[StBernard] Attorney General Opinion

[Westley Annis]

If it were put to the voters like any sales tax referendum.  The key here is
the public must have a choice - whether that's by each household being able
to accept or refuse the service (thus get their own) or collectively vote
and decide by majority.  We all too easily decide among people running for
office, why not for this?  I would consent to the Parish President and
Council to agree on the best two contractors/proposals.  Each offer can then
be presented to the voters and they go to the polls to decide which one to
go with.  The referendum would be decided by the President and Council as to
how payment is collected (sales tax/property tax/water bill, etc.).

Of course the best course of action would be to let each household hire
their own service.  From what I've learned, it works very well in St.
Tammany.  There's a decal that goes on the can and the driver knows which
house is their customer.  Now that is what you call competition - and will
breed lower fees and better service.  Because if you become dissatisfied say
with SDT, you can switch to Coastal or Waste Management.

The only exception to all this would be if only one waste contractor is
interested in doing business in St. Bernard - but I seriously doubt that
would be the case.




-----Original Message-----
would your interpretation be different if the households are not actually
charged directly, but rather pay for this service indirectly by sales tax
and / or property tax or general fund?  ---  SJK