Due to rising fuel costs, the Webster Parish Police Jury road crew will begin a four, 10-hour day workweek schedule.

Jurors voted unanimously to adopt the new schedule, which will begin June 9, during Tuesday’s regular monthly meeting.
Police Jury President Charlie Walker said the new schedule will allow employees to still work 40 hours a week, but hopefully will save on travel time.

“We think this is the best thing to do right now,” said Walker. “If we keep going, we’re going to run out of funds for materials and fuel.”

Road crew employees will work Monday through Thursday and be on call on Fridays. An employee will remain in  the Public Works office on Fridays to answer calls.

The new schedule is on a trial basis and will be reevaluated in 60 days. If the new schedule accomplishes its goals, it is unclear how long the jury will continue with the four-day workweek.

“We probably couldn’t continue this schedule during the winter months because of short days,” said Walker.

This year, the jury budgeted $205,000 for fuel costs.

“We have 106,513 gallons left,” said Teddy Holloway, public works director. “We’ve used half.”

This time of year, the parish kicks off its black topping season.

“We spend more in the summertime,” said Holloway. “We work on priority roads up through September, but we don’t burn so much fuel in October and November.”

Holloway said if the parish runs low on fuel, it’s going to be towards the end of this year.

“We may not be able to do everything we want to do, but we can do what we need to do to maintain that level of support for our people out there,” said Walker.

Other items addressed during the meeting included:

No persons were present to comment during a public hearing held to address the possible abandonment or closure of Gravel Pit Road. During the following public meeting, jurors voted unanimously to close the road.

Jurors voted unanimously to approve and support a drawdown of Lake Bistineau, conducted by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, which is set to begin on or about July 15 and end no later than January 30. The drawdown is being conducted in effort to control the Giant Salvinia and other fast growing vegetation that is currently threatening the lake.

Jurors voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Mary Butler from the Webster Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau and appoint the Rev. Ben Martin to fill Butler’s unexpired term.

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