OPPJ Staff, Assessor Discuss V-Tax Refund

District A Ouachita Parish Police Juror and Finance Committee Chairman Charles Jackson met two weeks ago with the Ouachita Parish Tax Assessor, the Police Jury Treasurer and the Ouachita Parish Tax Collector to discuss a process for refunding the V-Vehicle bond ad valorum tax. The tax was passed last October 17 and was supposed to fund the local contribution toward the company’s construction of an auto assembly plant at the old GM Guide Plant in Monroe.

The building and property are owned by Guideco Properties, LLC, a front company for Ruston businessman James Davison. The facility is now under lease to the company at an undetermined price.

The memo – obtained by Lincoln Parish News Online pursuant to a public records request – outlines several issues discussed, including costs, staff time and data entry. One option discussed was the possibility of issuing a credit for 2010 taxes in lieu of issuing a check.

Earlier this week, LPNO had reported that the memo was from Jackson to the other jurors, when in fact it originated from the police jury staff. The issue of a potential refund was not discussed at the jury meeting Monday night, nor was it listed on the agenda.

There is also a statistical breakdown of the levy that was collected for tax year 2009. As of March 3, 2010, the total amount collected was over $1.4 million.

Lincoln Parish News Online has reported extensively on the controversial company and the Monroe project. Archived stories can be found here. We will continue to report on this ongoing story.