Small voter turn out passes three propositions in St. James Parish

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, May 16, 2007

By BEN LUNDIN

Staff Reporter

ST. JAMES PARISH – Less than 10% of St. James Parish residents went to the polls for a special election on Saturday and passed three propositions by an overwhelming majority.

Voters passed two 10-year property tax renewals intended to assist St. James Parish schools by an 85% majority and a $1.7 million property tax to construct a new multipurpose recreational facility in Welcome Park with a 90% majority.

The two renewals will not affect homeowners’ current property tax, but the new tax will raise residents’ taxes to generate $1.7 million over the course of the next 20 years. The additional cost to residents will not be calculated until sometime next year, according to St. James Parish District Five Councilman Charles Ketchens.

The new multipurpose building’s design is not yet finalized, but should be roughly 11,000 square feet and feature a gym, several basketball courts surrounded by bleachers, concession areas, a kitchen and a training room complete with computers available to kids and adults of all ages.

The facility will be surrounded by the already existing playground and pavilion in Welcome Park.

&#8220It was my goal to get this building to keep the kids out of the heat in the summer. I have a six week summer camp every year in the park and right around July it gets real hot and this would take them out of the heat,” Ketchens said. &#8220This will be a closed up building with the works. It’s going to be a beautiful building.”

Of the 441 district five residents who voted on the propositions 397 were in favor, according to the Louisiana Secretary of State.

The renewals, proposition one and two, are a nine mill and three mill tax expected to generate $2,345,051 and $781,690, respectively. Funds from the first proposition will be used for employee salaries and benefits and the second will generate income for the board’s kindergarten instructional program.

The first proposition passed with 1,265 in favor out of 1483 voters and the second passed with 1,248 approving out of 1467 voters.

Homeowner’s current property taxes will not be affected by either proposition because the millage taxes are already in place.

The millage taxes are calculated by exempting the first $75,000 of a home’s fair market value then assessing a 10% tax to the remaining property value. For example, homeowners with a house valued at $100,000 will pay $7.50 per year for the 3 mill tax and $22.50 for the 9 mill tax.