Lafourche 2008 budget hearing set for today in Raceland

Lafourche Parish residents will have a final chance to offer input about the parish’s 2008 Operation and Maintenance Budget and the Capital Budget today at 5 p.m.

A first public hearing will be held today at the Lafourche Parish Council Barrios Center at 1612 Highway 182, Suite 100, in Raceland.

Lafourche Parish President Charlotte Randolph proposed the 2008 budget in early October. The Operation and Maintenance Budget is estimated at more than $47 million and the Capital Budget is a little over $24 million.

The 2008 budget numbers fall in between Lafourche’s 2006 and 2007 budgets, which were $42 million and $52 million, respectively.

The parish estimates having $24 million in funding for proposed projects in the 2008 budget. Randolph said this includes $12 million tacked on for new and existing projects.

Not included in the 2008 figures is a five-year projection for additional capital improvements totaling $24 million, according to the parish president.

During the 2007 fiscal year, general sales tax collection in Lafourche Parish brought in nearly $12 million and ad valorem taxes accounted for $9 million.

Council chairman Tommy Lassiegne said several grants, state revenue sharing, fees, licenses, permits and other revenue sources are expected to generate $26 million for the 2008 fiscal year.

This figure includes $4.6 million of an estimated $10 million from the federal government via the Coastal Impact Assistance Program and $4 million from the state for the saltwater control structure north of Larose.

In a letter addressed to the council, Randolph said by Dec. 31, Lafourche Parish will have an outstanding debt of $32 million. The annual principal and interest debt service due in 2008 will be $5 million, accounting for nine percent of the total appropriation for 2008.