North LA Local Governments Want More of Your Money

Caddo Parish

Shall the Caddo-Bossier Parishes Port Commission (the “Commission”), acting under the authority of Article VI, Sections 30 and 32 of the Louisiana Constitution of 1974, as amended, and Chapter 37 of Title 34 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, as amended (the “Act”), and other constitutional and statutory authority, continue to levy a special tax of two and one-half (2-1/2) mills on all the property subject to taxation in the port area consisting of Caddo and Bossier Parishes (the “Port Area”), (an estimated $6,800,000 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year) for a period of twenty-five (25) years, commencing with the year 2018, for the purpose of site acquisition and for constructing, acquiring, improving and equipping docks and wharves, transfer and storage facilities, commercial and industrial facilities and other port, transportation and infrastructure facilities and improvements within the Port Area, as more fully described in the Act, title to which shall be in the public, and for paying the Commission’s expenses of administering, maintaining, operating and marketing its facilities in the Port Area?

Shall Parishwide School District of Caddo Parish, Louisiana (the “District”), be authorized to levy a special tax of a twenty and eighteen hundredths (20.18) mills on all property subject to taxation within the District (an estimated $34,314,000 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), for a period of ten (10) years, beginning with the year 2017 and ending with the year 2026, for the purpose of paying salaries and benefits for teachers and other personnel employed by the Caddo Parish School Board?

Shall Parishwide School District of Caddo Parish, Louisiana (the “District”), be authorized to levy a special tax of five and fifteen hundredths (5.15) mills on all property subject to taxation within the District (an estimated $8,757,000 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), for a period of ten (10) years, beginning with the year 2017 and ending with the year 2026, for the purpose of paying the costs of renovation, repair and improvement of existing public school buildings and facilities in the District?

Shall Parishwide School District of Caddo Parish, Louisiana (the “District”), be authorized to levy a special tax of one and twenty-five hundredths (1.25) mills on all property subject to taxation within the District (an estimated $2,125,500 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), for a period of ten (10) years, beginning with the year 2017 and ending with the year 2026, for the purpose of paying the costs of constructing, acquiring, renovating, improving, maintaining and/or operating computers, software and peripheral equipment, facilities and technological programs at public schools in Caddo Parish?

City of Ruston

Shall the City of Ruston, Louisiana (the “City”), under Article VI, Section 29 of the Constitution of the State of Louisiana of 1974, and other constitutional and statutory authority, be authorized to levy and collect a tax of three quarters of one percent (3/4%) (the “Tax”), upon the sale at retail, the use, the lease or rental, the consumption, and the storage for use or consumption, of tangible personal property and on sales of services in the City, all as defined by law, for 20 years commencing July 1, 2016, and ending June 30, 2036, collections from the Tax for the first year expected to be approximately $4,250,000, with the proceeds of the Tax (after paying costs of collection and administration), to be dedicated and used to construct, improve, maintain, and/or repair public streets, related drainage, and facilities for the provision of water and sewer services; for economic development; and to acquire, construct, maintain, operate and/or equip a multi-sports recreation complex, an animal shelter and related property, facilities and utilities, all within the corporate limits of the City, and for authority to fund a portion of the avails of the Tax into Bonds in the manner provided by law?

Ouachita Parish

Shall the East Ouachita Economic Development District (the “District”), be authorized to levy a tax of 1.39% (the “Tax”) for a period of twenty-five (25) years, commencing July 1, 2016, upon the sale at retail, the use, the lease or rental, the consumption, and the storage for use or consumption, of tangible personal property and on sales of services within the Parish as defined by law, (an estimated $2,650,000 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the Tax for an entire year), with the proceeds of the Tax (after paying costs of collecting the Tax) to be dedicated and used for the purposes of undertaking economic development projects consisting of road, drainage and related infrastructure improvements for the benefit of the District?

The election is tomorrow (Saturday, 4/9).