Ouachita Parish adopts 2026 revenue ordinance, levies multiple millages and district charges

The Ouachita Parish Police Jury adopted Ordinance No. 9553 on July 20, 2026, establishing the parish’s 2026 revenue measures including multiple ad valorem millages and district service charges. The ordinance passed on a roll-call vote of 4–0 (two members absent).

Ordinance No. 9553 sets millage rates including General Alimony outside municipalities at 4.14 mils (inside municipalities 2.07 mils), Public Library at 7.64 mils and a 9.20-mill levy for the Ouachita Correctional Center. The ordinance also lists per-parcel service charges for numerous Road Lighting Districts (examples: $25, $45, $130 and one district at $230). The document instructs the parish assessor to extend the taxes on the 2026 assessment roll and the tax collector to collect and remit the revenues in accordance with law.

The measure was introduced July 6, 2026 and advanced after a public hearing at which no members of the public spoke for or against the ordinance. The vote was recorded as YEAS: Mrs. Toni Bacon, Mr. Jimmy Tyson, Mr. Larry Bratton and Mr. Shane Smiley; ABSENT: Mr. Michael Thompson and Mr. Lonnie Hudson.

The ordinance text specifies the intended use of revenues "only for the specific purposes for which said taxes have been authorized and dedicated," and references Open Meetings Law compliance and statutory provisions required for adoption.

Next steps: the assessor will extend the levies on the 2026 assessment roll and the tax collector will collect the authorized revenues under existing law.