Covering Louisiana
Meeting called to discuss Lafayette Parish taxes
Posted: Feb 14, 2013 10:46 AM by AP
LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - City-Parish Council Chairman Brandon Shelvin has called a Monday meeting for a wide-ranging discussion of taxes in Lafayette Parish, a first step in what could evolve into a new tax proposal for city-parish government.
The Lafayette Parish School Board, Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office, the five smaller municipalities in the parish and several other local government entities that are supported by tax revenue have been invited to attend the meeting.
The Advocate reports the meeting will be held at 2 p.m. Monday in the council auditorium at the main city-parish government offices on University Avenue and is open to the public.
Shelvin said the goal is for everyone to discuss their financial needs and any planned tax proposals in the near future.
The meeting comes as some city-parish officials have been talking about the possibility of a new tax proposal for city-parish government.
"We want to make sure we are all on the same page and not stepping on anyone's toes," Shelvin said.
One potential issue of discussion could be a new tax plan from Lafayette Parish School Superintendent Pat Cooper.
Cooper has proposed a 10-year, 15-mill property tax for the educational turnaround plan and a temporary one-cent sales tax for up to six years dedicated to facility improvements.
Cooper has said the plan is a rough draft, and the School Board has formed a committee of community members to vet Cooper's proposal and develop a recommendation.
City-parish leaders have not laid out any specific tax plan, but City-Parish President Joey Durel last week called for the creation of a "blue ribbon" committee to assess the financial needs of local government.
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