Plan allows bodies to increase revenue without public vote
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AMITE — The Tangipahoa Parish Council introduced an ordinance Monday that would allow taxing bodies in the parish to collect more revenue without a vote of the public.
Every four years, the parish tax assessor must reassess all property in the parish.
If the newer assessments are higher, as is usually the case, the taxing bodies must adjust — or roll back — their property-tax rates in order to collect the same amount of money as the previous year, parish Assistant Finance Director Jeff McKneely said.
The government agencies, however, have the option to “roll forward” the millages at the same rate as passed by the voters — and thus collect more revenue. Taxing bodies cannot set the millage rates any higher than the rate approved by voters, McKneely said.
When a taxing body rolls the millage forward at the same rate as the year prior to the reassessment, taxpayers whose properties are assessed at a higher value pay more in taxes.
The council will hold a public hearing and vote Aug. 11 to set the property-tax rates.
McKneely said the parish typically rolls forward the millages to keep tax revenue in line with inflation.
The council plans to roll forward the following property-tax millages:
That tax revenue goes toward maintenance of road lighting, but McKneely said those districts do not need additional revenue through a roll-forward of property tax rates.
Every four years, the parish tax assessor must reassess all property in the parish.
If the newer assessments are higher, as is usually the case, the taxing bodies must adjust — or roll back — their property-tax rates in order to collect the same amount of money as the previous year, parish Assistant Finance Director Jeff McKneely said.
The government agencies, however, have the option to “roll forward” the millages at the same rate as passed by the voters — and thus collect more revenue. Taxing bodies cannot set the millage rates any higher than the rate approved by voters, McKneely said.
When a taxing body rolls the millage forward at the same rate as the year prior to the reassessment, taxpayers whose properties are assessed at a higher value pay more in taxes.
The council will hold a public hearing and vote Aug. 11 to set the property-tax rates.
McKneely said the parish typically rolls forward the millages to keep tax revenue in line with inflation.
The council plans to roll forward the following property-tax millages:
- 1.53-mill alimony tax in the municipal limits of Amite, Independence, Kentwood, Ponchatoula and Hammond.
- 3.06-mill alimony tax in unincorporated areas and other municipalities.
- 3-mill and 2.81-mill library maintenance taxes.
- 4-mill health-unit maintenance tax.
- 10-mill Garbage District No. 1 maintenance tax.
- 2-mill Road Lighting District No. 1 tax.
- 15-mill Road Lighting District No. 3 tax.
- 15-mill Road Lighting District No. 5 tax.
- 10-mill Road Lighting District No. 7 tax.
- Two 10-mill taxes for Tangipahoa Parish Fire Protection District No. 2.
That tax revenue goes toward maintenance of road lighting, but McKneely said those districts do not need additional revenue through a roll-forward of property tax rates.
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