By Mollie Beth Wallace

VIDALIA — Residents in District 2 of Concordia Parish were not satisfied with health inspector Patrick Johnson’s inspection of Concordia Park, Juror Willie Dunbar said.

However, the residents of Concordia Park did not attend the police jury meeting Monday night, despite promises to Dunbar.

“I can’t do anything but pass on the information if they don’t show up,” Dunbar said.

Johnson is the health inspector for Concordia Parish who the jury asked to inspect a property in Concordia Park that has no electricity or water, but which is inhabited.

Also on the jury’s agenda was a public hearing concerning the $50 parcel fee for the Monterey Fire Protection District.

Jim Graves of Monterey said the district would use the money for maintenance for the fire department’s equipment.

The jury also approved the payment of $5,132.02 to Kisatchie Delta Regional Planning & Development District Inc. However, juror Joe Parker opposed the motion.

The jury also discussed purchase orders, and juror Jimmy Jernigan questioned the amount owed for autopsies.

Jernigan said he worries that taxpayer money pays for autopsies that aren’t necessary.

President Melvin Ferrington said he agreed with Jernigan, stating that autopsies should not be performed on individuals who died of natural causes.

District Attorney Brad Burget said the decision to perform an autopsy ultimately lies with the coroner, who is obligated by state law to perform autopsies in certain situations.

Ferrington said the deceased’s family should assume the burden of paying for an autopsy, except in the case of homicide.

The jury met in executive session for 18 minutes to discuss legal strategy and personnel with Burget.

In other news from the meeting:

• The jury approved all 12 alcohol permits.

• The jury approved occupational licenses for Austin’s Auto Salvage and Fashions.

• The jury voted to hold a public hearing before rolling millage rates forward. The hearing is scheduled for Aug. 13.

• The jury voted to turn the adoption of the revised budget over to the finance committee, which will meet June 25.