LAPLACE – St. John Parish Council members on Tuesday approved a resolution calling for a special election for renewal of a 1-mill tax that pays for the housing of juvenile offenders.

The tax, which is levied for 20 years, brought in about $280,000 in 2009, said Acting Chief Administrative Officer Buddy Boe. He said the parish is expecting to net about $350,000 in 2010. The millage is set to expire at the end of this year.

Hugh Martin, St. John Parish’s bond attorney, said a majority of the money brought in by the tax goes toward housing juvenile offenders at the St. James Parish Juvenile Detention Center or other juvenile detention centers across the area. St. John Parish does not have a facility to house juvenile offenders.

The millage renewal is scheduled to go to the polls on March 27, the same day residents will vote in a special election to replace former Parish President Bill Hubbard.

In other action from Tuesday’s meeting, the council approved authorization for design services in connection with recreational facilities on the east and west banks of the parish. Plans call for construction of an airnasium, or open-air basketball court at the West Bank Park Complex and a gymnasium for the Regala Park area on the east bank in Reserve.