T-PT earns 3rd consecutive state title
May 7, 2010Tuesday, May 11
May 11, 2010
St. Mary Parish will maintain its own levees and create hurricane and flood projects in the future, following overwhelming support Saturday by voters to pass a millage increase that will generate $25 million annually for the next 30 years.
More than 1,700 voters cast ballots, with 67 percent – 1,192 voters – in favor of the 5-mill property tax hike and 33 percent – 596 voters – against it.
St. Mary Parish Levee District chairman Bill Hidalgo said the next step is beginning long-needed levee upgrades and repairs.
“Now we’re ready to go to work to protect the levees of St. Mary Parish, to fix those that are in need of repair and to survey and maintain those that are in good condition,” he said. “Our voters are going to see more than grass cutting – there is going to be action.”
Most homeowners will pay just over $10 more annually in property taxes with the hike, Hidalgo said. Business owners will pay a minimum of $37.50 or a maximum of $500.
The levee district will begin collecting taxes January 2011. In the meantime, however, the district can bond millage revenue to begin funding repairs to the parish’s 126 miles of levees.
“If we don’t have levees then we can’t prevent flooding,” Hidalgo said. “And one of our first priorities – especially since we dodged a bullet from the snow melts up north in Illinois – is to look at how we can protect the Bayou Chene area, which has previously created flooding situations not only in St. Mary, but in Terrebonne [and neighboring] parishes.”
State Sen. Butch Gautreaux and Terrebonne levee district director Reggie Dupre have expressed concern about backwater from the Atchafalaya River creating flooding in Bayou Chene and over into Amelia, Gibson and Bayou Black.
Gautreaux said in 2008, Iberville Parish experienced major flooding. That same floodwater made its way as far south as Gibson.
Likewise, Dupre spoke of the 1973 flood that extended from Gibson to Montegut, leaving La. Highways 311 and 182 under water.
“With this money, we’re going to try and correct these situations in our parish,” Hidalgo said. “There are examples of floodgates already designed by the Shaw Group. We can find one that fits all of our needs and roll.”
A marker in Morgan City serves as a reminder of the Jan. 27, 1957, April 18, 1975 and the May 28, 1973 floods. Parish officials lauded voters’ overwhelming support of a property tax hike aimed at upgrading and repairing levees across St. Mary Parish. * File photo / Tri-Parish Times
