Concerned Citizens Around Murphy: Property Tax Referendum

Property Tax Referendums under consideration

St Bernard Parish residents will vote in 2020 on additional, new property taxes to fund storm drainage canals and pumps, which were formerly funded under the Lake Borgne Basin Levee District (LBBLD) property tax (currently 11 mills for levees, drainage, and pumps).

It is unclear at this time if the referendum will simultaneously reduce the 11 mills for LBBLD and add a new property tax for SBPG’s new responsibility to operate and maintain drainage canals and pumps. OR if the LBBLD will continue to collect 11 mills and SBPG collect a new additional tax.

Stay Tune for Updates and look for public hearings and community meetings.

For a history of the LBBLD mileage and its decision to abandon its responsibilities for canals and pumps see SBPG video from 2018 here ….. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=316&v=z6bAnrp_64E&feature=emb_logo

See below for a chart of current property tax mileages

http://www.stbassessor.com/assessment-information/millage-rates

Aside from the LBBLD 11 mills, residents of St Bernard Parish also pay property taxes to The St Bernard Port (3.72 mills). However, as a state port, the properties within the port's jurisdiction do not pay a property tax. Recently, the Meraux Foundation and the Louisiana Economic Development proposed another tax exempt state port to be located near our Trist Middle School and operated by the Port of NOLA; the proposed plans include operation of a container storage yard, including storage of plastic pellets. Increased rail and perhaps even the discontinuation of St Bernard Highway at that junction are among top concerns, which residents do not believe are worth the property tax exemption.

Total Industrial Tax Exemptions (ITE) in St Bernard Parish should also be a consideration. District schools, law enforcement, fire stations, roads and lighting, our rural hospital, recreation, library, and even garbage collection are mainly funded through property tax. However, many of the heavy industries in St Bernard Parish enjoy large property tax exemptions. Recent changes to the state ITE program give local municipalities the option to not exempt industry from local property tax. Of the few ITE applications since this change, the SBP Council, Sheriff Department, School Board, and SBP Fire Department via the Council, have all decided not to grant the exemptions. Given we have closed fire stations and have a continued decreased domiciled-residential population since 2005, this was a good budget decision. The local option began by executive order of Governor John Bel Edwards in his first term. Whether or not the 2020 Republican controlled Louisiana State Legislature will attempt to change this local option remains to be seen. Yet, these industries still receive drainage and levee protection, and rely on our fire department for major incidents.

One thing St Bernard Parish residents can control is whether or not to continue the current 11 mils for LBBLD and add an additional tax for the drainage and pumps, or to reject such a referendum (if presented) and demand a different tax structure (i.e., lower the LBBLD tax and simultaneously add the drainage and pump tax).

Look for public hearings and community meetings on this and other tax issues.

Parish Wide Mills

Assessment District

1.86

Council on Aging Sr. Citizens

0.94

Fire District Parish Wide

20.41

Garbage District

3.05

General Alimony (general fund)

2.81