The Acadia-St. Landry Hospital quest to hold a 10-mill tax election to build a new facility was blocked at least temporarily by the Acadia Parish Police Jury.
Cindy Walters, hospital CEO, requested the Police Jury approval to place the tax proposal on the May 9 ballot, but it was tabled.
Administrative staff warned that, in order for the proposition to appear on the May 9 ballot, certain criteria, including publication of the call in the parish’s official journal, had to be done by Feb. 28.
The St. Landry Parish Council’s Finance Committee approved placement of the tax proposal on the ballot. The ballot proposal is on the Council’s agenda for Wednesday. Walters also is on the agenda to address the Parish Council.
At the Acadia Parish Police Jury meeting, Walters explained that the 10 mill being requested included the renewal of an existing 7.64-mill tax with an additional 2.36.
But Juror A.J. “Jay” Credeur recommended that, instead of asking voters to approve a single 10-mill tax, the hospital district present the proposal in two parts — the renewal of the existing tax and the additional tax needed for the new hospital.
“We have to protect the hospital as it is and where it is for the people of the district,” Credeur explained. “Voters are most likely going to support and pass the renewal and, if they want to support the tax for the new hospital, it will be right below the renewal to vote on.”
Credeur said he had expressed that sentiment to Walters two weeks ago when he and fellow juror Pat Daigle (who was not present for Tuesday night’s meeting) met with Walters, Rep. Phillip DeVillier and Sen. Bob Hensgens.
But Walters contended that Jason Akers, bonding attorney with Foley and Judell, had recommended combining the two into a single proposition.
She reminded that “the current millage doesn’t expire until 2022,” giving the district time to set another renewal election should the May 9 proposition fail.
Credeur said he would not vote in favor of calling the election if it remains a 10-mill proposition and added that he “would feel a lot better if Mr. Daigle was here.”
Daigle’s district encompasses a large portion of the hospital service district.
Jury President Chance Henry said he would not be opposed to calling a special meeting if need be.
Walters said she would meet with Credeur and Daigle to discuss the matter.
The 52-year-old hospital is licensed for 30 beds offering inpatient services, a swing-bed program, behavioral health program, diagnostics, six physicians on staff, respiratory and rehabilitation therapy, ground and air transport and an emergency room with an average 5-minute wait, Walters told the Crowley Rotary Club recently.
Current plans are to locate a new facility at 9600 Highway 35, 11 miles from the Rayne Interstate 10 exit. The 17-acre tract is already owned by the hospital.
The new hospital will be 70,000 square feet, twice the size of the current 35,000-square-foot building.
Estimated cost for the total project is $35 million and the projected completion date is 2022.
Funds for the project include a combination of a $24 million USDA loan; $5 million in new market tax credits; $2.12 million local bank loan; and $3.75 million community investment of 10 mills for 10 years.
The community investment increases the likelihood of receiving a USDA loan, according to Walters.
Those included in the millage vote include some precincts in Acadia Parish Wards 6 and 7 and precincts in St. Landry Parish Wards 8 and 11.
“We are planning on transforming health care for the community with this new hospital,” Walters said.
