Authement accepts job in Rapides Parish
April 30, 2013Larpenter stands by Work Release
April 30, 2013
The last chance Terrebonne voters have to cast ballots for or against two items that will have important effects on their tax bills as well as the future direction of their water and school systems is Saturday.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m as voters decide whether to become part of the Bayou Lafourche Freshwater District, and whether to approve an unprecedented millage increase for the Terrebonne Parish School District.
When early voting closed this weekend, a total of 1,907 people had taken advantage of the early voting option, and cast their ballots at the office of the Registrar of Voters.
“For two propositions with no candidates we found that was a good turnout for early voting,” said Registrar Linda Rodrigue.
There are 63,306 registered voters in Terrebonne Parish. In a December election that included a levee tax proposal and a judicial race, the turnout was at around 1,000.
Voters are deciding whether their school tax should rise from the current 9.27 mills to 40.27 mills. That will bring the school tax cost for a home assessed at $100,000 to around $77 per year.
Supt. Philip Martin maintains that the tax increase, which would bring Terrebonne on par with the majority of Louisiana’s school systems, is essential for the future of schools and children in the parish.
The Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce publicly opposes the measure, charging that Martin has not supplied enough detail on how the money, if approved by voters, will be spent.
Martin, meanwhile, says his system is teetering dangerously into the red. He faces a $6 million budget deficit and a shortage of 150 certified teachers.
Does he think the robust early turnout indicates support for his increase?
“I don’t know what to read into it,” Martin said, adding that his own family members were among the early voters.
The proposed change in water service, which could save rate-payers from considerable future increases according to supporters, does have Chamber support. Likewise, there is no way to divine, for now, whether a big early turnout shows support for the measure by voters.
Terrebonne already receives most of its water from Bayou Lafourche, but the contract governing that arrangement is up for renewal. The Bayou Lafourche Freshwater District will not renew the contract. It will, however, offer Terrebonne seats on its board. Membership for the parish will result in a millage.
The cost for the average homeowner of the 2.11-mil tax assessment would be $1.15 per month, according to documents prepared by the district. There would still be a charge for water based on gallons used.
The increase in water rates if the millage – and membership in the BLFD – is approved, would be around $3 per month more than what consumers pay now with water charges at about 30 cents per 1,000 gallons, officials said.
A local teacher gives instructions to her class this week. Locals will vote on whether to increase taxes to boost the Terrebonne schools.
