Council gives property owners tax break

The St. Charles Parish Council agreed with residents and decided to roll back millage rates. That made some taxing districts unhappy, some concerned and some indifferent.

Residents showed up at a recent council meeting with  petitions in hand and requested that surplus money the parish was entitled to be given back to the property owners in the parish.

Councilwoman Carolyn Schexnaydre said she was concerned for the citizens.

“The taxing districts asking for the additional surplus money should learn to live within their budget, just like residents have had to do since major changes have occurred in the economy,” she said.

One of those important taxing districts, the public library system, won't be receiving surplus funds.

Library Director Mary deBordes did her best to convince the council that the money would be needed to assist in the staffing of personnel at the future East Bank Regional Library.

She also told the residents in the parish that taxes on a $200,000 home would only increase by $1.38.

Schexnaydre concluded her comments by stating  that a $9 million library in St. Charles Parish is a waste of  taxpayer money when so many other important issues, like drainage, sewer problems and hurricane protection are on the forefront of residents’ minds.

Council Chairman Dennis Nuss explained that by not rolling the millage forward, $414,000 would be used to offset the cost of property taxes and give relief to homeowners, business owners and parish industry.  He also noted that the budgets of those taxing districts will be the same as last year. No one will lose anything.