Former Fire Chief Darwin Fife was honored by local and state officials during the November 6 meeting of the Tullos Town Council, with the council issuing an official proclamation naming the day, “Darwin Fife Day.”
Mayor Karla Cockerham spoke of Fife’s many years of dedicated service to the Town’s Department and both the Mayor and District Representative Gabe Firment presented Fife and his family with an official Proclamation during the meeting.
Darwin Fife was a member of the Tullos VFD for 22 years, 19 of those years as the Chief of the Department before his retirement.
“With his many years of service, the Town has benefitted from Chief Fife’s hard work and dedication,” Mayor Cockerham spoke. “It is our honor to recognize him with a Proclamation from the Town of Tullos, and to proclaim November 6 as Darwin Fife Day.”
Following the Council’s approval, Mayor Cockerham presented Fife and his family with the Proclamation.
District 22 Representative Gabe Firment also presented Fife with an Expression of Commendation from the State of Louisiana’s House of Representatives.
“It is most fitting to recognize Darwin Fife, to commend him for his service as Fire Chief,” Firment stated. “Therefore, I, Gabe Firment do hereby commend Darwin Fife for service as Fire Chief of Tullos, Louisiana and hereby extend sincerest wishes that he can continue to prosper in all of his endeavors, on behalf of the State of Louisiana House of Representatives.”
Fife celebrated the achievement with his family, the current Tullos Fire Chief and the Assistant Tullos Fire Chief.
The Council then received the results of the Town’s yearly audit report. CPA David Vercher was present at the meeting to provide the audit report findings. He reported that this year, the Town of Tullos received an unmodified opinion, which is the best that the Town can receive.
According to the General Fund, revenues totaled at $694,357.00, expenditures of $530,619.00 and transfers at $65,595.00. The fund ended the year with an operating surplus of $98,143.00 and a positive fund balance of $327,424.00.
For the Special Revenue Fire Fund, the fund ended the year with a negative operating surplus in the amount of $4,976, which was due to a one-time equipment purchase for the department.
According to the cash-flow statement for sewer and water, the Town of Tullos ended with a loss in sewer.
“The Town didn’t take in enough to cover all of the issues that you had,” Vercher stated. “Maybe all the improvements you all are doing and the rate increase will take care of that. But, that is one that we just can’t let continue to go down.”
Vercher also presented the audit findings. The only finding was the Noncompliance with Louisiana Department of Health, which the Town has had for three years. The Noncompliance has been issued for not meeting state requirements for water, exceeding the maximum contaminant level for Total Trihalomethanes and for other violations in the Sanitary Code.
“You are all aware of this, and until it is resolved, it will be here,” Vercher explained. “We know that you are all doing everything you can, and know the Town is working on it. I just have to report it until it is resolved.”
The Town did not receive any exceptions, as all required procedures and policies were found in place.
Aldermen Amanda Welch then updated the Council of an upcoming event, Steele Horse Ministry Toy Run, which she is a part of. The event will take place on December 2, so the community is encouraged to drop off toy donations at the Dollar General Store in Olla. Welch stated that most toys are geared more for the younger children, so donations for older kids are in higher need this year.
“Registration for the event starts at 8 a.m. at the Olla Pentecostal Church and kickstands go up at 9 a.m.,” Welch stated. “There is no cost to ride. Each rider will just need six toys per bike.”
During the event, riders will go through the town and hand out toys to children in the community.
The Council also approved of several department reports during the meeting.
According to Chief Harvey Boyett, the fire department responded to one house fire, one car fire, one grass fire and one trash pile on fire during the month of October. The department also assisted with a large wildfire at the Caldwell- LaSalle parish line, which burned 168 acres.
Chief Boyett also reported that with the money raised through various recent fundraisers, like the Downtown Olla Homecoming event booth and the “Fill the Boot” fundraiser, the department will be able to offer various drinks and snacks at the upcoming Tullos Christmas Festival in the Park.
During the Police Jury Report, Juror Tim Lasiter updated the Council that work is continuing to be done, but a few projects have been held up due to the lack of rain. Lasiter also reported that some much-needed work on a “sinkhole” in Tullos had been recently completed.
“I was in contact with Jay Collins this afternoon,” Lasiter explained. “The highway department has come out and has fixed the little sinkhole. It is much better now. I plan to contact them and tell them they have done a good job.”
According to the wastewater report, provided by Caleb Black with JCP Management, the amount of water pumped out for the month of October has decreased to 80,000 GPD since they have fixed the pressure regulator at the ground storage tank.
The Town’s engineer Jacob Guillory also provided a report, updating the newer Council members of the Town’s various projects, their current status and next steps to come.
For the wastewater treatment plant project, because the bids received during the summer were around $1-million over budget, Guillory and the Mayor are working together to find supplemental funding for the project.
As for the temporary bypass system at the leaking ground storage tank, the Town rented and had installed a “frac” tank. However, leaking from the town’s tank was found, so the valves will soon be replaced.
“Water is still getting into it, so JCP is scheduled to replace that valve as soon as the part comes in,” Guillory stated.
The next step is to have a contractor come in and repair the tank so that the Town will no longer have to pay to rent a frac tank.
“I will have him come look at it soon,” Guillory said. “He seemed to think based on photos and videos that we sent him that he can fix it. As soon as we can, I will have him come look at it in person and confirm whether or not he can repair it, as this would be a $50,000 project.”
The final project that Guillory reported on was repairs to the sewer collection system, which will be funded by the town and a CDBG Grant.
“That project has been advertised for bids and we will receive bids until December 4,” Guillory explained. “We will open and award a bid at the next Council meeting. That project is to fix the sewer system.”
Mayor Cockerham took this time to thank the Town for voting to pass a recent sales tax, as that money was used toward the project and secured the grant needed to assist in its funding.
“The $180,000 that the town is responsible for must be paid in installments, and we have paid the first installment,” Mayor Cockerham stated. “I want to thank our public for passing the sales tax, because that is what paid it and kept us from having to take out a loan.”
Chief Scott Cockerham provided the police report. For the month of October, the department issued 132 citations, made zero arrests, answered three calls, provided one public assist and collected $32,293.92 in fines and fees.
During the Mayor’s comments, Mayor Cockerham reminded the Council of upcoming December events, the Senior Citizen Christmas Party and Dinner on December 14 and the Christmas Festival in the Park on December 9.
Mayor Cockerham also thanked members of the Council who attended the Louisiana Fire Chief Hall of Fame Ceremony in Lafayette where Darwin Fife was recently recognized.
“Thank you for your time and dedication, especially during this time of year,” Mayor Cockerham stated. “Aldermen Floyd Temple, Tina Murphrey-Tullos and Amanda Welch made the drive to Lafayette to attend Darwin Fife’s induction into the Hall of Fame, and I thank you all for attending that event.”
