What’s On The Saturday Ballot
BOBBY ARDOIN
St. Landry Now.com Editor
There are a variety of issues available for voters in different areas of St. Landry Saturday with ballots covering issues of fire protection, rural drainage and a town of Washington municipal referendum.
The early voting at the parish courthouse and Eunice City Hall ended for each ballot proposition ended last Saturday.
Registrar of Voters Byron Stelly said on Monday that he expects a low voter turnout due the flooding situation in northern St. Landry.
Stelly said the completed early results indicate that 1,287 persons voted in person, while 576 mail-in ballots were counted.
Stelly added that 972 voted at the Courthouse, while 315 cast ballots in Eunice
Washington Town Election
Mayor Dwight Landreneau said on Monday that the town election requests new requirements for police chief and qualifications for the town clerk and director of public works.
Landreneau said voters are being asked to change the police chief qualifications from an elected position to a position that is appointed by the mayor and approved by the Town Council.
“Right now the only qualification for the chief is that person needs to live in Washington for one year before taking office,” Landreneau added.
Landreneau said the requirements for town clerk and public works director are currently the same as those for the police chief.
Sunset Fire Protection
A 10-mill property tax, Stelly said, will be on the ballot in order to provide better fire protection service for the Sunset area.
If passed the millage is expected to generate about $343,900 annually for a 20-year period in order that the fire department can purchase and maintain equipment beginning in 2026.
Fire District 6
Voters in the Eunice area will have a chance to approve a 10-year property tax renewal of 5.16 mills used for equipment and operational expenses. If passed the millage is expected to generate $198,000 annually starting in 2027.
A notice posted on the District 6 Facebook Page indicates the proposition is not a millage increase.
Gravity Drainage Election
Another renewal that targets the No. 20 Bellevue and Coulee Croche gravity drainage district, seeks to renew a 10-year millage of 7.84 mills. The proposition said if approved the millage will generate $210,000 annually for 10 years.
