For the first time in 60 years, Baton Rouge voters have the chance to decide the fate of a small property tax for the Baton Rouge Police Department.
Those who live within the city limits will see a .87 mill property tax on their spring ballots, while voters parishwide will see taxes for schools as well. Though property owners have spent decades paying the police tax, the city-parish has been collecting it without voter approval.
City Hall has defended the practice because an old amendment in the state constitution allows governments in larger cities to collect property taxes under 1 mill to help pay for police protection. But the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s office challenged the tax collection last year, saying that more recent constitutional amendments barred the practice.
The Parish Attorney’s office filed a lawsuit last September against the Legislative Auditor’s Office, asking for the courts to determine whether the tax was legal. State Judge Tim Kelley ruled in favor of the legislative auditor last October, and City Hall appealed the ruling to the First Circuit Court of Appeals.
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While they wait for an answer, city-parish leaders placed the tax on spring ballots “in case the city-parish does not receive a favorable ruling through the court system.â€
The property tax, which would be in place for 10 years, would cost $10.88 a year for homeowners whose homes are valued at $200,000 and who receive a homestead exemption. Originally enacted in 1958 and sometimes called the "three platoon police tax," it was described at the time as something that would help provide city residents with round-the-clock police protection.
The money makes up $1.7 million of BRPD funding, and goes toward general operations. BRPD’s budget for 2018 is $92.6 million.
“Everyone understands that the police department needs more revenue,†said Darryl Gissel, the city-parish chief administrative officer. “This isn’t tied to new stuff, this is tied to old stuff.â€
BRPD Chief Murphy Paul said any tax money that goes toward public safety is important, and urged voters to say yes at the polls.
“It has been an important part of our budget since 1958,†added BRPD spokesman Don Coppola. “It would be difficult for the city-parish to make up that revenue if lost.â€
Since 1998, the people of East Baton Rouge Parish have strongly supported a set of three tax levies, totaling a one-cent sales tax, for constr…
Unlike many other tax propositions, there has not been extensive public outreach or discussions about the police tax. When Gissel brought it to the Metro Council for a discussion April 11, Councilman Scott Wilson responded that "you ought to be in the community discussing it.â€
The schools taxes on the spring ballot, on the other hand, have generated both discussion and debate as Superintendent Warren Drake tries to pitch them to voters. Three taxes for schools that comprise a 1 percent sales tax are on the spring ballots. The money they would generate is expected to go toward school repairs and renovations, paying teachers and a plan to consolidate and improve alternative schools.
Those in the southeastern part of the parish will also be asked to renew two property taxes for the St. George Fire Department. One of the taxes is 2 mills, and the other is 1.25 mills.
Across the Mississippi River, West Baton Rouge and Pointe Coupee voters will determine their next judge for the 18th Judicial District Court. Republican Tom McCormick is facing off against nonparty candidate Tonya Smith Lurry.
Early voting for the spring elections starts April 14 and runs through April 21. Election Day is April 28.
