November Minutes 2025
November 20, 2025
Board and Staff Member Attendance:
Present:
William Bisland – Chair
Margie Scoby – Vice Chair
Celeste Landry – Secretary/Treasurer
Judy Smart
Cheri Blanchard
Renee Murphy
Joshua Ellender
Staff:
Sondra Corbitt
Avril Duplantis
Board Absent:
Angela Portier
Bionca Carr
Meeting call to order: W. Bisland called the meeting to order at 8:36 a.m.
Roll Call: Quorum was present.
Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance: C. Blanchard led the board in the Invocation, and C. Landry led the board in the Pledge.
Public to be Heard: There was no public to be heard
Approval of October 2025 minutes: R. Murphy opened discussion regarding change of bylaws and requested that it be added to December’s agenda. C. Blanchard moved to approve the October 2025 minutes. Seconded by: C. Landry. Against: R. Muprhy. Motion passed.
Approval of September 2025 Financials: The financial statements, including the budget to actual comparison for the general fund, for the month September 2025 Financials were presented by S. Corbitt. J. Smart moved to approve the September 2025 Financials. Second by: C. Blanchard. Motion passed. Margie Scoby entered meeting at 8:47a.m. via telephone.
2026 Proposed Budget Message Approval: S. Corbitt provided an overview of the 2026 budget message. Wade Elliot entered meeting at 8:53 a.m. J. Smart moved to amend agenda to allow Wade Elliot to be heard. Seconded by: R. Muprhy. Motion passed.
Public to be Heard: Wade Elliot Evergreen Jr. High
J. Smart motioned to go back to regular agenda. Seconded by C. Landry. Motion passed.
J. Smart moved to approve the 2026 Budget Message. Seconded by: C. Landry. Motion passed.
2026 Proposed Budget Approval: S. Corbitt provided an overview of the 2026 budget. C. Blanchard moved to approve the 2026 proposed budget. Seconded by: R. Murphy. Motion passed.
Sponsorship Application: 2026 Cast Iron Cookoff: R. Muprhy moved to table application until December when applicant will attend. Seconded by: J. Smart. Motion passed.
Product Development Application: Evergreen Jr. High School: C. Blanchard made a motion to approve the product development grant for $7,500. Seconded by: J. Smart. Motion passed.
Executive Committee Nominations: C. Landry nominated R. Murphy as Secretary/Treasurer for 2026. Seconded by: J. Smart.
2026 Board of Directors meeting Schedule Approval: S. Corbitt presented the 2026 Board of Directors Meeting Schedule. J. Smart moved to approve the 2026 meeting scheduled. Seconded by: C. Landry. Motion passed.
President/CEO’s Report: State Hotel/Motel updates, FEMA Updates, LAMP, Geocaching Event, Speaking Engagement, ACH Payment Transition, Sondra’s schedule, American Indian Tourism Association, Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau Committee, Board Meeting Reminder, and Staff updates.
Board Announcements: R. Muphy December 6 Regional Military Museum to host Pearl Harbor event, C. Landry Residence hosting Victorian Christmas dinner and Mardi Gras Murder Mystery.
Adjournment: J. Smart moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by: R. Murphy. Meeting was adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
