Harlan Kirgan
Eunice aldermen will be asked to vote on a public hearing about a “roll forward” of the 2017 property tax millage rates.
That tax question is one of several items placed on the agenda for the 6:30 p.m. Tuesday meeting of the Board of Aldermen at the Eunice Municipal Complex, 300 S. 2nd St.
In 2016, the city had to roll back its millage rates to 6.59 for general alimony and 4.87 for street maintenance. The roll forward rates would be 6.77 for general alimony and 5 for street maintenance.
Ginny Moody, city clerk, at Thursday’s meeting to begin setting the agenda, said, “They did reassessment last year and brought the mills down so that it kind of balanced out. We got the same money that we did in previous years, but this year we are allowed to roll back up.”
The city would collect $29,943 in Acadia Parish and $720,497 in St. Landry Parish.
The additional millage will raise an additional $788 in the Acadia Parish portion of the city and $18,975 in the St. Landry Parish area.
The hearing is to be held at 6:15 p.m. May 9 at the Eunice Municipal Complex.
Aldermen will be asked to amend the city’s noise ordinance to make an exception for city-sponsored events.
Mayor Scott Fontenot said, “We just had Mardi Gras where our noise probably exceeded the provision here. So, I would like us to add a provision saying that if it is an official city-sponsored event, whether is the Experience Louisiana Festival we co-sponsor, the crawfish cook-off or Mardi Gras that there an exception to this law.”
Vernon McManus, city attorney, was asked to review the city’s noise ordinance.
Jack Burson, alderman at-large, cautioned that the exceptions would not invalidate the noise ordinance.
“Those of us who live in residential neighborhoods want to make sure our old people like me don’t get disturbed when they are trying to go to sleep at night,” he said.
“I get the mayor’s point. Obviously we’ve got to have an exception for Mardi Gras ...,” he said.
Burson also asked McManus to research the city’s ability to collect sales taxes on internet sales.
Alderman Dale Soileau asked that the mayor talk withe Robert Johnson, recreation department director, about rules for the Children’s Mardi Gras Parade. Soileau said 3-feet sides on trailers should be required and there should be ban on anyone riding between a vehicle and the trailer.
And, a ban on alcohol should be enforced, he said.
Other items on the agenda, as of Friday, include:
— Request for a liquor license for Dollar General, 2420 W. Laurel Ave.
— Announce the World Championship Crawfish Etouffee Cook-off.
— Hear a litter report from Donna Baltakis, Keep Eunice Beautiful director.
— Resolution to support legislation authorizing the Board of Aldermen to designate the chief of police as the appointing authority in matters of hiring and firing.