St. Martin Parish residents will see a tax proposition on their ballots next month, and Parish President Chester Cedars and the parish council are hoping that residents will vote 'yes.'
Those propositions will fund the parish library and other government services. Half of the funds will be used for constructing, improving, and operating libraries in the parish, including purchasing furniture, fixtures, lands, and equipment. The remaining half will go towards operating and maintaining public buildings and recreational facilities, supporting programs for elderly parish residents if authorized by state statute. Funds will also go towards the payment of mandated expenses for the operation of the criminal court system.
Cedars is reminding residents, though, that these are not new taxes.
"We are asking the voters to consider a renewal of that millage," said Cedars. "It's not a new tax, it's a renewal and a re-dedication. Fifty percent will be used for the library system, and fifty percent will go to cover three areas of expenses for parish governments."
In full, the proposition reads:
Shall the Parish of St. Martin, State of Louisiana (the "Parish"), be authorized to extend the levy of a special tax of 3.83 mills (the "Tax") currently authorized to be levied for public library purposes on all the property subject to taxation in the Parish (an estimated $1,500,000 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), for an additional ten (10) years, commencing with the year 2021 and ending in 2030, and shall the Parish further be authorized to henceforth rededicate the Tax so that 50% of the proceeds of the Tax received in each year shall be used for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, improving, operating and maintaining public libraries in the Parish, including acquiring furniture, fixtures, buildings, lands, vehicles, and equipment therefor, and 50% of the proceeds of the Tax received in each year shall be used for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, improving, operating and maintaining public buildings and recreational facilities, supporting programs for the elderly in the Parish if and as authorized by state statute, and/or for payment of mandated expenses for the operation of the criminal court system?
Election Day is November 3.
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