Mayor warns capital millage renewal may fail, urges community education campaign

The mayor told the Committee of the Whole that the city faces a markedly lower likelihood that a long‑standing capital ad valorem renewal would pass without a concerted, community‑led education effort. The mayor said renewals that were once reliably renewed are now vulnerable to defeat and urged council members to lead outreach with business, civic and faith leaders rather than relying solely on government messaging.

Why it matters: The mayor said the capital millage funds roughly half of the city’s capital program; if a renewal fails, “you’ll be changing a whole lot of things,” he said. He warned that without a successful renewal, the city would need to alter its five‑year capital plan and rely on limited one‑time transfers and fund balance to cover urgent infrastructure needs.

Examples and evidence: The mayor pointed to recent regional results in Lafayette, where two pure renewals — a 4.47‑mill road and bridge renewal and a 3.18‑mill public health services renewal — failed by large margins (61% and 52%, respectively). He also cited the recent passage of a separate regional renewal (the “Bre” tax) to show voters’ choices can vary and to demonstrate how much program funding is at stake; he said one recent passage preserved about $50 million in annual program funding.

Proposal and next steps: The mayor proposed a three‑part outreach approach: focused legislator‑led district meetings, small representative focus groups to help craft plain‑language messages, and then broader town halls led by community leaders. He asked council members for names of civic leaders to recruit and said staff would produce a timeline for outreach. The mayor emphasized any ballot measure should be a “clean renewal” so the ballot language and use of proceeds are consistent with state law restricting how voter‑approved capital dollars may be spent.

Quotes and attribution: “If you’re not for any taxes and you’re not for renewing any taxes, there is no means for government,” the mayor said, arguing that renewals are how local governments sustain capital programs. He later urged community‑led advocacy: “Without a positive community up message … there’s little chance you’ll even get a renewal.”

What wasn’t decided: Council did not vote on a renewal at this meeting; the mayor reiterated there was no renewal on the call and that the council must authorize placing any renewal on the ballot. The public comment period on the matter was scheduled for the next public meeting on April 8, 2025.

What happens next: Staff will circulate an outreach timeline and the mayor and council members plan to hold district meetings and focus groups before any decision about placing a renewal on a future ballot.