Tangipahoa Parish Fire Protection District No. 1
Board of Commissioners
Regular Meeting
February 12, 2026
5:00 p.m.
The Board of Commissioners of Tangipahoa Parish Fire Protection District No.
1 met this 12th day of February, 2026, in regular session. Those present were
Chairman E. Ray Glasgow, Vice-Chairman Robbie Lee, and Commissioner Jeff
McKneely, Fire Chief J. D. Stevens, Assistant Chief Jason King and Chief of Fire
Prevention C. J. Pardue were also in attendance. Also present was Attorney Henry
Olinde.
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The Chairman called the meeting to order and welcomed those representing the
Town of Amite City, including Mayor Walter Daniels, Mr. Mark Kolwe (City Manager,
Town of Amite City), and City Council members.
The Chairman then recognized Mr. Kolwe, who proceeded to make comments
relative to the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the Town of Amite City
and Tangipahoa Parish Fire Protection District No. 1, dated June 19, 2023, the
term of the agreement being for five years, commencing on July 1, 2023, and
expiring on June 30, 2028. The agreement provides for the allocation of funds from
Amite to the Fire District in the amount of $320,000 per year for the purpose of fire
protection. Mr. Kolwe made known that the town’s auditors at their exit conference
advised that the Town should take a look at the amount of the allocation compared
to the amount that the Town of Roseland provides to the Fire District, as the Town
will be needing funds for the sewer project in a few years. He made a comparison
on the basis of square miles and also on population for both Amite and Roseland
and asked that the Fire Board consider lowering the amount that the Town of Amite
is paying.
Mr. Kolwe also mentioned the Fire District’s rapid fund balance increase, wherein
Fire Chief Stevens made known that there are one time allocations to the Fire
District that have contributed greatly to the increase, such as funds received from
the Cares Act, funds received from the Sheriff’s Office under the former Sheriff for
the training center, and sales tax funds received from Solar Pilot.
Fire Board Commissioner Mr. McKneely responded that there are other ways to
compare Amite and Roseland, such as the number of service calls, as Roseland’s
number of service calls is only 8% of the total number of calls. He also added that
the amount of commercial property in Amite is much more than that of Roseland.
He explained that statistically there are many ways that a comparison can be
made, but that there is much more within the City of Amite than in Roseland even
though Roseland has more square miles.
After more discussion, the Chairman recognized Mr. Henry Olinde, Attorney
representing the Fire District, who stated that negotiation is the way to approach
the matter, but that funds have been appropriated for this fiscal year and the
Town is already two months behind in payments. Mr. Olinde also made known
that the Fire District’s ratings are based on the value of property because that is
what the fire department protects; further that everything is tied together, and if
funding is withheld, it could have an impact on fire ratings which in turn affects the
amount the taxpayer is paying for insurance. He stated that the money has been
appropriated, and it is not right to hold the funds hostage.
Mr. Kolwe made known that the City Council will be making a special request to
the Fire District concerning the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement and the dollar
amount that is in the agreement.
Mayor Daniels made known that they are waiting to see what can be worked out
with the fire department and that they are willing to go to court to settle the matter.
Mayor Daniels also expressed his concern that the allocation of funds from Amite
to the Fire District increased from 15% to 25% of the sales tax that Amite receives.
Chief Stevens made known that Amite does not contribute 15 or 25 percent, that
15% would be about $400,000; further that the allocation was capped at $320,000/
year, which is less than 15%, and that it has remained at that amount; also that the
sales tax proposition that was voted on included fire protection.
Mr. Kolwe responded that the sales tax proposition did not include a percentage.
Mr. Ray Cutrer added that there was a gentlemen’s agreement when the
proposition was placed on the ballot in 1981 that 25% of the sales tax collected
would be allocated to the fire department, 25% to the police department, and 50%
to the City and that was the way it was presented to the fire department when
asking for their help with passing the tax.
Mr. Olinde stated that he doesn’t know the history, but that there is a 2023
Cooperative Endeavor Agreement that sets the amount at $320,000.00 to be
allocated to the Fire District, and that is the agreement the City and Fire District
are operating on now.
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Discussion then took place on the appointment of commissioners to Tangipahoa
Parish Fire District No. 1 by the Town of Amite City.
Mr. Olinde made known that he understands the City has appointed two
commissioners to the Fire Board but that the law states that each municipality
within the Fire District gets one commissioner appointment; therefore Amite
appoints one and the Town of Roseland, which is now a part of the Fire District,
appoints one.
Mayor Daniels expressed his concern that he was not told about Roseland having
one appointment.
Chief Stevens made known that he tried to tell the Mayor before Amite’s council
meeting that Roseland now gets one appointment and that Amite gets one, but the
Mayor did not want to talk about it.
Mr. Olinde stated that it is the responsibility of the entity that makes the
appointment to make sure that their appointments comply with the law.
The matter was referred back to the Amite City Council for a decision to be made
on the appointment to the Board of Commissioners of Tangipahoa Parish Fire
District No. 1.
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The Chairman announced that the next item on the agenda is to approve the
minutes of the regular meeting dated January 8, 2026.
A motion was made by Mr. McKneely, seconded by Mr., Lee and carried that the
Board dispense with the reading of the minutes of the previous meeting dated
January 8, 2026, and accept them as prepared.
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Assistant Chief King made known to the Board that current bills are in the amount
of $48,906.44 plus $52,397.00 for SCBA’s that were lost in the Smitty’s fire and
covered by insurance.
Mr. McKneely made a motion to approve payment of current bills in the amount of
$48,906.44 plus $52,397.00 for the SCBA’s. Mr. Lee seconded the motion and it
so carried.
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After review of the financial statement, a motion was made by Mr. McKneely,
seconded by Mr. Lee and carried that the financial statement for the month of
January, 2026, be accepted.
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There being no further business to come before the Board, a motion was made by
Mr. Lee, seconded by Mr. McKneely and carried that the meeting be adjourned.
E. Ray Glasgow Agnes Prevost
Chairman Secretary-Treasurer