By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

VACHERIE – The St. James Parish Council on Wednesday voted in favor of lowering parish millage rates for 2010, which will lead to an average savings of about $100 for property owners.

Parish President Dale Hymel said the millage rate of 40.94 for 2009 would be lowered to 40.85 for 2010. He said the taxes are scheduled to generate about $48 million this year, which is roughly $35,000 less than in 2009.

Hymel explained the parish council is responsible for collecting about 36 percent of the parish’s property taxes. He said the overall millage rate across all taxing bodies is 104.30.

Hymel said taxes the parish collects goes toward funding for maintenance and improvements to the courthouse, roads and the hospital. It also helps pay for drainage projects, the fire department and emergency medical services.

Hymel said the savings to the residents would likely show up toward the end of the year.

In another action, the council approved acceptance of a $71,000 grant from the State Department of Homeland Security for the purchase of equipment for a mutual aid task force for hazardous materials response. Hymel said St. James is one of six parishes in the area that will be served by the task force. Other parishes include Terrebonne, Lafourche, Assumption, St. Charles and St. John.

“The group will assist parish officials in hazardous materials cleanup in the event of an emergency at one of the industrial plants,” Hymel said.

The council also appointed Barriere Construction as the contractor for the parish’s 2010 roadway improvements program. The Metairie firm is responsible for about $536,000 worth of repairs to 13 streets in St. James Parish. Hymel said work could begin as soon as next week.