2 tax propositions in Lafourche, 1 in Terrebonne

Lafourche Parish Fire District No. 6, which services a swath of Thibodaux, is asking voters for an additional 2.6 mills to dedicate toward a bond issue that would fund new equipment.

The referendum that will appear on the ballot officially asks for the authority to incur debt up to $1.3 million over 20 years through general obligation bonds. By voting in the affirmative, voters will also approve a 2.4 mill hike to the property tax roll.

In 1998, voters approved a 20-year bond agreement for $600,000 at a 4.0-mill increase. The district expects to complete its bond obligation this year, seven years earlier than agreed. A few years ago, the district rolled back the 4.0 millage to 1.0. Now, they seek to increase the rate to 3.4 mills through 2031.

According to the Lafourche Parish Tax Assessor’s Office, 3.4 mills equates to $25.50 per year on property valued at $150,000 when including a property owner’s homestead exemption.

The St. John’s Volunteer Fire Department provides service to the Thibodaux district. In 2010, the district collected 8.6 mills, or roughly $426,000. The 7.6 mill tax that complements the 1.0 mill bond obligation is for operations.

Brian Fontenot, a fire investigator with the volunteer fire department, said the bonds would be used to finance a new ladder company and a new pumper truck needed to keep up with a growing district. The current ladder company is 40 years old and the pumper truck is 30 years old, Fontenot said.

“In 1998, 4 mills only brought us 600,000. Today, 3.4 mills is going to bring us 1.3 million,” Fontenot said. “Just that alone shares with you how much growth we’ve seen in our district and that values have changed.”

Bayou Blue Fire District seeks tax renewal

Voters in Bayou Blue will also decide Saturday whether or not to renew their 10-mill, 10-year dedication for fire protection. The Bayou Blue District is split between Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes, meaning voters in both parishes will decide the proposition.

The millage brought in a little more than $350,000 for the Bayou Blue Fire District in 2010. It is the base funding for the district and used for operations.

“If we don’t get our millage renewed, then we shut our doors,” said Caroll McKey, secretary of the Bayou Blue Volunteer Fire Department board of directors.

A sample ballot is available at www.sos.la.gov.