JENNINGS — The Jeff Davis Parish Courthouse is in need of some repairs.

Members of the Police Jury’s Courthouse Committee learned Wednesday that the courthouse needs a new roof because of moisture and mold problems caused by a leaky roof.

“We need to replace the roof because we have had problems with leaking on the edges caused by some of the aggregate rocks being moved and poor drainage,” Police Jury President Steve Eastman said.

Leaks have been reported in the assessor’s and clerk of court’s offices on the first floor of the three-story building. Mold has also been reported in a storage area.

Committee members directed parish engineer Alex Guillory to develop a bid package for the project to include plans, specifications and insurance requirements. The project will be advertised in accordance with the state’s public bid law.

Police jurors want to install a 30-year roof with a slope to replace the mostly flat roof currently on the courthouse, Eastman said.

“The new roof will have a slope to better drain the water and allow water to not pond during heavy rains,” he said, stressing that better drainage is needed to prevent future problems.

“We feel a new roof will also give the building a better look and it will be better overall for the inside if we don’t have leaks.”

The exact costs and scope of replacing the entire roof is not currently known as the project is still in the planning stages.

Police jurors are hoping to “piggy back” a project to install a new roof of the Police Jury Annex building located adjacent to the courthouse.

The projects will be paid with revenues from the Courthouse Maintenance fund.