Attorney General questions parish government on identical council/fire board membership

EDITOR'S NOTE (October 28, 2025):

WBR Independent received official closure letters from the Louisiana Attorney General's office on October 28, 2025, following the corrective meetings reported in this story. The AG's office accepted voluntary corrective actions from the parish boards and closed all three Open Meetings Law complaints without pursuing penalties. While the corrective meetings occurred as reported, the official letters clarify that the parish boards scheduled these meetings in coordination with the AG's office rather than through a formal enforcement order. The violations documented in this story were confirmed by the boards holding corrective meetings to "cure deficiencies," and public comment procedures were restored to the process.

West Baton Rouge Parish — The Louisiana Attorney General's Office directed parish officials to re-notice and revote the Aug. 28 West Baton Rouge Fire Protection District No. 1 Board of Commissioners actions after determining the board failed to allow public comment as required. In a written email to WBR Independent, Deputy Director David Jeddie Smith Jr. said redoing the meeting "should resolve the deficiencies" from the Aug. 28, 2025, meeting.

The violation follows a pattern of council actions that skip public input on significant decisions. In October 2025, the parish council unanimously approved public records fees four times the state standard in a two-minute vote without discussion, prompting one business owner to question whether decisions were being made before meetings even occurred. The Oct. 9, 2025, council meeting transcript reflects no item-specific public comment before the vote on public records fees (Resolution 13.B).

The intervention represents a significant accountability moment for the parish government. The fire department has operated under leadership contracted through Browning Associates LLC rather than through proper civil service appointment for over three years.

Additionally, sources indicate the attorney general's office has raised questions with parish government about why the fire board has identical membership to the West Baton Rouge Parish Council — a governance structure that may create conflicts of interest and accountability concerns. The attorney general's office did not immediately respond to questions about board composition.

Attorney General Intervention

Following a complaint filed by WBR Independent, the attorney general's investigation found that the fire board failed to provide a public comment period before voting on the Browning Associates LLC contract - a violation of Louisiana Revised Statutes 42:14 (D), which requires public bodies to allow citizens an opportunity to address the board on agenda items.

In an email to WBR Independent, David Jeddie Smith Jr., deputy director in the attorney general's Civil Division, wrote:

"We reached out to the Parish about the WBR Parish FPD 1, board of commissioners meeting on August 28. They are going to redo the meeting and have posted notice on the WBR website ... This should resolve the deficiencies complained of from the August 28, 2025 meeting."

Louisiana's Open Meetings Law (La. R.S. 42:11–28) exists to ensure transparency in government operations and provide citizens meaningful opportunities to participate in decisions affecting their communities. The law requires that:

• Meetings be open to the public
• Adequate notice be provided
• Citizens have opportunity for public comment on agenda items
• Actions taken in violation are voidable and may be cured by properly noticed revote (La. R.S. 42:24)

The requirement for public comment is particularly important when boards make significant decisions affecting public services — such as contracting fire department leadership to a private company rather than appointing a chief through civil service procedures.

Questions About Board Composition

In addition to the Open Meetings Law violation, sources indicate the Attorney General's office questioned parish government about the fire board's composition.

The West Baton Rouge Fire Protection District Board currently has the same members as the Parish Council:

• District I: Kirk Allain
• District II: Daryl "Turf" Babin
• District III: Atley Walker Jr.
• District IV: Brady Hotard
• District V: Kenneth Gordon
• District VI (Chairman): Carey Denstel
• District VII (Vice Chairman): Alan Crowe
• District VIII: Katherine Andre
• District IX: Gary "Shaq" Joseph

This identical membership raises governance questions. When the same officials serve on both the parish council and the fire board, potential conflicts emerge:

Budget Oversight: The parish council approves funding that flows to the fire district, creating a situation where council members effectively oversee themselves.

Contract Approval: Council members serving on the fire board approve contracts, then may vote on related parish funding as council members.

Accountability: When problems arise, who holds the fire board accountable if its members are the same officials responsible for parish oversight?

Independence: Fire districts traditionally operate with independent boards to ensure specialized focus on fire protection and emergency services, separate from broader parish governance concerns.

The Attorney General's questions about this structure suggest potential concerns about whether identical membership complies with governance requirements for independent fire districts.

Pattern of Governance Concerns

As WBR Independent has previously reported, the parish fire department has operated under leadership contracted to Browning Associates LLC for over three years, despite clear state guidance requiring legal compliance with civil service laws for fire chief appointments.

The company is owned by H. Butch Browning, who serves as Fire Superintendent for the parish. This arrangement has raised questions about accountability, as a private LLC operates differently than an individual civil service appointee would.

The Open Meetings Law violation adds another layer to concerns about how the fire board has managed this unconventional leadership structure. When public bodies circumvent established procedures while also failing to follow transparency requirements, it creates compounded accountability problems.

What Happens Next

Under La. R.S. 42:24, actions taken at a meeting held in violation of the Open Meetings Law are voidable; a properly noticed meeting with public comment is the standard cure.

The attorney general's direction requires the fire board to:

1. Properly notice a new meeting
2. Place the Browning Associates LLC contract on the agenda
3. Allow public comment before voting
4. Conduct a new vote on the contract

The revote is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at 5 p.m. at the Government Building, 880 N. Alexander Ave., Port Allen.

The meeting agenda lists three resolutions related to the fire chief position:

• Resolution on Personnel Policies - Relating to approval of personnel policies for District No. 1
• Ratification of Previous Resolution - Regarding changing the Fire Chief Position to Part Time (previously approved Aug. 28, 2025)
• Updated Consultant Agreement - Authorizing Parish President to sign updated agreement with Browning Associates LLC (previously approved Aug. 28, 2025)

Notably, the agenda shows the fire board had already approved changes to the fire chief position and the Browning Associates contract on Aug. 28, 2025 — without allowing public comment. The attorney general's intervention now requires proper public participation before these decisions can stand.

The revote provides citizens their first opportunity to formally address the fire board about the contract arrangement before an official vote — the participation that should have occurred during the original process.

Officials Previously Acknowledged Public Comment Requirement

When questioned about Open Meetings Law compliance in October regarding a separate matter, council members who also serve as fire board commissioners stated they understood the public comment requirement.

Councilman Brady Hotard told WBR Independent "the public can speak before votes on resolutions" and stated his understanding that Louisiana's Open Meetings Law requires "the public must be given that opportunity before any vote."

Council Chairman Carey Denstel agreed with Hotard's assessment.

However, the Aug. 28 fire board meeting—where the same officials served as commissioners—proceeded directly from staff presentations to motions and votes on the fire chief position and Browning Associates LLC contract without any public comment period, general or item-specific.

The attorney general's office later determined this violated La. R.S. 42:14(D) and directed the parish to redo the meeting with proper public comment procedures.

The forced revote and AG's questions about board composition raise several important issues for taxpayers:

Transparency: If council members understand that "the public must be given that opportunity before any vote," why did the same officials fail to allow public comment at the Aug. 28 fire board meeting?

Consistency: How can the same individuals acknowledge Open Meetings Law requirements in one meeting while violating them in another?

Board Structure: Why does the fire board have identical membership to the parish council? Does this structure comply with requirements for independent fire districts?

Conflicts of Interest: How does identical membership affect oversight and accountability when the same officials approve both fire district contracts and parish funding?

Pattern: Does the Open Meetings violation represent isolated oversight or part of a broader pattern of circumventing standard procedures?

Leadership Structure: Should the revote prompt reconsideration of the overall leadership arrangement, given ongoing questions about the civil service issue?

AG Inquiry: What specific concerns did the Attorney General raise about board composition, and how will parish government respond?

Civil Service Context

The fire chief position traditionally falls under civil service protections, which provide:

• Competitive hiring processes
• Merit-based advancement
• Clear accountability structures
• Protection from political interference
• Established disciplinary procedures

Contracting leadership duties to a private LLC rather than appointing a civil service chief creates different accountability relationships. A private company operates under contract terms rather than civil service rules, raising questions about how taxpayers hold leadership accountable when issues arise.

The Attorney General's intervention on the Open Meetings violation doesn't address the civil service question directly, but it does highlight the importance of following established legal procedures in public governance.

Community Impact

The revote gives West Baton Rouge residents an opportunity to:

• Learn more about the contract terms
• Understand the leadership structure
• Ask questions about accountability
• Express concerns or support
• Participate in governance as Louisiana law requires

Meeting Details:

• When: Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at 5 p.m.
• Where: Government Building, 880 N. Alexander Ave., Port Allen
• Public Comment: Required by law before any vote

For residents concerned about fire department operations, emergency response coordination, or how their tax dollars fund public safety services, the public comment period before the revote represents a chance to engage with decision-makers.

Citizens can find meeting information, minutes, and videos at WBRPARISH.ORG under the Agenda and Minutes tab.

West Baton Rouge Parish Government was asked whether identical fire board/council membership is required by ordinance; a response was not received by press time.

Timeline and Next Steps

Timeline:

Aug. 28, 2025: Fire board approves changing fire chief position to part-time and authorizes updated Browning Associates LLC contract — without allowing public comment

October 2025: Attorney general's office investigates and determines Open Meetings Law violation occurred

Oct. 23, 2025, at 5 p.m.: Fire board must hold properly noticed meeting with public comment period and conduct new vote

Citizens wishing to participate should:

• Arrive by 5 p.m. at Government Building, 880 N. Alexander Ave., Port Allen
• Prepare comments or questions about the fire chief contract and leadership structure
• Review meeting materials available at WBRPARISH.ORG
• Attend the meeting to exercise their right to public comment

Broader Implications

The Attorney General's intervention serves as a reminder that Louisiana's Open Meetings Law exists to protect citizen participation in government. When public bodies fail to follow transparency requirements, state oversight mechanisms can compel compliance.

The AG's questions about board composition add another dimension to the scrutiny. If the fire board's identical membership to the parish council raises governance concerns at the state level, it may prompt broader examination of how fire district oversight is structured in West Baton Rouge Parish.

For West Baton Rouge Parish, the forced revote represents an opportunity to demonstrate improved commitment to transparency and legal compliance in fire department governance. The questions about board composition may require parish officials to explain or potentially reconsider the governance structure itself.

Background on Browning Associates Arrangement

WBR Independent has previously reported on the unconventional leadership structure, including:

• Fire department operating under contracted leadership rather than civil service appointment for 3+ years
• State guidance indicating civil service requirements for fire chief positions
• Questions about accountability differences between private company contracts and civil service appointments
• Documented Open Meetings Law violations in fire board proceedings

The Attorney General's order addresses the transparency violation but doesn't resolve underlying questions about the leadership structure itself.

Stay Updated: This is a developing story. WBR Independent will provide comprehensive coverage of the revote meeting, including public comments and board discussion.

Meeting Information:

• When: Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at 5 p.m.
• Where: Government Building, 880 N. Alexander Ave., Port Allen
• Your Rights: Citizens have the right to attend and participate. Board members cannot limit the number of people speaking, only the duration of individual comments.

Stay Updated: This is a developing story. WBR Independent will provide comprehensive coverage of the revote meeting, including public comments and board discussion.

Previous Coverage: For background on fire department leadership concerns, see WBR Independent's previous reporting on civil service issues and governance questions.