Ouachita Parish Police Jury adopts adjusted millage rates and 2024 revenue schedule

The Ouachita Parish Police Jury adopted ordinances on Sept. 3 setting adjusted millage rates following the parish reappraisal and establishing the 2024 revenue levies and district service charges.

Ordinance No. 9497, introduced by Mrs. Toni Bacon, lists adjusted rates for several parish levies, including General Alimony (outside municipalities) at 4.01 mils, Public Library at 7.42 mils, Health Unit/Animal Control at 1.70 mils, Mosquito Abatement at 1.91 mils, Juvenile Detention Center at 2.82 mils, Ouachita Correctional Center at 8.93 mils, Road Lighting District No. 1 at 5.00 mils and Fire Protection District No. 1 at 18.55 mils. The ordinance directs the parish assessor to extend these levies on the 2024 assessment roll in accordance with state law.

The Jury also adopted Ordinance No. 9498, the 2024 Revenue Law, which specifies the 2024 levy amounts and itemizes annual service charges for numerous Road Lighting Districts and other assessments (examples include Road Lighting District No. 10 at $230.00 and District No. 39 at $120.00). The ordinance states the revenues will be used only for the specific purposes for which each tax or charge has been levied.

Officials said the measures implement required adjustments tied to the statewide reappraisal process and conform to La. R.S. 47:1705 and constitutional provisions governing millage adjustments. The ordinances were presented and adopted during a regular meeting of the Ouachita Parish Police Jury. The assessor and tax collector were directed to carry out collection and remittance in accordance with law.

The ordinances take effect under the timelines specified in the texts and the Jury recorded formal adoption during the Sept. 3 session.