By T. Scott Boatright
The Lincoln Parish Police Jury looked toward the future Tuesday by making a pair of administrative moves during its July meeting at the Lincoln Parish Courthouse.
One of those moves was bringing back Laura Hartt as parish treasurer.
Hartt served as parish treasurer from 2015-17 and returned in 2021, working part time on a contract basis and performing accounting services for the Police Jury.
Michael Sutton was appointed parish treasurer in January 2022, but with Hartt’s return, he will become the assistant parish administrator. Kevin Klepzig previously held that position until January when he was promoted to Director of Operations.
Those moves were made with an eye toward the future as Parish Administrator Courtney Hall’s tenure in that role ends in December.
“My top priority before I leave is to ensure the transition is a seamless, solid transition of leadership,” Hall said. “To that end, I am presenting a strategic reorganization tonight that secures our future without disrupting our present day-to-day operations.
“Laura has direct, proven experience as parish treasurer, meaning she can step in on day one with a zero learning curve. Laura also has extensive experience in competitive grant writing and grant monitoring, which will help this parish aggressively pursue outside funding and protect our local tax dollars.”
Hartt’s hiring allows Sutton to move into an assistant parish administrator position, setting up the parish’s administrative leadership once Hall departs.
“Over his tenure as treasurer, Michael has proven his capability and loyalty, and he has a deep understanding of the parish’s financial landscape. Over the next six months, Michael will work directly under me to expand his knowledge and experience to include high-level executive operations, major public works projects and intergovernmental relations.
“Unlike in the past, by the time my term ends, the LPPJ will not be left scrambling and searching for an outside hire who has no knowledge or experience in leading this parish. This restructuring accomplishes three things: No. 1, it keeps the incredible momentum in Lincoln Parish moving forward. No. 2, it injects new grant-writing capabilities into the finance office. No. 3, most importantly, it guarantees seamless organizational stability and continuity.”
The LPPJ also adopted a resolution calling for a special election to be held in Police Jury District 5 in December to submit to voters certain local option provisions regarding the potential sale of alcoholic beverages and to provide for other related matters.
Also adopted was a resolution evidencing public approval of bonds to be issued by the Capital Area Finance Authority pursuant to Section 147 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and authorizing Police Jury President Glenn Scriber to sign documents related to that matter.
“The Capital Area Finance Authority is an organization that issues bonds to provide funding for low-income residents to help them make a down payment on a house,” Hall said. “They keep exceeding their bonding capacity. This is actually the third time they’ve come to us and asked to do this again, which is a good thing because it brings in a lot of money for first-time homebuyers.”
The Police Jury also adopted a resolution authorizing a cooperative endeavor agreement between the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and the LPPJ for the donation of reclaimed asphalt pavement and authorizing Scriber to sign related documents.
The LPPJ also approved a number of public works items, including accepting the lone bid for a six-month supply of maintenance hot mix from Amethyst of West Monroe at $115 per ton and approving Change Order No. 1 for the Shady Grove Road bridge replacement project in the amount of $12,333.70 for work on the bridge approaches.
Jurors also approved Change Order No. 1 for the Make-A-Difference Project in the amount of $17,000, Change Order No. 1 for the CIP Hot Mix Overlay Project in the amount of $108,829.60 and authorized a certificate of substantial completion for the overlay project.
Also approved was declaring various items as surplus, including an X-ray machine once used at the Lincoln Parish Courthouse before a new one was purchased, a 2008 Dodge Ram pickup truck and a number of unused items from the Lincoln Parish Library.
The LPPJ also agreed to provide aid to the city of Grambling for ditch work at 218 Mockingbird Lane and 228 Webster St.
Before the meeting began, the LPPJ also heard from Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District candidate Gabe Firment of Pollock, who announced earlier this month that he is running for the seat and is seeking support.
Firment has served as a state representative since 2019 and is the current chairman of the House Insurance Committee.
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