Perhaps the most newsworthy item from this morning’s meeting of the Lincoln Parish Detention Center Commission meeting was that nearly half the sitting members of the Lincoln Parish Police Jury (LPPJ) were there.
In addition to President Theresa Wyatt (District One) and Skip Russell (District Eight) – both are members of the commission – also present were District Three’s Bobby Bennett, District Four’s Mike Franklin, and District Seven’s Jody Backus.
Several staff from Lasalle Southwest Corrections, the operator of the Lincoln Parish Detention Center, were present.
Third Judicial (Lincoln, Union parishes) District Attorney Bob Levy, City of Ruston Chief of Police Steve Rogers, and Lincoln Parish Sheriff Mike Stone filled out the roster of the commission’s legally constituted membership.
The amended 2011 and 2012 proposed budgets were adopted unanimously, and the warden reported that as of today, 167 inmates were housed at the center, including 54 pretrial detainees.
See here the year-to-date revenues and expenditures
See here the amended 2011 and proposed 2012 budget.
There was no mention of Stone’s proposed new 1/2 cent sales tax during the meeting, although the subject was widely discussed after the session adjourned.
Some informed observers have opined that if Stone places a new 1/2 cent sales tax on the ballot along with a proposal to re-impose an expiring 7.83 mil property tax that has funded sheriff’s office operations for the past ten years, both tax propositions would be defeated.
12/05/2011 at 2:22 pm |
At Forgotson.com is this explanation about “tax renewals”
A tax “renewal” is not recognized by the state constitution, statutes or house and senate rules. There are only tax increases and new taxes.
“Renewal” is a euphemism used by politicians to deceive the public.
12/05/2011 at 2:48 pm |
You are precisely correct. Looks like I’ve fallen into the bad journalistic habit that I used to criticize the “real” news media for. I will edit my posting to make it more precise as to what is happening on the millage.
12/05/2011 at 5:51 pm |
From the comments I’ve heard, no matter the correct term, if they have to go vote against a new sales tax, it’s all getting the “NO” treatment. People want to send a message, sorta like “are you crazy??” Just for being asked to support another tax.
12/05/2011 at 6:46 pm |
Anyone know how many prisoners there were 10 years ago vs today? If the number of prisoners has increased, has it gone up faster than our population? Would it cost less to bail the pretrials out than keep them because they don’t have $500 for bail?
12/06/2011 at 6:55 am |
They already write summons instead of jail whenever possile. the problem is that violent crimes and drug crimes have increased.
I for one do not want a drug dealer walking the streets because there is no room in the jail. Same goes for an armed robber or a third time dwi.
12/06/2011 at 11:59 am |
Every time an officer makes an arrest in Lincoln Parish, the LPDC has to decide who to let go on a signature bond to make room. Numerous offenders receive citations or are simply cut loose because there’s no room to house them. The DC has been full for a very long time.
12/06/2011 at 1:43 pm |
Please explain how a millage “renewal” is a form of deception. Deception would be a hidden tax hike. This is not a new tax or tax increase. The proposition only requests that the citizens of lincoln parish continue to pay what they have been paying since this renewal was proposed ten years ago. Since this only hits the ballots once every ten years, in a way it is a guarantee that there will be no millage increase for the decade to come. This millage, as for all other parishes in Louisiana, is one of the primary fundings for the local Sheriff’s Office. If not renewed there will be a noticeable decrease in quality provided by law enforcement and community services, which will in turn cause major disappointment to the citizens. A disappointment that the citizens of this parish will suffer for ten years. Considering the increased prices in fuel and everything else that causes our costs of living to soar, I, for one, am suprised to see that this is one thing that remains a constant.
12/06/2011 at 3:07 pm |
Hummm… Methinks “Anonymous” may be looking forward to a sweet retirement (with paid health insurance) from, maybe, the LP Sherrif’s Office.
12/07/2011 at 9:51 am |
Already retired actually but not from LP and not so sweet. But my retirement check comes from the same place as your LP Sheriff’s Ofc and retirees from all other parishes, and that is Baton Rouge. All retirees from every parish are on state retirement. Everyone is entitled to an opinion and tax issues are sensitive subjects. I just urge everyone to educate themselves prior to voting at any poll, now and on into the future.
12/07/2011 at 8:34 pm |
Retirement does have a substantial employee contribution, but the health insurance retirement benefit is paid by the local department out of current cash: 100 % employee and 50% spouse. I could be wrong but that is what I understood. None of this matters, though. At the end of one’s money, one stops spending. This always leaves some needs and wants on the shelf; that’s life. I have no beef with what anyone makes.