By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

VACHERIE – St. James Parish President Dale Hymel introduced an ordinance to the Parish Council Wednesday that would create a tax break on the sale or lease of manufacturing machinery and equipment for the pending Nucor iron-manufacturing project.

Hymel said the ordinance only exempts Nucor from the parish’s portion of the one-cent sales tax within the parish, but he said the school board is drafting a similar measure to waive their share as well.

Hymel said the ordinance, if approved, would mean that Nucor would be off the hook for about $2.2 million during the construction phase of its $750 million direct reduced iron facility and $180,000 during the operations phase. He said the company would still be responsible for about $2.1 million in taxes during construction and about $160,000 during operations.

The council will hold a public hearing on the ordinance at the next meeting, which is scheduled for Dec. 1 in Convent. The council will vote on the ordinance following the hearing.

In other action, the council approved a small amendment to Hymel’s proposed 2011 budget. The amendment adjusts revenues from $46.7 million to $51.7 million and expenditures from $53.3 million to $51.8 million. The council is expected to hold another meeting on the budget before a final vote.

The council also commended the St. James Junior High football team for completing a 7-0 season and winning the championship.