Terrebonne propositions pass

Terrebonne voters passed all nine initiatives posed to them on Saturday’s ballot, a collection that included eight tax renewals and one new tax imposed on users of the parish’s hotels.

The 1-percent occupancy tax, levied by the Houma Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, will help fund recreation and tourism infrastructure. Parish officials have said the estimated $301,000 in revenue derived each year would go toward the so-called Field of Dreams recreation complex on La. Highway 311.

The occupancy tax passed with two-thirds of the 4,778 voters in favor, according to complete but unofficial results released by the Secretary of State. The parishwide turnout was at 7.6 percent.

Two tax renewals in the City of Houma for fire and police services passed with overwhelming support. The police initiative passed with 79 percent of the 1,828 voters in support, and the fire services tax renewal passed with 81 percent of the vote. Turnout in city limits was roughly 9 percent.

Each Houma tax is levied at 5.08 mills and is estimated to bring in $1.2 million per year.

Six other parishwide renewals passed Saturday:

– A 5.33-mill tax funding Terrebonne ARC passed by a 3,529-to-1,285 vote (73 percent in the majority). It will raise an estimated $4.3 million per year.

– A 7.31-mill tax funding drainage passed by a 3,741-to-1,059 vote (78 percent). It will raise an estimated $5.9 million per year.

– A 0.42-mill tax funding operations and maintenance of the Terrebonne Regional Mental Health Center passed by a 3,627-to-1,159 vote (76 percent). It will raise an estimated $341,000 per year.

– A 7.5-mill tax funding the parish’s Council on Aging passed by a 3,669-to-1,131 vote (76 percent). It will raise an estimated $6.1 million per year.

– A 0.98-mill tax funding the acquisition, construction, operation and maintenance of a youth center passed by a 3,295-to-1,450 vote (69 percent). It will raise an estimated $795,000 per year.

– A 0.96-mill tax, also for a youth center, passed by a 2,689-to-2,091 vote (56 percent). This proposal read like a new tax, but in reality it was an extension. The state Legislature originally levied the tax, and now that it is expiring, the parish aims to collect for the same purpose, according to the parish’s finance director. It will raise an estimated $778,000 per year.