Ascension Parish, La., may ask voters in November to approve an increase in the parish sales tax to support $80 million of revenue bonds for road projects.
Parish President Tommy Martinez said he will ask the council next month to set a Nov. 6 election on the 0.5% sales tax increase. The election must be approved by the Parish Council no later than July 18 to be considered by the Louisiana State Bond Commission in August.
The tax increase would generate $8 million a year, Martinez said.
The parish is conducting public hearings to determine the scope of the road improvement plan and to discuss the proposal with voters.
“We want the public to be as informed as possible about the road program we are proposing,” Martinez said.
The tax would be levied only in unincorporated areas of the parish, which includes the towns of Gonzales, Donaldsonville and Sorrento.
Ascension Parish currently has no rated debt.
