Museum, fire taxes pass in Terrebonne

Terrebonne Parish voters approved continuation of taxes that pay for a rapidly growing veterans museum, as well as existing taxes for one fire protection districts and an increase for another fire protection area.

The Schriever Fire District tax has increased from 12 to 15 mills, by a margin of 38 percent.

Fire Protection District Five – which includes communities in Terrebonne and Lafourche – had its current 16-mill tax renewed, by a margin of 29 percent in Terrebonne, 857 to 344 votes. In Lafourche, which includes a small portion of the district, the measure failed by a vote of 21 to 15.

The renewal of the Terrebonne Parish Veteran’s District tax of a half-mill passed 12719 to 6195, or 67 percent to 33 percent.

The district operates the Houma Regional Military Museum on Barrow Street in Houma and a veteran’s park along La. Highway 311.

“I was confident that the extension would pass, but surprised at the ratio,” said district board member Matthew Porche. “I didn’t expect it to be so positive, while our local economy seems to be slowing down. It seems that our community must appreciate what the Regional Military Museum has accomplished so far, and I am sure they will not be disappointed going into the future.”