A proposal to levy a 1.75 mills, 10-year property tax that would generate funds to operate the St. Martin Council on Aging failed to gain approval in light voting last Saturday.
The proposal, which would have generated about $680,000 per year, was voted down by a 1,838 to 1,685 vote margin. The turnout was less than 10 percent of the parish’s 36,928 registered voters.
The tax proceeds would have more than doubled the COA’s current budget of $458,000 to just over $1 million, enabling the agency to expand its services to the elderly and to the Lower St. Martin communities of Stephensville and Belle River.
Janet Lasseigne, chairman of the COA’s volunteer board, said “I am disappointed and broken hearted about the outcome. We were hoping that the millage would pass so we could do and help more of our Senior Citizens of all the parish.”
In a statement released Tuesday, COA Director Shanese Lewis added “On behalf of the St. Martin Council on Aging, I would like to thank everyone who believed in the mission of the agency to “Make Everyday a Better Day” for the seniors of St. Martin Parish. Your overwhelming support at the polls was greatly appreciated! Although the millage failed to pass, we are eternally grateful for all of your efforts to help us move forward toward accomplishing our goals. We will continue to provide services with excellence and seek ways to secure the necessary funding beneficial to meeting the increasing needs of our senior population. Many, many thanks for your encouragement and motivation!”
Former board chairman Don “Tuffy” Resweber also expressed his disappointment, saying that the tax proceeds would have helped the COA provide much needed services to parish seniors.
The proposal passed in only 19 of the parish’s 51 precincts but did receive a 646-617 favorable vote among early ballots cast.