First official observance of 1887 racial atrocity will include memorial mass celebrated by bishop
November 22, 2017
Bruce makes it official, signs with UNO
November 22, 2017
Voters in the Bayou Black-Gibson area voted to renew their 15-mill recreation tax Saturday, the second such renewal to be approved since Terrebonne Parish’s 11 recreation districts began to draw sharp public scrutiny earlier this year.
In Lafourche Parish voters approved a 5.4 mill renewal for infrastructure improvement, which also helps fund libraries and health services including those provided to seniors. A gravity drainage district tax passed as did a separate renewal for roads and bridges throughout most of the parish.
The Terrebonne Parish Recreation District 9 millage was approved by 264 voters and rejected by 205, or 54 to 44 percent, with an 11.5 percent turnout.
Each of Terrebonne’s eleven recreation districts levies its own millage, with renewals brought before voters at 10-year spans.
Controversy erupted during the summer when the operations of Rec District 11 and District 2-3 in Houma were criticized by parish officials and members of the public who use their services. All recreation districts are taxing entities established under state statutes for the purpose of constructing and maintaining fields, parks gyms and other leisure venues. Their volunteer board members are appointed by the parish council.
The council recently approved an ordinance giving it oversight of all recreation districts.
A broadly-purposed 5.41 mill renewal passed in Lafourche will help pay for drainage, libraries and health programs. A total of 2,681 voters approved while 2,102 rejected the renewal, or 56 percent to 44 percent.
A 5-mil tax for road and bridge improvements in Lafourche that lie outside its municipalities passed 2,046 to 1,549, or 57 percent to 43 percent.
The 5th Ward Gravity Drainage District of Lafourche was approved for renewal of a 4.62 mil tax, which passed 158 to 100, or 59 percent to 41 percent.
