Madison Parish Police Jury accepts economic-board resignation, approves rail-car crossing and renews LSU AgCenter agreement

The Madison Parish Police Jury met in Tallulah on March 10, 2025, and approved a series of routine and local infrastructure items, including accepting a resignation from the parish economic board and renewing a cooperative agreement with the Louisiana State University AgCenter.

President Jane Sanders called the meeting to order at 4 p.m. and jurors approved the consent agenda — which included the February 24 minutes, building reports for January and February, February financials, the February garbage and sewer report, and the outstanding invoice report — on a motion from Jerry Hicks and a second from Stanley Ogden. The motion carried with no discussion.

The jury accepted the verbal resignation of A. Lee from the Madison Parish Economic Board, who relinquished a checkbook and other documents when he said his job requires him to be out of town for extended periods. Johnny Hughes moved to accept the resignation; Dave Wilson seconded and the motion carried.

The Secretary announced that the jury plans to consider a resolution at its April 14, 2025 meeting to order an election to authorize renewal of ad valorem taxes in Madison Parish. The Secretary/Treasurer also requested authority to pay outstanding invoices as funds are available; Hughes moved and Hicks seconded that the jury pay invoices based on available funds or as funds become available, and the motion carried.

Visitor J. Hilderbrand asked for permission to install a canal crossing across Joe’s Bayou. After discussion the jury granted permission to install a rail car crossing at that location on a motion from Hughes with a second from Wilson.

The jury voted to renew its cooperative agreement with the LSU AgCenter for five years. Hughes moved the renewal and Hicks seconded; no further discussion was recorded.

To comply with Title 44, the jury appointed Mrs. Williams and Ms. Shoulders as Record Officers; they will attend training in Baton Rouge and, upon completion, Mrs. Williams’ pay will increase by $2.75 per hour and Ms. Shoulders’ pay will increase by $2.49 per hour. The minutes also note the 2025 Summer Student Program will again be offered to high school students aged 16–18; prior participants may be rehired only if there are no qualifying new applicants.

There was no discussion of correspondence during the meeting. Johnny Hughes moved to adjourn; the minutes were signed by Secretary/Treasurer Margarett Dew and President Jane Sanders.

What happens next: the jury will consider a resolution to call an April 14, 2025 election on renewal of ad valorem taxes at its next regular meeting.