[StBernard] St. Bernard Parish accepting applications for $32 fire fee waiver

[Westley Annis]

St. Bernard Parish accepting applications for $32 fire fee waiver

Published: Friday, August 24, 2012, 12:30 PM     Updated: Friday, August 24,
2012, 12:32 PM

  By Benjamin Alexander-Bloch, The Times-Picayune 

St. Bernard Parish residents, who are 65 years old or older and whose
household income is less than $67,601 a year, must submit applications by
Aug. 31 to be considered for an exemption to the $32 fee that will begin
Sept. 1 and last through Dec. 31. Residents must provide proof of their 2011
household income, a homestead exemption or rental agreement and a copy of
their driver's license. 

Residents must submit materials to Chief Administrative Officer Jerry
Graves' office on the second floor of the St. Bernard Parish Government
Complex, 8201 W. Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette. If not turned in by Aug.
31, eligible residents will not receive the exemption until October and
retroactive exemptions will not be given, according a parish government
announcement.

The St. Bernard Parish Council on Tuesday evening unanimously passed the $32
monthly fee for parish residents that will pay for the Fire Department's
operation from Sept. 1 through the end of the year so the administration
would not have to lay off any fire personnel.

On Dec. 8, parish residents likely will vote on a 20-mill tax to continue
funding the Fire Department in 2013 and beyond.

That 20-mill tax, which would replace the $32 fee, would add about $90 -- or
about $7.50 a month -- to the annual tax bill of a $120,000 home that
qualifies for homestead exemption. It would add about $250 a year, or $20.83
a month, to the tax bill of a $200,000 home.

Councilmen said last week that if the 20 mills are struck down, the $32 fee
still only would last through the remainder of the year.