Mosquito abatement district draws interest
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AMITE — Four central and northern Tangipahoa Parish municipalities have expressed interest in an expanded mosquito abatement district, according to a recent survey.
Independence, Tickfaw, Roseland and the village of Tangipahoa have indicated interest in being on the April 4 ballot to become part of the mosquito abatement district, parish officials said during a council meeting Monday.
But Kentwood and Amite are not interested because they already do their own abatement, parish officials said.
The Parish Council recently completed a survey of communities about the proposed expansion, but details remain to be worked out before a proposal is presented to voters. Among the details are how the district would be structured and the taxes.
Councilman Tom Tolar, who said Kentwood officials adamantly oppose the district, raised another question.
Tolar said a problem is going to be the spraying in rural areas, which will not have the tax base to support the level of service seen in municipalities.
The parish has one district that extends from Lake Pontchartrain to La. 442 near Tickfaw. The district encompasses the parish’s two largest communities, Hammond and Ponchatoula.
Councilman Bobby Cortez said the current district has a 5-mill property tax and he speculated that providing the same level of service to an expanded district could take between 20 mills and 30 mills.
Parish Council Chairman Carlo Bruno said he would like some council members to meet with mosquito abatement district officials and see what they say. “We’re going to have to look at it,” he said.
Cortez suggested the parish create a separate district.
Parish government spokesman Jeff McKneely told council members that if the district were expanded, voters in the existing district and those in the proposed expansion must vote on the ballot measure.
In other business, the council introduced an ordinance that would allow Lakeshore Veterinary Hospital and Pet Lodge, Inc. to offer spaying and neutering from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays in the parking lot of the parish animal control facility, 15487 Club Deluxe Road, Hammond.
Animal Control Director Chip Fitz said his office has no current plans to offer similar services. The council is expected to consider the ordinance Jan. 26 with a public hearing set to begin at 5:30 p.m.
Independence, Tickfaw, Roseland and the village of Tangipahoa have indicated interest in being on the April 4 ballot to become part of the mosquito abatement district, parish officials said during a council meeting Monday.
But Kentwood and Amite are not interested because they already do their own abatement, parish officials said.
The Parish Council recently completed a survey of communities about the proposed expansion, but details remain to be worked out before a proposal is presented to voters. Among the details are how the district would be structured and the taxes.
Councilman Tom Tolar, who said Kentwood officials adamantly oppose the district, raised another question.
Tolar said a problem is going to be the spraying in rural areas, which will not have the tax base to support the level of service seen in municipalities.
The parish has one district that extends from Lake Pontchartrain to La. 442 near Tickfaw. The district encompasses the parish’s two largest communities, Hammond and Ponchatoula.
Councilman Bobby Cortez said the current district has a 5-mill property tax and he speculated that providing the same level of service to an expanded district could take between 20 mills and 30 mills.
Parish Council Chairman Carlo Bruno said he would like some council members to meet with mosquito abatement district officials and see what they say. “We’re going to have to look at it,” he said.
Cortez suggested the parish create a separate district.
Parish government spokesman Jeff McKneely told council members that if the district were expanded, voters in the existing district and those in the proposed expansion must vote on the ballot measure.
In other business, the council introduced an ordinance that would allow Lakeshore Veterinary Hospital and Pet Lodge, Inc. to offer spaying and neutering from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays in the parking lot of the parish animal control facility, 15487 Club Deluxe Road, Hammond.
Animal Control Director Chip Fitz said his office has no current plans to offer similar services. The council is expected to consider the ordinance Jan. 26 with a public hearing set to begin at 5:30 p.m.
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