INDReporter

Council puts parks-rec millage increase to public vote

by Leslie Turk

Voters in the city of Lafayette will decide early next year whether to triple the property tax they pay for parks and recreational facilities and programs.

On April 6 voters in the city of Lafayette will decide whether to increase the current 1.92-mill property tax that funds parks and recreational facilities and programs to 7 mills.

The City-Parish Council approved by a 5-3 vote Tuesday a resolution to call a special election to consider the measure. The council's vote followed a recommendation by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission. Those voting in favor of putting the measure to a public vote were Jared Bellard, Don Bertrand, Kenneth Boudreaux, Jay Castille and Brandon Shelvin. Opposed were Andy Naquin, Keith Patin and William Theriot (Andy Naquin was absent).

According to The Advocate, Parks and Recreation Director Gerald Boudreaux said the increase is not for new projects or programs but rather to eliminate the annual subsidy that comes from other areas of the city-parish general fund to support his department:

That subsidy has come under increased scrutiny as city-parish officials have struggled in recent years to cover other government expenses.
"We are going to have to close facilities and curtail programs," Boudreaux said. "Without the subsidy, we can't operate."

Read The Advocate story here and click here for IND Monthly Managing Editor Walter Pierce's column about how our readers responded to an online (and yes, unscientific) survey about the proposed tax increase.