After ethics debate, Police Jury appoints Blake Bledsoe to Planning Commission; jurors raise conflict concerns about alternative nominee

The DeSoto Parish Police Jury appointed Blake Bledsoe to the Planning Commission on April 20 after a contentious discussion about potential conflicts if the jury instead appointed Matthew Raines.

During debate, several jurors cited ethics guidance and past convention statements that relatives of sitting jurors may be prohibited from serving on boards that the jury appoints. Legal counsel answered general questions about restrictions on hiring or appointing family members where substantive supervisory relationships or parish employment create conflicts. One juror said the matter was factually sensitive and recommended further research before voting on a relative’s appointment.

An alternate motion to defer consideration of the two nominees failed on a tie. The jury then proceeded with roll-call voting that produced a majority in favor of Blake Bledsoe; several jurors abstained where they had family connections. The motion's result filled the Planning Commission vacancy (term to expire 2028) left by the accepted resignation of Ashley Hadwin.

Mr. Norton (administrator) read procedural background and legal counsel described the applicable ethics considerations during the exchange. The jury did not make a formal legal determination at the meeting about whether a juror’s relative could serve; council staff indicated they would review the specifics if needed.

The appointment was recorded in the minutes as approved; jurors who abstained were recorded on the roll call, and the board moved on to other business.