The Natchitoches Parish Council addressed a wide-ranging agenda at its Aug. 18 meeting, covering issues that stretched from floodplain management and road removals to outside legal contracts, departmental updates, and port development.
One of the major topics centered on discrepancies in base flood elevation (BFE) determinations around Hampton Lake and the Red River. Earlier permits allowed homes to be built at elevations near 114 feet, while more recent calculations require 119 feet. Parish staff, with assistance from a floodplain expert, are working to reconcile FEMA standards with historical benchmarks. Officials noted that as many as 30 homes or camps could be affected. Concerns were raised that property owners who built under the lower standard could face difficulties refinancing or obtaining flood insurance. The council later adopted a resolution establishing new base flood elevations for the area, aligning parish standards with FEMA and engineering data.
Council members also introduced Ordinance 14-2025 to remove 16,804 feet of Provencal Vowell Mills Road from the parish road system. The measure passed unanimously, with members noting the road primarily serves timberland rather than residents. Another ordinance was introduced to remove Tom Stevenson Road from the system, giving the sole property owner the ability to restrict access.
Additional ordinances authorized the parish to purchase property in Robeline and Natchez for new library branches.
Two ordinances were adopted during the session: one repealing a 1996 measure on inmate medical expense reimbursement, and another establishing minimum standards for permitting and operation of solar energy centers in the parish.
Auditor Jessica Broadway of TCBT presented the parish’s audit for the year ending June 30, 2025. The parish received an unmodified opinion, indicating no major financial issues. One material weakness related to payroll internal controls was identified but has been corrected through new policies. A compliance issue involving sexual harassment training was also noted. Federal funds required a separate audit, which revealed no findings.
In departmental updates, the housing program reported strong participation, though staff continue to help residents with online applications. A generator project for the parish hospital remains in the planning stages, and officials discussed rising inmate medical costs. Reports also covered road overlay planning, heavy equipment maintenance, and progress on elevator modernization, though the courthouse elevator bid was withdrawn after the contractor pulled its proposal.
Several contracts and agreements were approved, including a cooperative arrangement with the Red River Waterway Commission for a reconstruction project. An agreement with Sabine Parish for trash disposal services did not pass with the Council members voting against it. The council also voted to hire outside legal counsel, replacing the current firm it uses, following the retirement of a key attorney.
Solid waste purchases for equipment were not authorized, including a demolition trailer, garbage truck, and compact containers.
The council revisited the possibility of creating a commercial enforcement officer position to monitor heavy hauling and road use by timber and oil companies. While the role is authorized in the personnel manual, the estimated cost of at least $30 per hour raised concerns. Members debated funding options such as permit fee increases but noted financial strains on the timber industry. No action was taken.
Economic development at the parish port was also discussed. Officials reported interest from companies but identified water supply as a key obstacle. Options under review include drilling wells and building a treatment plant rather than pursuing costly river water connections. Council members said they are working with legislators and stakeholders to explore solutions and funding.
Public comment included complaints from a resident about road conditions in the Northwood area. He described stretches where only one vehicle can pass safely and said the road is deteriorating to hazardous levels. Council members acknowledged the challenges of road maintenance across the parish, noting limited resources for both gravel and blacktop repairs.
