Natchitoches Parish · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Natchitoches Parish public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Litter and debris along Highway 1 North
Residents returned to press for a permanent fix to trash along LA 1 — one cleanup happened, but litter came right back. The council noted it's a state highway and discussed creating part-time parish litter-crew positions and an adopt-a-highway program.
2027 Operating and Capital Budget adoption
Parish President Salter says the parish is spending over $2 million in some months, with out-of-state jail management and private waste contracts eating money. The parish has put about $750,000 into the budget for jail medical care.
Blighted property and code enforcement gaps
The parish introduced its new code enforcement officer, a 38-year law enforcement veteran, who will target illegal dumping and unpermitted trucks damaging parish roads. New fines of $50 to $500 were introduced to back him up.
In-house oil sand / pug mill proposal
Public Works wants to buy a ~$346,000 pug mill to make oil sand in-house, saying it could cut the cost of fixing dirt roads roughly in half versus contractor work. The council wants to see how the Collins Road test holds up through winter first.
Speed limit reductions on parish roads
The council finalized 15 mph limits on Holman Loop, Pasture Road, and Ben Gellette Road over dust and child-safety concerns, and introduced the same for Independence Street.
Solid Waste scale house replacement
The current scale house is falling apart — leaking roof, failing brakes, mold, exposed wiring — and the council agreed to replace it now at a bid of about $125,176 rather than waiting for next year's budget.
Potential solar farm and battery storage project
A large solar farm with significant battery storage is being explored for the parish, and a neighboring parish official reported tens of millions in economic benefit from a similar project. Details and a public update session are expected soon.
Insurance agent change to Alera Group
After a disputed $3,130 travelers' audit bill and poor customer service, the parish is switching brokers to Alera Group, which will negotiate the renewal and shop the market.
$660,000 CDBG grant and Brickyard overpass planning
The parish is applying for the State's Community Development Block Grant program for 2026 and 2026/2027.
State appropriations for roads and facilities (CEAs)
Residents from Ralph Street and Hwy 3191 begged the council for lasting road repairs, describing potholes that reappear days after gravel patches and a failing culvert. The council explained the parish has 800 miles of road and only enough budget to overlay a fraction each year, and said the parish president sets priorities. A proposal to spend $110,000 on Williams Avenue drew objections because it moves $10,000 out of the road aggregate budget.
East Natchitoches Drainage project and servitudes
Construction slipped to 2027, but the parish is moving ahead on buying property and servitudes now, with bidding hoped for by December.
International Paper assessment appeal
The closed International Paper mill wants its assessed value cut 50%, which would hit every taxing district's revenue. Assessor Yolanda Reed refused and the council backed her 5-0.
2025 Audit Shows Parish Finances Improving
The parish got a clean audit with net position up $6.4 million, revenue up $2.3 million, and both prior-year findings fixed.
Roadside litter on Highway 1 and Highway 504
Residents say trash, tires and debris are piling up on parish roads, creating night-time driving hazards and embarrassing the parish before tourists. They want a dedicated cleanup program, enforcement of covered-load fines, and possibly a $1–2 landfill fee to fund cleanup. The parish points to a new code enforcement officer and a recently passed litter ordinance.
Patrick Road speed limit reduction
A proposed ordinance would cut the speed limit on Patrick Road from 35 to 25 mph for safety. It was introduced and will come back for action later.
Felise Lacaze Road abandonment dispute
The council overrode the parish president's veto of Ordinance 018-2026, which dealt with abandonment procedures not being followed for Felise Lacaze Road. The road's status on the parish maintenance system stays tangled up in this fight.
NRMC generator project delay
The hospital's backup generator is on back order and won't arrive until next year, so that project is also being pushed to 2027 in the budget amendment. The existing generator can't run the HVAC system, a concern raised in hurricane season.
Public works staffing shortage
The parish is down to just two grader operators. A resident offered to refer experienced candidates, and the pay scale is around $21-22 per hour.
Seven road overlays awaiting approval clarification
President Salter has seven road overlays ready with bids in hand, but they stalled over whether they're 'capital improvements' requiring council approval under the Home Rule Charter. The council and the president agreed to work out whether the projects qualify and bring clarity next month.
Seismic survey across Natchitoches and Sabine parishes
Seitel wants to run a 305-square-mile 3-D seismic survey centered around Robeline, using 60,000-pound vibrator trucks on parish roads and drilled charges in the woods. The company asked for road-use permits and promised to repair any damage; work is targeted for around August.
Bethany Road repair agreement with Adamas Energy
New fines target heavy trucks damaging parish roads, ATVs, illegal dumping and blowing signs — but the seatbelt fine was stripped out and the parish president may veto over farm-use exemptions.
Louisiana Maneuvers Heritage Trail hub bid
The parish wants in on a planned WWII Louisiana Maneuvers museum and heritage trail — a tourism and history opportunity, though other parishes are competing for it.
Precinct 4-9 polling place relocation
With the old junior high closing, voters who used the 1621 Welch Street precinct will now vote at L.P. Vaughn Elementary on Gold Street.
Felise Lacaze Road abandonment rescinded
The council pulled back its road abandonment after learning a landowner who bought 420 acres never got the required notice — and the road is his only way in. A property owner's access and proper legal procedure were both at stake.
Pre-positioned hurricane debris contracts
The parish locked in standby contracts for debris pickup and monitoring so it won't have to re-bid mid-crisis after the next hurricane — no cost unless a disaster actually hits.
Planning Commission quorum failure stalls zoning cases
The Planning Commission couldn't get a quorum in June, forcing the council to table four zoning ordinances until the commission can properly vote. Parish officials plan to meet with the chairman about the problem.
Allen Buller Road condition and safety
A resident described a road degraded from asphalt to dust, SB 2 dust causing health worries, and 911 response concerns with Highway 487 closed. Public works promised to send graders and remove the material.
Failed parish tax propositions and December retry
Only the road district tax renewal passed in the last election; the other parish propositions failed. They can't make the November ballot, so the earliest retry is December, and council members urged an information campaign to educate voters.
Fire Protection District No. 5 tax renewal election
Voters in Fire Protection District No. 5 will decide November 3 whether to renew a special tax supporting the fire district.
Old City Bank building in Campti
The Natchitoches Tribe wants to restore the abandoned, mold-riddled ~100-year-old bank building in Campti as a museum and library using grants — but the parish can't donate it, so the tribe would need to buy it at fair market value through the surplus process.
Cyberattack on parish computer network
The parish's internet and phone system were knocked out by an attack hammering the firewall with 50 requests per second, but the IT vendor restored service within hours.
May 16 ballot propositions — roads, buildings, health unit, library
Four tax propositions go before voters May 16, including Road District 40, which provides $1.5 million for parish roads. Councilman Halm pressed for voter education, warning failure could gut road and facility funding.
Data centers and power generation at the port
A zoning change now allows data centers, digital infrastructure, and power generation in the port's heavy industrial district — pitched as a way to attract big facilities and revenue.
Fiber contractor damage to rural water systems
A fiber-optic contractor bored too shallow on Highway 126, breaking the Reheimer water system's lines 14+ times and delaying the system's own improvement project by years. The parish and DA's office are working on permitting fixes so contractors can't get new permits until they pay for damage.
Opioid settlement funds for the parish
The parish is opting into a new $97 million national settlement with six opioid distributors. The parish's cut depends on how many entities opt in by May 4; funds must be used for approved opioid-remediation purposes.
Sales tax collections down 20 percent
Sales tax revenue dropped about 20% last month. Collections issues were cleaned up, but if the next couple of months don't rebound, expect a budget amendment.
Worker safety bonus funded by workers' comp rebates
Parish employees with 12+ months on payroll will get a one-time $600 payment from a workers' comp rebate fund that can't legally be spent on anything else. It only survives if the parish stays accident-free through year's end.
Swyft Fiber damage to water systems
A water system operator says Swyft Fiber's boring crews busted his lines 18 times, causing roughly $28,000 in damage — money he had budgeted for 2026 improvements. Swyft agreed to pay some damages then backed out; the parish attorney now has the invoices.
Levy Taylor Road returned to parish system
A half-mile stretch abandoned in 1993 is being brought back so a resident in failing health can receive home health care visits. Making the road passable is estimated at about $8,000.
Blanchard Road and Clark Road project funding
Because the Blanchard Road project got state appropriations with no local match required, the parish can move the match money it had saved over to fully fund the Clark Road project.
Trail ride regulation petition
A concerned-citizens petition wants the parish's large-gathering ordinance to specifically cover trail rides — health certificates for animals, no motorized vehicles, a 25-animal cap, and no riding on private property. A 2024 trail ride near Highways 1225/1226/1227/84/71 drew over a thousand people and ended in a shooting that killed one and injured three. The council will review the proposed language with the parish attorney.
Data centers and power generation in I-2 zones
The port director asked the parish to amend its 1991 zoning ordinance so data centers, digital infrastructure and power generation are allowed by right in the heaviest industrial zone — meaning projects there wouldn't need a rezone, though they'd still need permits. Introduced only; a public hearing and final vote come later.
Fiber internet coverage gaps
A resident representing a small community between Plaucheville and the police jury shooting range says Swyft Fiber skipped his area and wants it included in phase two.
Julia Ann Drive road deterioration
A Julia Ann Drive family says their 40-year-old road is falling apart, and that gravel-and-dirt patching just washes away and damages vehicles. They're pushing the parish to seek Cane River Waterway Commission funds for a proper overlay.
Contracted building permits and floodplain services
The parish is paying the Rapides Area Planning Commission $2,000 a month to handle building permits and floodplain work, making the parish a one-stop shop for permit seekers. The debate exposed lingering frustration over how the parish's own permit administrator was let go.
Fairview Union Water System grant application
The water system serving areas up to Fairview Alpha has major problems and needs a new filter. The parish will apply for Community Water Enrichment Fund grant money to get started — no parish match needed if the application succeeds.
Fire Protection District No. 10 tax renewal
Voters in Fire District 10 will vote June 27, 2026 on renewing a special tax that funds their fire protection.
Shooting range lease renewal
Billy Ebarb asked when the parish will renew the expired lease (it lapsed in 2022) for the public shooting range. The Parish President agreed to work out remaining issues.
Natchitoches Day at the Capitol
Laura Lyles asked the parish for $3,000 toward the March 25 Natchitoches Day at the Capitol, a regional advocacy event the council took under consideration.
FAUNA spay-neuter funding request
FAUNA, the merged Humane Society and Hope for Paws, gets $60,000 — but an extra $5,000 for the spay-neuter program failed, and the group says its spay-neuter fund ran dry in June and was carried by donations. Expect this to come up again.