Message from the Administrator
With 2023 behind us and 2024 just beginning, I look forward to great things from the DeSoto Parish Police Jury and for the constituents of DeSoto Parish. 2023 ended with several road projects getting completed and nearing completion, new inventory scale construction at the Road Department, new construction beginning at the Mundy Landfill, $1.6 million dollars in funding from the states capital outlay program dedicated to roads and the completion of a new boat ramp at Garrett Park in partnership with the Sabine River Authority and the Town of Logansport, among other smaller no less important projects.
For 2024 the DeSoto Parish Police Jury has approved in their general fund budget new projects. Those projects include some upgrades to the Courthouse Annex, improvements to the splash pad at Alumni Park, improvements to the David Means 4-H Building, upgrades to HOOPLA Park, upgrades coming to our website and some upgrades to the sewer system in the KCS Community in partnership with the City of Mansfield.
The 2024 road projects include upgrades and repair work for Martinez and Delton Roads, improvements to Wallace Lake Road, Cook Creek Road, Bethlehem Road, First Street, Brown Road, Metcalf Road, upgrades to the I-49 N. Industrial Park – West Loop, some know this as Parks Road, and a few other road projects approved in the 2024 budget.
The 2024 solid waste budget includes capital expenditures for the construction of a new cell at Mundy Landfill. This cell will be 50% larger than any other cell constructed at the landfill and be able to supply the parish with at least 5 more years of viability. Future expansions at Mundy Landfill include construction of a new Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Facility that will refine landfill gas to pipeline grade natural gas through a sophisticated cleaning process. In partnership with BioMethane Partners, sales of the renewable gas will result in revenue for DeSoto Parish as well as improved air quality, reduced odors, and climate change mitigation.
We saw the end of an era with several jurors leaving office. Mr. B.D. Mitchell served District 1-B for over 32 years. His successor is Mr. Bubba Clark. Bubba hails from Logansport, LA where he has established himself as an insurance agent for the State Farm Insurance Company. Mr. Reggie Roe served District 5 for over 20 years. His successor is Mr. Nick Rains of Frierson, LA. Nick was born and raised in Frierson, LA where he established himself as an electrician and contractor. Lastly, Mr. Kyle Kennington served District 2 for over three and half years. His successor is Mr. Robby Latham. Robby is a native of Mansfield, LA who now resides in Stonewall, LA where he has established himself as a well-known State Farm Insurance agent. On behalf of the employees of the DeSoto Parish Police Jury and all the current jury members, I wish to thank Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Roe and Mr. Kennington for serving this parish with honor and distinction. You will be missed. For the new jurors coming on board, Mr. Clark, Mr. Rains and Mr. Latham, welcome aboard. The DeSoto Parish Police Jury employees and I look forward to working both for you and with you.
I would like the good citizens of DeSoto Parish to know that the DeSoto Parish Police Jury is moving forward with improvements to this parish. It is important for you to know that those words that line the wall at the DeSoto Parish Police Jury office: Trust, Honesty, Integrity, are the values for which I try to steward this organization. Thank you all for your patience and for all your faith in me and this organization.
Michael Norton
Parish Administrator
DeSoto Parish Police Jury