Calcasieu Parish Police Jury adopts 2026 millage ordinances, approves small cuts to mosquito and library levies

The Calcasieu Parish Police Jury on July 2 adopted ordinances to levy ad valorem general-purpose and maintenance tax millages for 2026, and approved two small reductions to dedicated levies aimed at keeping tax rates from being rolled forward.

During discussion of Item 1B, county finance staff recommended two 0.3-mill reductions — one from the mosquito control tax and one from the parish library tax — as financially feasible while maintaining current service levels. “To the credit of this governing body, you have historically chosen not to roll forward millage rates for years to generate additional tax revenues,” finance staff member Mr. Boland told the jury, adding that the reductions were evaluated and recommended by staff.

The motions to adopt the general-purpose and maintenance millage ordinances passed without recorded objection. Item 1A (general-purpose millages) was moved by Mr. Barras and seconded by Mr. Marcantel. Item 1B (maintenance millages, including the 0.3-mill reductions) was moved by Mr. Andrepont and seconded by Mr. Barras.

Why it matters: Millage rates determine the property tax levy applied to assessed values in Calcasieu Parish and fund core services and special districts. Reductions to dedicated millages such as mosquito control and the parish library lower the tax burden for property owners in those districts, but officials said staff believes the changes will not reduce current service levels.

What happened next: The jury moved on to other agenda items, including routine resolutions, contracts and appointments. No formal requests were recorded to revisit the millage rates at this meeting.

The Police Jury is the governing body for Calcasieu Parish; the ordinances adopted set the ad valorem levy for the 2026 tax year.