Madison Parish Police Jury renews WIC agreement, approves truck purchases, hires two laborers and backs HELPER Act

The Madison Parish Police Jury on March 27 in Tallulah adopted a cooperative endeavor agreement to renew the parish’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) participation and took a series of routine personnel and equipment actions.

President Jane Sanders said the jury would execute Resolution No. 2024‑4 with the Louisiana Department of Health to continue WIC services. The resolution authorizes the president to sign an agreement using a federal monthly appropriation of $4,386.67 for eligible WIC participants; the measure was adopted by roll call with jurors Jerry Hicks (District 1), Stanley Ogden (District 2), Dave Wilson (District 3), Johnny Hughes (District 4) and Jane Sanders (District 5) voting yea.

The jury also approved a request from the parish superintendent to hire two laborers, M. Skinner and J. Davis, to start April 3 at $15.83 per hour. The hires were approved on a motion by Jerry Hicks, seconded by Dave Wilson.

On capital purchases, jurors authorized the parish to proceed with delivery of three trucks the superintendent had been permitted to buy at $56,000 each, for a total purchase price of $168,000; the secretary/treasurer indicated the expenditure would be covered by LATCF funds. Jerry Hicks moved to proceed with the purchase, and Stanley Ogden seconded the motion.

The board voted to continue leasing a dozer at $2,126.00 per month after a discussion of the equipment’s financial implications. The superintendent also reported that parts had arrived to repair the gate of the dam.

President Sanders asked the jury to send a letter supporting the HELPER Act, a federal proposal to create a home‑loan program within the Federal Housing Administration for certain public‑safety and education workers; Jerry Hicks moved to send a letter to the parish’s congressional representatives and the motion passed by roll call with all jurors voting yea.

The jury approved several administrative and community items on common motions: acceptance of the consent agenda (including minutes and financial statements), authorization for the secretary/treasurer to pay outstanding invoices as funds become available, permission for the LSU/SU AgCenter Research & Extension office to use the courthouse courtyard for a 4‑H Pet Parade and Earth Day Celebration on April 22, and purchase of a new refrigerator for the Extension office.

The board also approved a suggestion that Dr. P. Candler be authorized to apply to the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) for renovation funding for the old health unit.

Jurors adopted proclamations declaring April 2024 as Fair Housing Month and as Parish Community Development Month to acknowledge the federal Fair Housing Act anniversary and the role of the Community Development Block Grant program in local projects.

The meeting adjourned after the routine business. The minutes were signed by Margarett Dew, Secretary/Treasurer, and Jane Sanders, President.