Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Tax Policy Millage topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sabine Parish jury adopts adjusted millage rates, approves roll‑forward for select fire districts
Summary
The police jury adopted adjusted millage rates for 2024 and approved roll‑forward increases for specified fire districts after discussion about reassessment mechanics and voter‑approved maximums; one roll‑forward measure passed on a recorded two‑thirds vote (6–3).
At a public meeting Sept. 18, the Sabine Parish Police Jury adopted adjusted millage rates for multiple taxing districts and approved a resolution to roll forward certain millage rates to the maximum allowed by prior voter propositions where legally permitted.
Staff cited the statutory framework—Article VII, Section 23(c) of the Louisiana Constitution and La. R.S. 47:1705(B)—as the legal basis for setting adjusted rates during an abnormal reassessment. The resolution listed adjusted rates for numerous road and fire districts and parish‑wide levies.
Tax Assessor Carl explained reassessment mechanics and voter impacts, saying assessors establish values, then state review adjusts the amount of mills needed to preserve revenue parity. He told jurors the options range from maintaining an adjusted rate to rolling forward up to the previously approved maximum, depending on assessed value changes. On the practical effect, jurors and speakers debated whether adopting the adjusted rates equates to a tax increase: one juror warned voters may perceive an increase while staff and the assessor clarified that, in many cases, adjusted or rolled rates preserve prior revenue rather than impose a new tax without voter approval.
A motion to adopt the presented adjusted millage rates passed by voice vote. The board then voted on a resolution to set forth adjusted rates and to roll forward to maximum authorized rates where appropriate; after discussion about specific fire districts (fire district 1, wards 1–4), the two‑thirds vote requirement was met and the roll‑forward resolution passed 6–3.
The board noted that some districts that elected to “stay at the adjusted rate” will not roll forward, and staff will implement the levies in accordance with state law and the assessor’s certified roll.
Next steps: the assessor will extend the adopted millage on the 2024 assessment roll and the tax collector will collect and remit funds as required by law.
