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Resident tells Lafourche Council he sued assessor after homestead exemption removal and sharp tax increase
Summary
Robert Terrio told the council his homestead exemption was permanently removed, that taxes on his property rose from $223 to $1,900 annually, and that he has sued the assessor; he compared Lafourche parish millages to neighboring Terrebonne.
At the public‑comment portion of the Lafourche Parish Council meeting on Aug. 26, resident Robert Terrio addressed council members about what he described as high local taxes and an adverse assessor decision.
Terrio said his property in Golden Meadow faces millage rates he characterized as among the highest in the parish: he cited 139 mills outside city limits, 137 mills inside city limits, and an additional 21.8 city mills for a combined 159.6 mills. Comparing Lafourche to neighboring Terrebonne Parish, he said Terrebonne’s millage is about 90 mills where he also owns property.
Terrio said the assessor’s office permanently removed his homestead exemption and "doubling of home value" led to an increase in his taxes from $223 to $1,900 per year. "That's the reason I had to sue," he said, describing efforts to settle the case prior to litigation and saying appeals to the Board of Review were rejected.
He urged the council to consider the practical effect on residents on fixed incomes and asked officials to examine tax increases carefully.
The council acknowledged his comments during the public‑comment period; no immediate council action was recorded on the matter during the meeting.
