Gravity Drainage District No. 4
Minutes of the Board of Commissioners of Gravity Drainage District No. 4 of Tangipa-
hoa Parish, Louisiana, held on Monday, April 27, 2026, at the regular meeting place,
Amite City Hall, Amite, Louisiana.
The Board of Commissioners of Gravity Drainage District No. 4 of Tangipahoa Parish,
Louisiana met on the above date in regular session and was called to order by the
President, Mrs. Lori B. Petitto, at 4:30 p.m. o’clock with the following members pres-
ent:
Present: Lori B. Petitto, Lafete Tucker, Kyle Warren, James C. Ricks
Absent: Lionel Sutton
The president called on Mr. Lafete Tucker to voice the invocation and the pledge.
The roll call showed a quorum to be present. Whereupon a motion was made by Mr.
Warren duly seconded by Mr. Ricks and unanimously carried that the reading of the
minutes of the last regular meeting, dated March 30, 2026, be dispensed with and that
they be adopted as of record and published in the official journal.
The secretary presented bills in the amount of $6022.32 for canal maintenance,
material, supplies, contract labor, printing, etc. Whereupon a motion was made by Mr.
Tucker duly seconded by Mr. Warren and unanimously carried that the payment of the
bills be authorized and approved.
The financial report on the general condition of the district was given, and a motion
was made by Mr. Ricks duly seconded by Mr. Warren and unanimously carried that
the report of the treasurer be approved and accepted.
Pending jobs and areas of concern that have been reported:
Canal/ditch at Amite Memorial Gardens cemetery
Canal at end of LaRock RoadPuleston Road
Peaceful Lane off Bickham Chapel Road in Velma
Muse Drive (Calvin Batiste)
Ditch in Fluker, Gwynette Dixon (Parish assistance in progress)
Bennett Road, Kathleen Tracie (Parish assistance requested)
On motion by Mr. Warren duly seconded by Mr. Tucker and unanimously carried, the
Louisiana Review/Attestation Questionnaire for tax year 2025 was adopted.
On motion by Mr. Ricks duly seconded by Mr. Warren and unanimously carried, the
lowest bid was accepted from Liuzza Trucking for the job on Highway 40 in Indepen-
dence behind Tiger Car Wash. Bidding breakdown as follows:
Williams One Stop $6200
P & P Land Services $2600
Liuzza Trucking $1950
On motion by Mr. Warren duly seconded by Mrs. Petitto and unanimously carried, the
following action was taken:
RESOLUTION
BE RESOLVED that the following millage(s) are hereby levied on the 2026
tax roll on all property subject to taxation by Gravity Drainage District No. 4:
MILLAGE
Construction and Maintenance (1070015): 3.00 mills
Construction and Maintenance (1070069): 2.00 mills
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the proper administrative officials of
the Parish of Tangipahoa, State of Louisiana, be and they are hereby empowered,
authorized, and directed to spread said taxes, as hereinabove set forth, upon the as-
sessment roll of said Parish for the year 2026, and to make the collection of the taxes
imposed for and on behalf of the taxing authority, according to law, and that the taxes
herein levied shall become a permanent lien and privilege on all property subject to
taxation as herein set forth, and collection thereof shall be enforceable in the manner
provided by law.
The foregoing resolution was read in full; the roll was called on the adop-
tion thereof, and the resolution was adopted by the following votes:
YEAS: Lori Petitto, Lafete Tucker, Kyle Warren, James C. Ricks
NAYS: None
ABSTAINED: None
ABSENT: Lionel Sutton
CERTIFICATE
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and exact copy of the resolution
adopted at the board meeting held on April 27, 2026, at which meeting a quorum was
present and voting.
Amite, Louisiana, this 27th day of April 2026.
Mary Lynn Thompson, Secretary
On motion by Mr. Ricks duly seconded by Mrs. Petitto and unanimously carried, the
secretary was instructed to pay a bill in the amount of $1658 to Thompson Alignment
Center for an accumulation of billing statements that had not been printed and mailed
out over a lengthy period of time. Owner, Mr. Omar Banos, apologized for the miscommunication
and assured the board that the account is now entered into their system correctly.
On motion by Mr. Ricks duly seconded by Mr. Tucker and unanimously carried, the
following action was taken:
Upon receiving several calls concerning work areas that have not been properly main-
tained over a prolonged period of time, the board agreed to hire Mr. Calvin Graham
to work and assist as a consultant to the current contract labor crew for a trial period
of approximately 3 months. Mr. Graham has worked with the district in the past and
knows all locations to maintain and how to properly maintain them. It has currently
been agreed that Mr. Graham will be hired at $16 per hour at 32 hours per week.
A special meeting will be held on Monday, May 4, 2026, with Mr. Graham and Mr.
Gordon in attendance. A special meeting is necessary to further discuss the trial period
hiring arrangements and guidelines of Calvin Graham to specify how he will assist the
contract labor crew. Continuation of Mr. Graham’s assistance will be determined after
the trial period. These details will be broken down at the special meeting as well as a
start date for Mr. Graham to begin working.
On motion by Mrs. Petitto duly seconded by Mr. Tucker and unanimously carried, the
following action was taken:
Public Notice
Public notice is hereby given that the regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners
of Gravity Drainage District No. 4, Parish of Tangipahoa, Louisiana, scheduled for
Monday, May 25, 2026, will be held on Monday, May 18, 2026, at the regular time,
4:30 p.m. at Amite City Hall, the regular meeting place of the drainage district. The
change is due to the Memorial Day holiday.
Given under authorization of the Board of Commissioners of Gravity Drainage District
No. 4, Parish of Tangipahoa, Louisiana and over my official signature and seal of
office, this 27th day of April 2026.
No further business appearing, on motion by Mrs. Petitto duly seconded by Mr. Warren
and unanimously carried, the board adjourned.
Lori B. Petitto, President
Attest:
Mary Lynn Thompson, Secretary
Cost of notice: $89.25