NATCHEZ — Concordia Parish could acquire a brand new public boat ramp on Lake Concordia.

Mark McElroy of Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries spoke at Monday’s Police Jury meeting about the possibility of allowing the state to build a new, state-of-the-art boat ramp free of charge for the parish to use at the location of the former District 4 Wildlife and Fisheries office.

The idea came up in discussions about what would happen to the boat ramp access with the closing of the Ferriday office, he said.

In return for the cost of building the ramp, the parish would hand over the seven acres surrounding it, McElroy said.

“(Wildlife and Fisheries) has monies to put toward boating ramp facilities,” McElroy said. “We don’t have crews to maintain (the ramp); that would be better handled by the parish,” he said.

McElroy said the state would likely be willing to allow the parish to use the land as its funding match instead of dollars and cents for the cost of building the ramp, which would be between approximately $200,000 and $250,000.

“It’s a pretty good deal,” McElroy said.

McElroy said in order for the Parish to maintain and operate the ramp built with state funds, Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries would enter a 20-or 30-year-memorandum of understanding with Concordia Parish.

The state would technically still own the ramp.

“But for all purposes it’s your ramp,” McElroy said.

McElroy asked for resolution at the jury’s next meeting in order for him to move forward with project.

Police Jury President Melvin Ferrington said the jury would vote on it at its next meeting and likely support it.

“That would be great for Concordia Parish,” Ferrington said.

Ferrignton said part of the seven acres would probably be used as a parking lot.

Houses located near the area in questions would not be included in the memorandum of understanding.

Also at Monday’s jury meeting:

4The board passed a motion to adopt a resolution of support for starting a consortium board.

Ferrington said parishes and municipalities that form a consortium board in conjunction with three other local government bodies are eligible to receive funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Four government bodies would split an annual cost of $500,000 to $700,000 for the board’s formation and existence, he said. Each government would appoint a representative who would receive the HUD funds for their respective parish or municipality.

4 The jury voted to accept a low bid of $259,000 to a company out of Kenner, La., to fix the courthouse roof. Remaining bids were for $331,000, $293,000 and $346,000.

4 The jury unanimously appointed Van Strebeck to the Black River Lake Commission.