Terrebonne school term limits, parish, fire millages on ballot

Terrebonne Parish voters have multiple measures to consider during the Nov. 6 election. Decisions begin with the state’s offering parishes the opportunity to individually decide on term limits of school board members. Two fire departments are asking for taxpayer money to secure extra personnel and continued finance usage for a building project. Then the parish government is requesting voters to approve a tax extension with a specific project in mind.

If passed, establish term limits for school board members mean no individual may hold a position on the decision-making panels for more than 12 consecutive years. Under existing rules members can serve indefinitely.

Critics of school board term limits have said such a measure would disrupt continuity of services and force qualified office holders out the door. Supporters insist term limits cut out dead wood and promote a more proactive approach to administering public education.

Terrebonne Parish School Board President L.P. Bordelon is filling his 14th year on the education panel and said he supports term limits for all elected officials in any elected office.

“I have no problem with [term limits],” he said. “Having three terms gives you plenty of time to do what you want to do.”

Bordelon said it is his understanding at if the measure passes, existing board members would all be considered as serving their fist term with the next election. “No matter how long they have already served, they can still have three terms,” he said.

A second parish-wide measure for voters to consider is the approval or rejection of 1.66 mills on an 11-year term for the public health unit. Terrebonne Parish voters are being asked if the existing 1.66 millage may be used to help construct a new public health unit to replace the existing 30-year-old one at 600 Polk St.

Parish council members have said the 1.66 millage measure is not a tax increase, but a consent request. The existing millage generates approximately $1.3 million annually.

“[Approval would] extend the present millage, which runs until 2019,” Terrebonne Parish Chief Deputy Assessor Evelyn Pellegrin said. “It is like a renewal to add-on an additional 11 years. The present millage is 1.66 and runs through the year of 2019 and this one would take over in 2020 until 2030.”

The Grand Caillou Fire Protection District No. 4 is asking voters in lower Terrebonne Parish precincts 52, 53 and 54 to consider adopting a tax of 5.71 mills with a 10-year limit. This amount reflects a 0.14 mill boost to the existing 5.57 mills. The tax increase represents revenue to be generated from the 2012 adjusted assessments that averaged 10 percent for property owners.

Grand Caillou Fire Board members approved making the tax request and specified funds would be used for the purchase of new equipment in addition to general operations.

The Bayou Cane Fire Protection district is also asking taxpayers to dole out more cash with two millage propositions. The first request is for renewal of 20 mills for 10 years. Additionally, the fire district is requesting a new 10 mill measure be adopted on a 10-year note.

Bayou Cane Fire Department Chief Ken Himel said if the two millages are not adopted, he may have to cut four to six firefighters and decreased revenue could impact overall service.

“The renewal keeps everything in place as far as operations and staffing,” Himel said. “The 10 additional mills will allow us to maintain the four stations we have at current staffing levels. It will allow us to give the services we are providing now.”

Himel said the fire department has $4.4 million in revenue, which includes $1.1 million in grant financing that runs out at the end of 2012. “If we have to lay off firefighters that means we would not be in compliance with state mandated staffing rates, and could potentially lead to a fire station closing.”

The Bayou Cane Fire Protection District measures will be decided by voters in precincts 5, 8-11, 13 and 14, 15, 17, 18-20, and 23.

Millages are property taxes charged and equal $1 for every $1,000 taxed. In Louisiana homeowners are exempt from paying taxes on the first $75,000 of a real property value.