The Jennings City Council is continuing discussions about changes in the makeup of the Jeff Davis Parish Economic Development Commission.

“There is an ongoing discussion to amend the existing charter to add the Jeff Davis Parish Police Jury and the town of Lake Arthur to our Economic Development Commission,” Mayor Henry Guinn said. “This would remove the Tourism Commission and allow the police jury to appoint people to this governing board. This board would then utilize the landfill to cash flow its operations.”

Under the amendment, the police jury would gain the ability to appoint members to the governing board, which would utilize the landfill commission to fund its operations.

Guinn expressed his belief that the funding mechanism should come from the appropriate bodies in the agreement. He suggested that the landfill commission issue a dividend to the landfill’s owners, who are the same agencies in the agreement, allowing them to decide whether or not to fund the new commission based on its performance.

Parish Administrator Ben Boudreaux said the reorganization is a collaborative effort between the Tourism Commission, the City of Jennings, the Town of Welsh, the Town of Lake Arthur and that the police jury’s involvement signifies a commitment to the parish’s economic development.

“This is not a police jury commission,” Boudreaux said. “This is a Jeff Davis Parish commission. I think it’s important. It’s something that we want to improve and build upon. We are excited, as a police jury who has always been a contributor of this commission, to finally have some appointments on it, as well as the Town of Lake Arthur. “

The amended charter includes provisions for the police jury to pay an equal share to Jennings, demonstrating their commitment, he said. It also mandates that the commission hire someone dedicated to retail and describes the role of the chair and director. It also limits the chair’s term to three consecutive years.

Boudreaux stated that he does not foresee a change in the budget and that the City of Jennings will experience a slight cost savings due to the police jury’s equal contribution.

Former Jennings mayor Greg Marcantel said the commission was started in 2007 with three members: the City of Jennings, the Tourist Commission, and the Town of Welsh.

While the police jury and Lake Arthur have contributed financially to the commission, they have not had direct representation, Marcantel said. The amendment seeks to rectify this by giving them a voice through appointments, he said.

Under the amended charter, the four entities will appoint representatives to the commission, and no elected officials can serve.

Boudreaux said the goal is to present a final signed copy of the amended charter to the parochial board for approval on March 18. The Tourism Commission, Lake Arthur, and Welsh have already approved the amendment.