Jury to look at subdivision roads

Published 12:00 am Saturday, August 19, 2006

NATCHEZ &8212; Concordia Parish Police Jury discussed a proposed ordinance requiring subdivision roads to be paved.

The ordinance discussed in a public hearing will have a second hearing at their next meeting.

Under this amendment, Parish Planner Oliver Schulz said at the meeting Monday, if a road is not hard-surfaced, it cannot be adopted as a parish road. And the police jury has no right or obligation to maintain non-parish roads. For example, if part of a non-parish road washes away, the parish cannot fix it.

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A developer in the audience voiced concerns that expensive paving projects could discourage development.

The police jury voted to hold a second public hearing the next time they meet, July 10, so they could get more opinions from the public.

The meeting also covered the parish&8217;s annual audit results. There were no negative numbers in any fund balances, and it did not owe more than it gained.

Judge Kathy Johnson asked the police jury to consider funding a bond officer to help enforce bond restrictions she sets, like curfews and drug treatment.

At present time, no one specifically checks up on those she releases on bond, Johnson said.

&8220;I don&8217;t have anybody responsible to me,&8221; Johnson said.

A bond officer would check criminal histories, as well as make sure those released were obeying restrictions, Johnson said.

She suggested those who wanted their bond lowered in return for restrictions should pay a small fee that would help alleviate the cost of a bond officer.

The parish would save money in the long run, Johnson said. By getting people out of jail, the parish would have to pay for fewer inmates&8217; necessities.

The police jury said it would discuss the issue next week in a finance committee meeting.