation -No one addressed the Council during the public participation. Councilman Thomas offered a motion, seconded by Councilman Fussell to close the public participation. All in favor the motion carried.
Item No. 10 -President's Report -President Thomas reported to the Council the 2006 audit has been completed and sent into the Legislative Auditor. We are 'now starting to work on the 2007 audit with Kushner & LaGraize.
Item No. 11 -Council Discussion -Councilman Thomas stated that the Council started an ordinance last year concerning the tax exemption of equipment, feed and farm supplies for the Parish. I would like to hear from Mr. Gatewood, legal counsel, on the status of this ordinance.
Mr. Gatewood stated that nothing has been finalized. I have been waiting for input from Farm Bureau's legal counsel. The only legal concern I can think of is that the legislation is very vague. We have questions if this body can exempt taxes for other bodies which the legislation does not address. Old legislation, by which I mean legislation that, is already in place that gives exemption from state taxes for some farm equipment, and allows the Parish to give the same exemptions for their portions, except school board taxes. New state legislation also allows for exemptions, but is vague as to what might qualify, nor does it address whether other taxes may be exempted. That is the legal question here. No Parish in the State of Louisiana has yet enacted this legislation.
Chairman Nassauer stated the Council passed an ordinance that supported what the state was doing, but in effect this did not enact the tax. I think we need a more complicated ordinance. I support giving farmers tax breaks on equipment, and certain things like that,
but where do we draw the line? You have to draw the line somewhere. We really need to get a more specific ordinance. Personally, I want to give them a break, and I want to support the farmers of the Parish in what I think is the meaning and the nature of the ordinance. I think we need to get more specific and in any way you can assist us, I would appreciate it.
Councilman Fussell stated that he would like to meet with Mr. Gatewood and discuss a couple of things concerning this ordinance.
Item No. 12 -Adjourn -Having no further business to come before the council, the
meeting adjourned on motion by Councilman Route, seconded by Councilman Thomas. All in favor and the motion carried.
Sharon Lyons, Clerk of the Council
Dr. Charles A. Nassauer, Chairman Washington Parish Council