Sheriff taking tax increase

Out of nine local taxing authorities, the St. Martin Parish Law Enforcement District – essentially the Sheriff’s Office – is the only one that will allow property tax revenues to rise as a result of an increase in taxable values.
The district is holding a public hearing Monday, June 13, to increase its millage rate back to last year’s maximum. According to the sheriff’s office, the increase will add $211,249 for a total amount of tax revenue to be collected this year of $6,940,963.
According to Assessor-elect Todd Dugas, valuations from the latest reassessment of the parish are up about 4 percent. Under Louisiana law, assessed millages are automatically “rolled back” when valuations go up so that taxing entities continue to receive the same amount of revenue.
A taxing authority, by posting adequate notice and holding a public hearing, may increase its revenue by “rolling forward,” or restoring the prior millage rate.
A mill is one-tenth of a cent. Mills, or millage, describes the rate at which property taxes are assessed.
Dugas said St. Martin Sheriff Ronny Theriot might be prescient in hanging onto the additional revenue. He said it’s doubtful the slight increase in valuations will hold up given the state of the oil and gas industry and its impact on the U.S. Hwy. 90 corridor in the parish.
Taxable property valuation went from $22,477,459 in 2015 to $22,706,499 after reappraisal.
The St. Martin Parish Law Enforcement District public hearing will begin at 10 a.m. Monday, June 13, in the main conference room at the St. Martin Law Enforcement Center, 400 St. Martin St., St. Martinville.
Other parish entities acquiescing to the roll-back of millages are the
Town of Arnaudville, St. Martin School Board, St. Martin Assessor, City of Breaux Bridge, St. Martin Parish Library, City of St. Martinville, St. Martin Water & Sewer Commission No. 1, and St. Martin Recreation District No. 1.
Sheriff Theriot was not available for comment on this story.