The Jackson Parish Police Jury held a Special Called meeting on Friday, November 21st in the Nathaniel Zeno, Jr. Meeting Room of the Jackson Parish Administrative Building, located at 160 Industrial Drive in Jonesboro.
Seven items were on the agenda for Jury Members Todd Culpepper (President), Amy Magee (Vice-President), Lewis Chatham, Sheketia Combs, Tarneshala “Niki” Cowans, Regina Rowe, and Keith Burris to consider.
The session began with the adoption of a Proclamation, pursuant to LA
R.S.18;602(E)(2)(a) ordering a special election to fill the said vacancy of Jackson Parish Sheriff for the remainder of the unexpired term as follows:
(1) The Special Primary Election shall be held on May 16, 2026
(2) The Special General Election (Run off) shall be held on June 27, 2026
It was also deemed that the dates for qualifying for the candidates in the Special Election shall be February 11, 12, and 13, 2026.
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, The Jackson Parish Police Jury has received official notification from the Louisiana Secretary of State of the resignation of the Sheriff of Jackson Parish, effective November 14, 2025.
WHEREAS, the resignation has created a vacancy in the office of Sheriff, and the unexpired term of office in which the said vacancy exits exceed one year.
NOW THEREFORE, THE Jackson Parish Police Jury does hereby issue the Proclamation pursuant to LA R.S.18;602(E)(2)(a) ordering a special election to fill the said vacancy of Jackson Parish Sheriff for the remainder of the unexpired term as follows:
(1) THE Special Primary Election shall be held on May 16, 2026; and
(2) The Special General Election shall be held on June 27, 2026;
The dates for qualifying for the candidates in the Special Election shall be February 11, 12, and 13, 2026.
This Proclamation shall be published in the official journal of Jackson Parish and a copy thereof shall be sent by certified or registered mail to the clerk of the Second Judicial District Court of Jackson Parish, Louisiana Secretary of State as required by law.
The panel then agreed to accept the 2025 budget amendments and the 2026 budget for the Jackson Parish Library Board, as well as the Jackson Parish Recreation Board’s proposed general fund budget ending December 31, 2026.
After the minutes of the November 10, 2025, Policy and Personnel Committee meeting and the November 19, 2025, Finance Committee meeting were approved, the 2-year contract of Secretary-Treasurer, Nia Watkins, was renewed.
In final action, a pair of parish board appointments were made with Tim Atkins selected as District 2 representative to the Jackson Parish Recreation Board and Mrs. Khiana Loyd to the Museum board to represent District 4.
For complete minutes of the Special Meeting, go to the Classifieds Section of this edition of the Jackson Parish Journal.
The Jackson Parish Police Jury is slated to meet again on December 8th for its regularly scheduled monthly meeting.