The St. James Parish Council set Nov. 4 as the date for an election on a 1% sales tax increase that would fund a $177 million project to build sewer systems in the parish’s unincorporated areas.
The tax is expected to generate $4.1 million a year to support bonds for the project.
The plan calls for two treatment facilities on the east bank of the Mississippi for $69.6 million, and three facilities on the west bank at an estimated $107.5 million.
The tax will be collected in two incorporated areas with existing systems, but those revenues do not have to be spent on their sewer systems. The towns can use 75% of the revenue to support additional bonds for roads or water systems.
Gramercy will receive approximately $594,000 a year from the additional tax, and Lutcher will receive slightly more than $188,000. If the towns do not issue debt supported by the revenues, the money can go into their general funds.
The parish’s general obligation debt is rated A3 by Moody’s Investors Service.