The Louisiana State Bond Commission gave approval for 21 cities, parishes and other municipal entities to hold elections in November that would increase taxes to fund infrastructure projects.
The tax increase could support bond issuance, said Jeff Crouere, communications director for the Office of State Treasurer John Fleming. The commission would have to approve the communities' bond issuance, as it does for all debt in the state.
Only one of the entities, Zachary Community School Board in East Baton Rouge Parish, explicitly said the tax increase would be used to support bonds. If approved, the 20-year increase in the property tax rate would help fund building elementary and secondary schools.
The other entities gaining approval for holding a Nov. 15 election were: the city of Oakdale; West Ascension Consolidated Gravity Drainage District No. 1; Calcasieu Parish Fire Protection District No. 1, Ward 1; Cameron Parish Gravity Drainage District No. 16; Lower Cameron Hospital Service District; Jefferson Davis Parish Police Jury; Jefferson Davis Parish School Board; John K. Kelly Grand Bayou Reservoir District; four road districts in Sabine Parish Police Jury; St. Landry Parish Fire Protection District No. 3; St. Tammany Parish Fire Protection District No. 7; three road lighting districts in Tangipahoa Parish Council and the parish council separately; Union Parish Hospital Service District No. 1; and Port Allen; and West Baton Rouge Parish School Board Parishwide School District No. 3.
All of the entities except two will be seeking property tax hikes. The Jefferson Davis Parish Police Jury and School Board will seek sales tax hikes.
In Louisiana, parishes serve similar roles to other states' counties.
The bond commission approved the elections at Thursday's meeting along
