With a final day deadline looming, the Jonesboro Board of Aldermen came together in the Conference Room of City Hall for a special-called meeting on Monday, June 30th, to adopt the 2025-26 budget and avoid sanctions by the state for being non-compliant. 

The action was one of 12 Ordinances that were adopted, including seven budget-related items, the amendment of a zoning area, regulation of size and placement of overhead signs, and two items regarding garbage rates and how trash would be collected in the future. 

“Despite the problems earlier in the month in getting everyone together, I applaud the Board for coming together and putting the interest of the town at the forefront so that we can continue moving forward,” said Jonesboro Mayor James “Spike” Harris. 

What Harris was referring to was the ability to get at least a quorum of Board members in attendance to get the needed business handled after several attempts to convene failed due to not enough members being on hand. After the tragic passing of Councilman James Ginn earlier in June, the board was left with only four members. Quorum requirements stated that at least three members must be present, but in prior attempts to meet, only two were present each time. 

Regarding the empty seat, Tracy Ginn, wife of James, was present in hopes that her selection by Mayor Harris to fill the vacancy had been approved by Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, but was told that the appointment had not yet been confirmed.

After all Ordinances were adopted, the head of each of the town departments came before the council to give their reports, highlighted by the news given by Public Works Director Karl Johnson. 

“I am pleased to report that all 50 streets that were on the list to receive overlays have had the work completed and that for the first time in a long time, we completed the month without having to do any major water line repairs,” stated Johnson.

In regard to water developments in the town of Jonesboro, Johnson continued his report by pontificating on the ongoing water meter installation program, stating that 600 of the expected 2700 meters to be put in place had been installed. 

“As expected, we encountered a few problems with leaking lines and such, but overall the installation is going smoothly, said Johnson, who asked that council members remind their partitioners to check for leaks before the installation of the meters takes place.

“You will want to have residents of your ward check their lines before we put the meters in place to give them the ability to get any problems fixed before we start reading the meters,” said Johnson. “Now that a consumer is going to be charged for the actual usage, the last thing they want to have happen is seeing a large water bill that is result of leaks in their line or because of things like a toilet constantly running.”

The session closed with Mayor Harris and Council members complimenting the Public Works department for their diligent efforts. 

“As you may not know, we are now doing the majority of water and street repairs on our own, along with assistance from the Jackson Parish Police Jury, which has allowed us not to have to rely on outside contractors for work that has proven very costly in the past,” said Harris. “The Council and I applaud Public Works for the great job they are doing.”  

To view the Monday, June 30th, Town of Jonesboro Board of Aldermen meeting in it’s entirety, click here or go to https://www.facebook.com/share/1EArQoFdgB/