The Pointe Coupee Fire Districts Board of Commissioners met in regular session at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, December 8, 2025, at the Parish Council Training Room in New Roads, Louisiana.
President Martin Frey called the meeting to order and directed Secretary Mellisa Smith to call the roll:
PRESENT:
OTHERS Messrs. Robert Allen, Martin Frey,
and Charles Landry.
PRESENT: Messrs. Henry Olinde, Jeremy Waldrop,
Phil Larimore, Paul Pinsonat, Pedro Leonard,
Evan Doucet, Richard Manske, Nicolas Serio,
Stephen Dabadie, Michael Parks, and
Mrs. Mellisa Smith.
ABSENT: Messrs. Larry Harlaux and Nicholas Victorian.
PUBLIC HEARINGS – 2025 BUDGET AMENDMENTS AND 2026 PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE POINTE COUPEE PARISH FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICTS NO. 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5, AND THEREAFTER, DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF THE ADOPTION
A Public Hearing to obtain public input to the 2025 budget amendments and 2026 proposed budgets for Pointe Coupee Parish Fire Protection Districts No. 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5. Chairman Frey asked each fire chief or a representative to present any budget amendments and a proposed budget. Thereafter, the Fire Chiefs had no further comments or changes to their proposed budgets. There were no objections received orally or written to the 2025 budget amendments and 2026 proposed budgets.
Motion by Mr. Allen and seconded by Mr. Landry:
Public Hearing adjourned at 6:05 p.m.
APPROVE MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 3, 2025 MEETING
Motion by Mr. Allen and seconded by Mr. Landry:
RESOLVED, That the minutes of November 3, 2025, regular meeting of the Fire Districts Board of Commissioners be adopted as presented and be published.
Unanimously carried.
CONSIDER AMENDMENTS TO THE AGENDA
There were no amendments to the agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
DISCUSSION & CONSIDERATON OF ADOPTING THE 2025 BUDGET AMENDMENTS AND 2026 PROPOSED BUDGETS FOR THE POINTE COUPEE PARISH FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICTS NO. 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5
A hearing to obtain public input to the 2025 budget amendments and 2026 proposed budget for
Pointe Coupee Parish Fire Protection District No. 1 was conducted at 6:02 p.m., Monday, December 8, 2025, at the Parish Council Training Room, Courthouse Annex, 160 East Main Street, New Roads, Louisiana.
There were no objections received orally or written to the 2025 budget amendments and 2026 proposed budget.
Motion by Mr. Allen and seconded by Mr. Landry:
RESOLVED, That the 2025 budget amendments and 2026 proposed budget for Pointe Coupee Parish Fire Protection District No. 1 be adopted by the Pointe Coupee Fire Districts Board of Commissioners.
Unanimously carried.
A hearing to obtain public input to the 2025 budget amendments and 2026 proposed budget for
Pointe Coupee Parish Fire Protection District No. 2 was conducted at 6:04 p.m., Monday, December 8, 2025, at the Parish Council Training Room, Courthouse Annex, 160 East Main Street, New Roads, Louisiana.
There were no objections received orally or written to the 2025 budget amendments and 2026 proposed budget.
Motion by Mr. Landry and seconded by Mr. Allen:
RESOLVED, That the 2025 budget amendments and 2026 proposed budget for Pointe Coupee Parish Fire Protection District No. 2 be adopted by the Pointe Coupee Fire Districts Board of Commissioners.
Unanimously carried.
A hearing to obtain public input to the 2025 budget amendments and 2026 proposed budget for
Pointe Coupee Parish Fire Protection District No. 3 was conducted at 6:06 p.m., Monday, December 8, 2025, at the Parish Council Training Room, Courthouse Annex, 160 East Main Street, New Roads, Louisiana.
There were no objections received orally or written to the 2025 budget amendments and 2026 proposed budget.
Motion by Mr. Allen and seconded by Mr. Landry:
RESOLVED, That the 2025 budget amendments and 2026 proposed budget for Pointe Coupee Parish Fire Protection District No. 3 be adopted by the Pointe Coupee Fire Districts Board of Commissioners.
Unanimously carried.
A hearing to obtain public input to the 2025 budget amendments and 2026 proposed budget for
Pointe Coupee Parish Fire Protection District No. 4 was conducted at 6:08 p.m., Monday, December 8, 2025, at the Parish Council Training Room, Courthouse Annex, 160 East Main Street, New Roads, Louisiana.
There were no objections received orally or written to the 2025 budget amendments and 2026 proposed budget. Chief Pinsonat requested an amendment to the 2025 budget. Specifically, he asked for a transfer of $170,000 from the Consolidated Cash account to the Building Fund to cover construction materials and labor costs associated with building the new fire station.
Motion by Mr. Landry and seconded by Mr. Allen:
RESOLVED, That the 2025 budget for Pointe Coupee Parish Fire Protection District No. 4 be amended to include a transfer of $170,000 from the Consolidated Cash account to the Building Fund to cover cost associated with the construction of the new fire station and be it
RESOLVED further, That the 2026 proposed budget for Pointe Coupee Parish Fire Protection District No. 4 be adopted by the Pointe Coupee Fire Districts Board of Commissioners.
Unanimously carried.
A hearing to obtain public input to the 2025 budget amendments and 2026 proposed budget for
Pointe Coupee Parish Fire Protection District No. 5 was conducted at 6:19 p.m., Monday, December 8, 2025, at the Parish Council Training Room, Courthouse Annex, 160 East Main Street, New Roads, Louisiana.
There were no objections received orally or written to the 2025 budget amendments and 2026 proposed budget.
Motion by Mr. Landry and seconded by Mr. Allen:
RESOLVED, That the 2025 budget amendments and 2026 proposed budget for Pointe Coupee Parish Fire Protection District No. 5 be adopted by the Pointe Coupee Fire Districts Board of Commissioners.
Unanimously carried.
DISCUSSION – ESTABLISHING SINGLE AUDITOR & SINGLE ACCOUNTING COMPANY FOR POINTE COUPEE FIRE DISTRICTS
President Frey suggested that fire chiefs consider using one firm for auditing and accounting across all fire districts. After some discussion, Attorney Henry Olinde was asked to draft a letter and forward to the existing accounting firm and auditors for their feedback.
BUDGET & FIRE CHIEF’S REPORTS FIRE DISTRICTS NO. 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5
Fire Chief Jeremy Waldrop of Fire District No. 1 issued a financial report and reported on various calls the department received. He reported a budget cut of about $250,000 and projected reserves of $130,000 by the end of 2025.
Fire Chief Waldrop of Fire District No. 2 issued a financial report, reported on various calls the department received and projected reserves of $280,00 by the end of 2025. He also indicated that he is currently addressing misinformation published by The Banner, which claimed that property owners would experience an annual increase of approximately $300 if the tax is approved on the April 2026 ballot. He clarified that the actual estimated increase should be around $140 annually, and he is attempting to contact The Banner to request a retraction.
Fire Chief Phil Larimore of Fire District No. 3 issued a financial report and reported on various calls the department received. He also advised that one of the district’s units was involved in a traffic accident while responding to a call.
Fire Chief Paul Pinsonat with Fire District No. 4 issued a financial report and reported on various calls the department received. He also reported that the district received a free vehicle and that there one unit was involved in an accident and is being repaired.
Fire Chief Pedro Leonard with Fire District No. 5 issued a financial report and reported on various calls the department received. He also reported that he met with the Parish Council about the Fire Bureau, two trucks are out of service and will be repaired with one possibly being replaced.
Motion by Mr. Allen seconded by Mr. Landry:
RESOLVED, That the Budget and Fire Chief’s Reports be accepted as presented.
Unanimously carried.
OPEN DISCUSSION
Attorney Henry Olinde advised that he submitted a letter to the Parish Council requesting an amendment to the ordinance that requires new construction projects to coordinate with fire districts for the installation of adequate fire protection.
Attorney Olinde mentioned that he is collaborating with Attorney Michael Parks to create a policy concerning fire hydrant maintenance for both the fire and water districts. Mr. Parks plans to forward a cooperative endeavor agreement to Mr. Olinde for him to review.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Mr. Landry and seconded by Mr. Allen, the meeting adjourned at 6:41 p.m.
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Martin Frey, Chairman
