Lafourche to consider rolling forward millages

Lafourche Parish residents can weigh in on proposed changes to the tax millage rate at Tuesday’s parish council meeting. The meeting is held at the Old Wal-Mart in Mathews beginning at 5 p.m.

Parish President Charlotte Randolph said four property taxes would likely roll forward.

“We are aware that by raising millages, that still may not generate more money for the parish,” said Finance Director Joel Doty. “However, we feel that raising the rates is something we need to do.”

Property values set by the parish Assessor’s Office will determine if the adjusted millage rates generates more cash for Lafourche Parish, Doty explained. “If the property values are down, then the parish could see more money.”

Doty said taxes on general alimony, criminal, drainage, recreational facilities and public buildings are set to roll forward this year.

Last year, the parish collected 2.68 mills for general alimony and .76 mills for criminal taxes. The parish government wants to raise the tax to 2.87 mills and .78, respectively. The adjustment would generate just over $1.6 million for the parish, Doty said, approximately $100,000 more than the parish currently receives.

If approved, drainage taxes currently set at 3.16 mills would roll forward to 3.34 mills, increasing the parish’s take to $2 million.

Doty said an increase from 1.56 mills to 1.65 mills of the parish’s recreational facilities would generate $955,000, a $14,000 annual hike.

And levying the parish’s public building tax at 2.49 mills – up from 2.35 mills – would generate $1.5 million, or $400,000 more than is currently collected.

The property tax millages that will remain the same include: Fire District No. 4, Fire District No. 7 (12.69 mills), Fire Protection District No. 9 (9.66 mills), Veterans Memorial District (.98 mills), Council on Aging (2 mills), Drainage, Health and Library (5.41 mills), Road District No. 1 (5 mills), Special District No. 1 (1.71 mills) and Health Unit (.77).