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Council adopts expansion of Economic Development District No. 1, applies existing 1% sales tax to new area
Summary
The Iberia Parish Council voted Nov. 12 to alter the boundaries of Economic Development District No. 1 and to levy the district’s existing 1% sales tax within the expanded area, contingent on a companion parish ordinance. Bond counsel said the expansion is supported by a registrar of voters certificate showing no registered voters within the new territory.
The Iberia Parish Council on Nov. 12 adopted an ordinance expanding the boundaries of Economic Development District (EDD) No. 1 and authorized the application of the district’s existing 1% sales tax to the newly included area.
Jason Akers of Foley Newdome Bond Counsel told the council the office prepared the ordinance and that the expansion is paired with a companion ordinance on the parish council agenda later in the day. "This ordinance authorizes the expansion of the boundaries of EDD number 1,” Akers said, and added that exhibit C contains a certificate from the registrar of voters "that indicates that there are no registered voters living within the expanded area," which removes a legal obstacle to applying the existing tax.
Council members emphasized that this action does not create a new tax but extends the footprint of the existing levy. "This is the existing tax within the Economic Development District, number 1," a member reiterated during the public discussion before the vote.
The ordinance was opened for public hearing, presented by bond counsel, and carried on the council floor after a brief question-and-answer period. There was no public opposition recorded in the meeting transcript.
What happens next: the expansion is contingent on the companion parish council action noted by bond counsel. If the companion ordinance is adopted as expected, the parish will apply the district’s existing 1% sales tax in the expanded territory to support the EDD’s activities.
Sources and testimony: bond counsel Jason Akers presented the ordinance and explained the registrar of voters certification; the clerk recorded the council’s vote to carry the motion.
