VIDALIA — Victor Dennis returned to Concordia Parish Monday night with legislative approval to seek a parish resident for service on the Human Service District Governing Board.

Dennis originally came before the Concordia Parish Police Jury in September touting moving the human services, including mental health, substance abuse, developmental disabilities and select health services, from state to local administration.

Department of Health and Hospitals Human Services Interagency Council Coordinator Yakima Black said an administrative switch would be in Concordia Parish’s favor.

“All the red tape that comes with the Department of Health and Hospitals will be gone,” Black said. “The board will be able to move things through quicker.”

Black said a state-funded human service district would be better able to make local decisions, as compared to a state administration. Black said the district would retain Medicaid over-collection funds, which they could distribute as they like.

Since each parish would have at least one board member, smaller rural parishes would gain a bigger voice, Black said.

Police jury President Melvin Ferrington said he had someone in mind for the position, but that he wanted to make sure this person accepted before announcing the name.

Dennis said he’d be happy to come down to answer questions for anyone willing to serve. To nominate someone, Dennis said to contact Ferrington or the police jury.

Dennis said once the board was filled, the next step was to hire an executive director.

In other news:

4 The jurors accepted a revised budget. Juror Randy Temple said the road and drainage funds would have to be closely monitored, as the funds are in danger of going over budget before December.

4Jurors accepted the resignations of Rose Mary Watkins and Brad Lipsey from the library board and appointed Bobby Shepherd and Betty Jo Braggs to fill the openings.