[StBernard] Property tax

[Westley Annis]

Cindy,
 
your comment about the parishes desire to tear down houses to collect more
property tax is not the motivation at all.  It is a much bigger issue- the
more vacant houses that exist the greater the likelihood that the parish
will experience a very difficult housing recession.  Obviously, if a person
bought a house somewhere else, even temporarily the homestead exemption can
not be taken in both places even if the St. Bernard house is left standing
so property taxes will be paid in another municipality or in St. Bernard,
unless a person is renting somewhere outside of St. Bernard.
 
The valuation of vacant properties may be somewhat higher by the assessor's
office than people would expect but still much lower than pre-storm values
were so although the tax issue could potentially generate revenue it is
significantly less than pre-storm and about 75% of the ad valorem taxes are
paid by industry in the parish not the residential market.
 
Hope this helps to clear up the interpretation.
 
Good luck and God Bless,
Craig