Iberia Parish leaders urge voters to back reduced library millage on March 29 ballot

Library officials and the parish president asked the council to help publicize a reduced renewal millage that will appear on the March 29 ballot.

"We are back on the ballot," Library Director Miss Hill told the Iberia Parish Council on March 12, stressing the measure is a reduced renewal rather than a new tax. She said the proposal would lower the rate the library previously had (from 6 mills to 4.5 mills) and urged residents to vote.

Parish President Richard provided budgeting context and an estimate of local impacts. He said the library’s current annual budget is about $2,500,000 and the proposed 4.5 mills would bring in about $2,600,000. He also said the library’s fund balance is roughly $3,300,000 and, "If this thing don't pass, they have until March 2026 and we have absolutely nothing for the library," underscoring the risk to operations without renewal. Richard gave examples of household cost, saying a $100,000 home would pay roughly $11.25 a year (about 94¢ a month) and a $200,000 home about $56.25 (about $4.69 a month).

Council members and staff clarified voting logistics and outreach. President Richard and others noted early voting windows and town-hall events the library and other parish staff are holding. Miss Hill said the library-led event "Beyond Books" and other outreach are intended to explain the renewal and encourage turnout.

The council did not take a formal vote on the millage itself at the meeting; officials framed the presentation as informational and urged council members to share details and assist with public outreach.

What's next: the millage is scheduled for the March 29 ballot; library and parish officials plan town-hall meetings and social-media outreach in the weeks before the election.