Lafourche tax renewals set for off-election ballot

Alongside a proposed new sales tax that would fund a new parish jail, one parishwide and one district-specific property-tax renewal will face Lafourche Parish voters May 3.

Taxpayers will pay an estimated $100,000 to open polling stations that day, a typical price for parishwide canvasing that fluctuates slightly based on the number of commissioners needed to work precincts, according to Deputy Registrar Jackie Aucoin. The cost will be split between the Lafourche Parish Law Enforcement District, which is championing the sales tax, and Lafourche Parish Government, Sheriff Craig Webre said.

The proposed tax renewals are for Special Service District No. 1 and Fire Protection District No. 7.

Lafourche’s special service district collects money for use constructing, acquiring, improving and maintaining streetlights and to pay for other costs associated with abating pubic nuisances, like abandoned properties and condemned buildings. At least 60 percent of the annual proceeds must be budgeted for public lighting, the tax call says.

Voters approved the tax in 2004, the first year of Parish President Charlotte Randolph’s tenure. It is currently scheduled to expire at the end of this year.

Voters May 3 will be asked to extend the 1.8-mill maximum levy for 10 years. As property values increased that rate was rolled back to 1.69 mills.

Owners of property appraised at $150,000 would pay $13.50 per year in special-service taxes for a 1.8-mill tax. At the current rate of 1.69 mills, the tax bill is $12.68.

Voters are asked to extend the maximum rate, but the actual present-day tax would remain at 1.69 mills. The district could request the parish council to roll forward the rate to the maximum amount if property values slide.

Bond writers estimate the tax would generate $1.5 million in revenue per year.

Fire Protection District No. 7, headquartered on La. Highway 308 near Lafourche Crossing on the outskirts of Thibodaux, seeks a 10-year renewal of a 15-mill levy. It has been rolled back to 11.99 mills.

Owners of property valued at $150,000 would pay $112 in taxes on 15 mills. At the current authorized rate – which will remain in place should the tax be extended, unless the council approves bumping it – that tax bill is $89.93.

It would produce an estimated $124,000 in annual revenue. Right now the district collects about $90,000 annually, according to board treasurer Barry Ledet. Aside from taxes, the only other reliable source of revenue is a Lorio Foundation grant, he added.

The district’s tax proceeds can be used to acquire, construct, improve, maintain and operate fire-protection facilities and equipment and to pay the cost of water for fire-protection purposes.

District No. 7’s insurance rating is a 4, Ledet said. The department, whose district spans from Twelve Cedars subdivision to Lafourche Crossing, owns two pumper trucks and two salvage trucks.

Voters last approved the tax in 2005. It is scheduled to expire at the end of 2015. If renewed, the tax would be levied through 2025.

Voters must register by April 2. Early voting runs from April 19-26.