The next 100 days
Although the six restored special taxes are a highlight of the first 100 days of the Arceneaux administration, it is too early to do any chest thumping. Putting myself in that position , what would I look to accomplish for my next 100 days? Absent a drastic bond proposal, of which Mayor Arceneaux and challenger Senator Gregg Tarver both pledged not to do, I would look for ways to build on or enhance the six special taxes.
In order to increase the amount of taxes associated with all six of these property taxes, I would set out a plan to add back to the tax rolls the thousands of vacant lots that are producing no revenue for the city. The groups that would have to be at the table for this plan to be successful are, Shreveport Implementation and Redevelopment Authority (SIRA), Community Development, Property Management, a newly appointed Economic Development Director, and a legislative contingency of Northwest Louisiana State Legislators.
The RDA’s mission is “to transform the quality of life for all citizens who live, work and play in East Baton Rouge Parish by returning blighted properties to productive use, fostering redevelopment through facilitating partnerships, and creating a vibrant, globally competitive community while preserving character of place.” www.ebrrda.org
SIRA should be organized along the lines of nationally recognized success of the East Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority. The RDA began its operations around the strategic focus “to address community needs while meeting its mission: leveraging real estate financing affordable and mixed-income housing, stimulating the commercial sector through economic development, all while stabilizing neighborhoods through targeted quality of life improvements.”
Reaching out to the EBRRA board for advice would be a top priority. Working from the vision outlined in Chapters 6, 11 and 12 of the 2030 Master Plan, along with the most recent SIRA Legislative Authorization, partnerships should be made with Community Development (housing development programs), Property Management (Adjudicated Property Programs), City Economic Development (assist in Public/Private Funding/Investments), and a Legislative Contingency (enact any laws that will accommodate SIRA’s success).
Mayor Arceneaux in his pre-election promotion of the special taxes stated that for every home assessed at $100,000, $74.00 will be collected in restored taxes. With the advent of increased building (materials) costs, most of the affordable homes on small lots will probably range around $150,000 ($111.00 in taxes). So for every 1,000 homes constructed and purchased, the city will be able to add $111,000 annually to the special tax revenues and that is not inclusive of user fees and city property taxes that will also be assessed.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: The mayor of Shreveport's next 100 days
