Police jurors OK funding for site
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ST. FRANCISVILLE — West Feliciana Parish police jurors voted 4-3 Tuesday to borrow $340,000 in 10 years to buy a treatment plant site for a sewer system in the Independence area.
Jurors Randy Stevens, Ken Dawson, John Roach and jury President Billy Shoemake voted to borrow the money at a net interest rate of 3.4 percent from Hancock Bank and the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority, pledging surplus revenue of about $40,000 per year for 10 years to retire the debt.
Jurors Otis Wilson, Lea Reid Williams and John Cobb voted against borrowing the money and last month opposed a proposal to buy about 19 acres at $18,000 per acre from Ray Dreher.
Wilson, Williams and Cobb wanted to buy 4 acres from Lula London for the plant.
Wilson also questioned the need for Tuesday’s meeting, asking if the jury was trying to hide something from the public.
“I don’t think anyone anticipated spending $340,000 for 10 years,” Cobb said of the land purchase.
The loan goes before the state Bond Commission for approval on today.
On another matter, the jury agreed to apply for a $15,000 grant from the state Local Government Assistance Program to apply toward the purchase price of a 16-passenger van for the School Board.
Parish Assessor Randy Ritchie also told jurors his office is accepting tax assessment relief requests through Dec. 30 from property owners who suffered major structural damage to their homes or businesses during Hurricane Gustav.
“It has to be pretty significant structural damage” to qualify for a lower property assessment, Ritchie said.
Property owners should present proof of the damage, including photographs, insurance adjusters’ reports, insurance payments or contractors’ bids or estimates, he said.
Jurors Randy Stevens, Ken Dawson, John Roach and jury President Billy Shoemake voted to borrow the money at a net interest rate of 3.4 percent from Hancock Bank and the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority, pledging surplus revenue of about $40,000 per year for 10 years to retire the debt.
Jurors Otis Wilson, Lea Reid Williams and John Cobb voted against borrowing the money and last month opposed a proposal to buy about 19 acres at $18,000 per acre from Ray Dreher.
Wilson, Williams and Cobb wanted to buy 4 acres from Lula London for the plant.
Wilson also questioned the need for Tuesday’s meeting, asking if the jury was trying to hide something from the public.
“I don’t think anyone anticipated spending $340,000 for 10 years,” Cobb said of the land purchase.
The loan goes before the state Bond Commission for approval on today.
On another matter, the jury agreed to apply for a $15,000 grant from the state Local Government Assistance Program to apply toward the purchase price of a 16-passenger van for the School Board.
Parish Assessor Randy Ritchie also told jurors his office is accepting tax assessment relief requests through Dec. 30 from property owners who suffered major structural damage to their homes or businesses during Hurricane Gustav.
“It has to be pretty significant structural damage” to qualify for a lower property assessment, Ritchie said.
Property owners should present proof of the damage, including photographs, insurance adjusters’ reports, insurance payments or contractors’ bids or estimates, he said.
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