Board adopts 2025 millage rates, approves new federal liaison position and several budget items

The Saint Mary Parish School Board on May 8, 2025: adopted its annual property tax millage rates for 2025, approved an additional federal programs liaison funded through federal grants, accepted a bid for a parcel of parish property, increased per-diem meal allowances for board travel, and approved recommendations from district maintenance committees for the 2025–26 fiscal year.

The board adopted the 2025 millage rates read aloud from the district resolution and based on the maximum millage report from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor. Board staff said these are renewals and not new taxes; bond millage rates are reviewed annually to ensure fund balances remain appropriate for upcoming principal and interest obligations. The adoption carried unanimously.

The board approved adding a second federal programs liaison position, to be funded through federal program allocations and Title I-related work. The motion carried with one recorded no vote by Miss Griffin.

Other formal actions: the board accepted a single bid of $7,777.77 for a parcel described as 16 Section Land S16 T17 SR12E (bid submitted by "mister Harris a DeHart junior" in the packet), and the board approved changes to per-diem meal allowances (local no-overnight per diem increased from $15 to $20; overnight in-state excluding New Orleans increased from $30 to $50; overnight to New Orleans and Baton Rouge and out-of-state increased from $40 to $60). The board also received a group health insurance claims report showing a year-to-date loss ratio of about 82.3% and unusually low medical claims through April, while prescription spend remains driven by high-cost GLP medications.

Maintenance committees for Districts 1, 2 and 3 presented recommended projects and funding levels for the 2025–26 consolidated maintenance plans; the full board approved the committees' recommendations. Committee summaries included approximate approvals of $1,100,000 in general maintenance and $350,000 in capital projects for District 2 and approximately $1,650,000 for District 3; District 1 projects were to be presented for inclusion in the consolidated maintenance district budget.

Votes at a glance: - Adopt 2025 millage rates (renewals, not new taxes). Mover: Mister Parady; second: Miss Jones. Outcome: adopted (unanimous). Note: Millages and bonds read from district resolution; staff cited Louisiana Legislative Auditor maximum millage report. - Add additional federal programs liaison (federal funding). Mover: Miss Moore; second: Miss Brent. Outcome: approved; recorded 1 no vote (Miss Griffin). - Accept bid for 16 Section Land (parcel) from mister Harris a DeHart junior, $7,777.77. Mover: unknown in public record (motion made from the floor); second: Mister Guillory. Outcome: approved. - Increase per-diem meal allowances (local $15->$20; in-state overnight excluding New Orleans $30->$50; New Orleans/Baton Rouge/out-of-state $40->$60). Mover: Miss Moore; substitute amendment by Miss Anselm to include Baton Rouge in higher tier. Outcome: amendment and motion approved. - Approve maintenance committee project recommendations: District 1 (projects to be consolidated into district maintenance budget); District 2 (approximately $1,100,000 general maintenance and $350,000 capital projects recommended); District 3 (approximately $1,650,000 recommended). Movers: committee chairs; Outcome: approved by the full board. - Approve consent agenda (includes proclamations, permission to solicit proposals and advertise bids). Outcome: approved. - Approve regular board meeting minutes of April 10, 2025. Outcome: approved.

What the board said: During the millage discussion, staff emphasized that the millages adopted were renewals required for collection and that the board would have an opportunity to revisit rates after the next reassessment. On the federal liaison item, staff described expanding Title I and districtwide federal program responsibilities as the rationale for a second liaison.

Next steps: staff will implement adjustments in per-diem policy, post advertised positions as directed, and present budget amendments and the consolidated maintenance budget items at upcoming meetings for formal adoption where required.