Even with the meager 15.4 percent turnout of St. Charles Parish voters last Saturday, Buddy Boe welcomed strong support – 3,889 to 1,344 – for the new 4-mill property tax for a hurricane protection levee.
“We probably spoke to 1,000 people over the last two months and, on election day, we had 5,234 votes,” said Boe, the parish’s chief administrative officer.
“We went straight to the people and informed them of this request. We had a plan, put it out there and answered the questions.”
Some 5,224 residents voted in the May 2 special election, according to the state Secretary of State. St. Charles Parish has 52,745 residents as of the U.S. Census 2014.But Boe is still aglow about the numbers and so is Parish President V.J. St. Pierre.
The measure will generate $4.8 million a year to fund an estimated $300 million in a west bank hurricane level for the “100-year storm.”
Per his administration’s plan, St. Pierre said construction projects and maintenance work would continue across the parish toward completing hurricane protection in the next 10 to 15 years.
“Not only will this provide flood protection for residents; it will also provide protection from astronomical flood insurance rates,” St. Pierre said.
Along with the levee tax, there were three other tax measures on the ballot and all passed.
Voters also supported (3,644 to 1,584) the parish’s 2.2-mill tax renewal for sewer upgrades and expansion. The tax will generate $2.6 million a year, also for 30 years. The current tax only allowed for bonds while Boe said the new measure allows for bonds and system upgrades.
“Construction will begin in earnest to improve our wastewater system in communities on both the east and west banks,” St. Pierre said.
Voters also strongly supported (3,539 to 1,681) a new tax for the ARC of St. Charles.
“The ARC is pleased to now have an official affiliation with St. Charles Parish created by the passage of the millage on May 2,” said Victoria Bryant, ARC executive director. “This connection to the community reflects the mission of the ARC to provide the services and supports to all citizens of St. Charles with a disability and/or special needs.”
Bryant said this means the ARC can maintain “a viable and sustainable agency without full dependence upon Medicaid. This means that we are not as vulnerable as it relates to budget cuts. I’m not saying that we will not have any financial issues because we know that there are many facets of changes coming down the line.”
Bryant said the organization is now in a position to determine how it wants to streamline services and transition programs into the community.
The 10-year property tax will generate $843,000 a year beginning this year to help pay operational costs for services to residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Passing 3,102 to 2,122, St. Charles Parish Public Schools’ $42 million bond issue includes a $35 million, 67,000 square-foot performing arts center in Luling.
“This bond issue will allow St. Charles Parish Public Schools to continue improvement in providing the safest, most secure campuses and to maintain our competitive edge by constructing a state-of-the-art performing arts center,” said Superintendent Felecia Gomez-Walker.
“This is made possible through the continued support of our community. We are excited to begin these projects and look forward to the future of enhancing and expanding educational opportunities for our students and the community of St. Charles Parish.”
In addition to the arts center, the bond issue will cover $4 million in renovations at Lakewood Elementary School in Luling and Albert Cammon Middle School in St. Rose, and $1.6 million to upgrade lighting at elementary schools throughout the parish.
Another $850,000 will go to safety improvements, including installation of an electronic system to manage school visitors by scanning driver’s licenses to run the information against the national sex offender registry and make visitor passes with photographs, as well as keep an electronic log of school visits.
Money also would be dedicated to doubling 440 cameras in the system.
The 20-year general obligation loan would be repaid with revenue generated from existing property taxes of up to 5.86 mills.
Overall, St. Charles Parish residents pay 112.88 mills tax on the East Bank and 113.29 mills on the West Bank. The taxes are dedicated to public schools, the Sheriff’s Office and two levee districts.
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