The Natchitoches Parish Council moved to modernize its legal code during its May 18 meeting, introducing ordinances to stiffen penalties for road damage and littering while updating local tax laws to include digital products.

The Council also introduced an amendment to the parish’s 1984 code to address “abusive use” of public infrastructure. The new fine schedule targets common causes of road deterioration and public safety hazards:

• Illegal Dumping: Fines of $500 for construction or household waste and a new ban on dumping animal remains.

• Roadway Damage: A $500 fine for damaging road surfaces.

• Permit Violations: A $500 fine for operating without required permits.

• Traffic & Safety: Fines of $200 for unauthorized vehicles (such as ATVs) on parish roads, $200 for disregarding traffic signs, and $50 for seatbelt violations.

Parish Treasurer Julie Lockhart outlined an ordinance to update Section 3221 to align with state law. This “cleanup” measure ensures that sales tax collection applies to digital products and services.

“When the state made digital products taxable, the city, school board, and parish hadn’t updated our ordinances to match,” the Treasurer explained. “This doesn’t change how they’re doing business; it just brings us into compliance with the current uniform tax code.”

In an effort to reduce the approval timeline for development projects from four months to two, the Council introduced several zoning changes that have already moved through preliminary Planning Commission hearings:

• Robeline Cell Tower: A special exemption for a tower on Highway 120.

• Mobile Home Community: A rezoning request for a parcel on Miles Road to “B3” for a rental mobile home community.

• Fulton Road Construction: Rezoning to “R1” for new family residential construction.

Public hearings for these projects are scheduled for the June 1 Planning Commission meeting at 5 p.m., followed by final Council action on June 15.

The Council also debated a resolution to spend $110,000 to resurface 250 feet of Williams Avenue. Some council members and residents questioned why that project was prioritized over other roads in worse condition. The measure ultimately died for lack of a second after a motion was made to add it to the agenda.

Peggy Smith and Fred Simon of the Natchitoches Tribe of Louisiana (a non-profit corporation) expressed interest in restoring the abandoned City Bank building in Campti. The group hopes to turn the 100-year-old structure into a museum and library using grant funding.

While the building is currently plagued by black mold and structural rot, Simon noted that grants are only available to owners of the property. The Council advised the group to meet with Parish President John Salter to discuss a potential sale or donation at fair market value. Historian Kevin Shanahan urged the parish to rescue any historical artifacts or yearbooks remaining in the building before they are lost to mold or demolition.