Special Election Called in Henderson

The town council here voted to call a special election to approve the rededication of sales tax revenues.
At its Monday Jan. 11 meeting, the council scheduled a public vote for April 9. Mayor Sherbin Collette said that the measure, which will not change tax rates, will save residents from sewer bill rate hikes.
Under present ordinances all sales tax paid in Henderson is allocated to road maintenance. Passage of the measure by voters will allow part of tax revenue to go to the sewer system depreciation account as recommended by the independent auditor last year.
Collette said that the proposed partial reallocation will satisfy depreciation requirements while leaving sufficient funds in road maintenance accounts. He said it is the only way for residents to avoid sewer rate increases in the near term.
In other business, Councilman Jody Meche voiced relief that the Atchafalaya would be spared the threatened opening of the Morganza Floodwater Control Structure.
Even without a release from Morganza, a significant high-water event is expected in the Basin. In a news release from the Army Corps of Engineers, Ricky Boyette, chief of Public Affairs wrote that water levels are expected to reach 20 feet at Butte La Rose on or around Jan. 17. A crest of eight feet is expected for Morgan City on or around Jan. 21.
Levels at Morganza are expected to just reach the 57 foot trigger for opening, but the predicted flow rate of 1.44 million cu. ft. per second is deemed to be below levels that endanger the levee system.