[StBernard] Fire District 08 Raises Property Tax Rate 43%

[Westley Annis]

La Politics From The Inside <http://www.timburns.com> 

 

After the Parish Council voted to oppose property tax increases last week, I
was hopeful that other taxing bodies were possibly getting the message
against rising property taxes.  I was wrong.   

 

At a meeting held this Tuesday night, the Fire District 8 Board voted to
raise its property tax rates 43% despite opposition from yours truly and
other members of the community. One couple in attendance, who had relocated
from Plaquemines Parish, commented that the property tax in St. Tammany was
higher than their flood insurance in the hurricane prone area that they
permanently evacuated from. Now they have to pay both high property tax and
as well as flood insurance.  If we're not careful, they are going to decide
to evacuate from St. Tammany.  

 

One of the justifications given for 43% increase was rising costs,
particularly fuel costs. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't gasoline
prices dropping with the rest of the economy. In addition, the nine mills
the board voted to roll up will cost the average area homeowner an
additional $150 a year, and again we are talking about the impact of one
single rollup from one of the 30 tax bodies in St. Tammany.  

 

Another justification stated for the tax increase was that there were only a
handful of people in attendance at the meeting, so that everyone else in the
community were apparently fine with the 43% property tax increase.  The only
way that citizens can stop this steady march of property tax increases is to
become involved and contact the board members of the various taxing bodies
listed below.  If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call my
office at 985-624-4492.  Please take a few minutes and have your voice
heard.  Please also forward this message to your friends and neighbors.   

 

 
Thanks
Tim
11/13/08
Fire District 1
Meeting @5:30pm
Camp Villere
3478 S Range Rd
Slidell, La
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Commissioners
Chief Larry Hess 985.646.4861
Mr. Steve Farris 985.643.5234
Mr. J. Donald O'Bryan 985.649.6192
Mr. Michael Rich 985.641.7365