Chamber to TPSB: Let’s work together

Supporters of an increased property tax to give added support to Terrebonne Parish schools suffered a crushing defeat Saturday, when voters rejected the proposal by a whopping 76 percent.

Business leaders – who spearheaded an effort to kill the proposed 31 mill increase – say they are ready to work with school officials to find more acceptable ways of heading off a burgeoning deficit in excess of $6 million, and to organize a community-wide discussion on how best to meet the school system’s future needs.

“Clearly this is not a time for celebration,” said Jennifer Arnaud, Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce chairwoman. The chamber mounted the most visible attack against the proposal, basing its opposition on the belief that Superintendent of Schools Philip Martin had failed to supply a plan for how the added money, which they maintained would have strapped taxpayers, would be spent.

Martin said he had presented what he saw as a plan, including specifics on replacement or refurbishing of schools in need of repair, a proposed across-the-board salary increase for teachers and staff, as well as security additions.

“We took a licking obviously but what it is, it’s what it is,” said Martin. “Does there have to be another plan? Yes. Do I have a new specific plan? No. There has to be another solution. If this one wasn’t a good one I am willing to sit, discuss, listen. My mind is not locked. If someone has some good ideas and they think it will work let it come on.”

Martin said he welcomes input from the chamber and any other facets of the community.

He suspects the yea votes came primarily from school system employees and their families, though he can’t prove that and based the statement solely on ancdotal information.

A total of 12,775 voters cast ballots against the tax while 3,995 voted for it, according to unofficial results from the Louisiana Secretary of State.

The turnout represented just over 26 percent of the parish’s 63,606 eligible voters.

Hearings on the school system’s new budget will be held Aug. 19.

Before that occurs, Arnaud said, she is hoping to work with Terrebonne School Board members to corral various stakeholders for discussion on a tax proposal that might be more palatable for voters.

She expressed understanding that the school system is in need but now, as before the election, echoed concerns from her organization’s membership about whether a big property tax increase without a plan containing specificity was the best route to take.

On the same ballot voters approved membership of Terrebonne Parish in the Bayou Lafourche Freshwater District. A sweetheart contract, which kept the rates Terrebonne pays BLFD, was set to expire. Now that Terrebonne is a member rates for individual accounts will go up, by about $1.15 per month for the average homeowner.

Much bigger increases were expected if Terrebonne had to buy its water a la carte.