The Natchitoches Parish Council met on Monday, April 20, to address a heavy agenda ranging from infrastructure disputes and legal settlements to low-income housing and upcoming tax renewals.
The meeting opened with a heated discussion regarding recent damages to local water systems caused by fiber-optic cable installation crews. A representative for the Chestnut-Readhimer water system reported over 14 line breaks and the destruction of more than 400 feet of main line on Highway 126 alone.
“We serve about 600 people through 200 connections,” he told the council. “We can do without internet quicker than we can water.”
He alleged that while the contractors admitted fault, their settlement offer was insufficient. “They wanted to send me a check for $1,300 for $30,000 of damage,” he stated. Parish officials and representatives from the Louisiana Rural Water Association (LRWA) have committed to intervening to ensure the utility providers are properly compensated for repairs.
Jared Dunahoe, representing the parish’s legal counsel, briefed the council on a new national opioid settlement involving six major distributors. While the national total sits at approximately $97 million, the exact portion allocated to Natchitoches remains undetermined.
“It all depends on how many qualifying entities opt into this settlement,” Dunahoe explained. The council was asked to authorize the Parish President to execute the necessary documents before the May 4 deadline. The funds will be restricted to specific uses related to healthcare and opioid abatement, similar to previous settlement payouts.
Dorothy McGaskey of the Henry O’Flippo Foundation requested a $70,000 contribution from the parish to support the Sanford-Grace-Dixon Street Project. The foundation has already completed three low-income houses and seeks to secure more property for affordable housing within the city.
The council noted that the City of Natchitoches has already contributed $34,500 toward the initiative. McGaskey emphasized that the goal is to move residents toward becoming taxpayers and contributing members of the local economy.
Treasurer Julie Lockhart delivered a sobering financial report, noting that sales tax revenue is down approximately 20%. While some of the dip was attributed to temporary collection issues, Lockhart warned that if the trend continues, “we’re probably going to be looking at some kind of budget movement.”
The council also discussed the upcoming May 16 election, which features renewals for:
Road District 40 (providing $1.5 million for roads)
Government Buildings
The Health Unit
The Parish Library
Council members expressed concern over a lack of public awareness regarding the renewals. “If we lose funding for government buildings… it takes care of our voting facilities, it takes care of all those things,” one member noted, urging for better communication with voters before they head to the polls.
Public Safety and New Ordinances
In a move to address “blinding” dust clouds on unpaved roads, the council introduced several ordinances to reduce speed limits from 35 mph to 15 mph on Holman Loop, Pasture Road and Ben Gellette Road.
Additionally, the council approved a one-time $600 salary supplement for full-time parish employees who have been on the payroll for at least 12 months. The supplement is funded by a surplus in the worker’s compensation fund, a result of a significant decrease in workplace accidents and litigation over the past few years.
