Harlan Kirgan
Eunice aldermen voted to roll forward two millage rates — one for streets and the other for the general fund — at a meeting Tuesday.
The millage rates were among ordinances presented at a public hearing prior to the Board of Aldermen meeting at City Hall.
The general alimony property tax millage will increase from 6.59 to 6.77 mills this year. The general alimony tax is set by the state constitution and is not subject to a vote.
The maximum general alimony millage is 7 mills, but the city falls short of that because the city failed to do a roll forward move sometime in the past.
After a reassessment in which valuations increase, the millage is adjusted to collect about the same amount of revenue as before the assessment increase.
Aldermen also approved rolling forward a 4.87 mill property tax for streets to 5 mills.
In Acadia Parish, the estimated collection with the new millage is $29,943, an increase of about $788.
In St. Landry Parish the new millages will total $720,497, which is about a $18,976 increase.
A noise ordinance also passed Tuesday that bans noise from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Friday and Saturday; and from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. Sunday through Thursday. The amendment also exempts events sponsored by the city such as Mardi Gras, Experience Louisiana Festival, Crawfish Etouffeé Cook-off and city or school sporting events.
Aldermen approved replacing an industrial development ordinance with one that establishes an economic development committee.
Mayor Scott Fontenot is to name a 12-member committee to be approved by the Board of Aldermen.
The committee is to be charged with advising and making recommendations to the mayor and board on matters related to economic development.
The committee may be responsible for managing one or more economic development programs and budgets authorized by the mayor and board.
Goals and priorities listed in the ordinance include diversifying the local tax base, creating local jobs, providing citizens and visitors with local services and improving the overall quality of life.
“Galvanizing and strengthening local businesses will be a priority, followed by attracting complementary businesses that will enhance the commercial center and maintain the rural character of the town,” the ordinance states.
Among the committee’s duties will be to work with businesses seeking economic development assistance and tax increment financing.
Membership may include representatives from industrial business, retail business, technology business, downtown business owner, banking or financial professional, farming-agricultural, LSUE, attorney-law professional, real estate and chamber of commerce.
The members are to serve four-year terms, which expire at the same time as the terms of the mayor and board positions.
The committee is to meet at least four times a year and a quorum is 50 percent of the members.
Aldermen heard a proposal for a program for a utility service line warranty program endorsed by the National League of Cities.
Dennis Lyons with Utility Service Partners Inc. presented the program, which offers a warranty on homeowners’ water and sewer line, and inside plumbing.
Aldermen tabled the proposal.
Aldermen also tabled a proposal by Police Chief Randy Fontenot to create a jail superintendent position until the city’s accountant determines the cost.
Fontenot said the jail superintendent would manage the jail, but would not add a position to the police department.
The position would be the equivalent of a sergeant with a starting pay of $10.96 an hour, he said.
The pay prompted Jack Burson, alderman at-large, to comment the biggest issue with the police department is its pay is too little and he added other city employees into that assessment.
Aldermen also requested the administration contact the parish sales tax office to request collection of sales taxes on Amazon online sales.
The Louisiana Municipal Association reported Amazon, an online retailer, is volunteering to collect sales taxes.