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Tax assessor provides millage scenarios as jury considers combining ambulance, fire and drainage districts
Summary
The tax assessor presented 2024 collections and projections showing how millage rates required to raise a fixed revenue would decline as property values climb; jurors emphasized that any consolidation of districts would require additional study and a public vote.
The Cameron Parish Police Jury heard a tax assessor briefing on Sept. 2 that compared combined 2024 tax collections for ambulance, fire and gravity drainage districts and modeled how millage requirements would change over time as property values shift.
The assessor said combined ambulance district collections in 2024 amounted to roughly $6,400,000 and that, under 2024 values, collecting that same amount would have required about 12.25 mills; projected values for 2027 and 2029 would reduce the mills required to 5.7 and 4.25 respectively, the assessor said. Comparable examples were given for fire districts (2024 collections about $3,900,000) and gravity drainage districts (2024 collections about $2,500,000).
Why it matters: Jurors and district representatives noted that reduced millage does not necessarily mean less revenue for districts if assessed property values increase, but they cautioned that some special districts currently need higher millage to meet immediate equipment and maintenance needs. Jurors stressed that any consolidation would require professional feasibility studies, input from affected boards and a public vote.
Next steps: County staff said a professional proposal and additional analysis will be prepared and that the jury will not change district taxes without the affected districts' input and voter approval. Jurors discussed meeting individually with district boards to assess structural and licensure implications for services such as ambulance operations.
