Reauthorization of taxes is essential
The City of Shreveport is asking voters to re-authorize six small property taxes in the April 29 election. These taxes are old taxes that support basic City services. They deserve your votes.
The 2023 General Fund budget for the six taxes, also called millages, includes the anticipated revenue from the millages, over $11,500,000. Failure of the taxes would require drastic reductions in street repair and public safety uniforms and equipment. Support of the voters for these re-authorizations is essential.
Here is a breakdown of the six propositions:
Proposition 1 – Street Improvements, Repair and Maintenance
Proposition 1 is “for the purpose of improving, repairing, and maintaining the streets of the City.” It is 1.13 mills and will produce an estimated $1,761,400 in revenue to be used for that purpose. Shreveport voters first approved this tax for imposition in 1941, 82 years ago
Proposition 2 – Recreation Facilities Operations and Maintenance
Proposition 2 is “for operating and supplying recreational facilities and appurtenances and maintaining the same.” It is 0.84 mills and will produce an estimated $1,309,300 in revenue to be used for that purpose. Shreveport voters first approved this tax for imposition in 1946, 77 years ago.
Proposition 3 – City Wages and Salaries
Proposition 3 is “for the purposes of continuing the salary and wage schedule of the City’s employees and for no other purpose.” It is 1.13 mills and will produce an estimated $1,761,400 in revenue to be used for that purpose. Shreveport voters first approved this tax for imposition in 1951, 72 years ago. This proposition is not for the 13% pay raise granted last year. That pay raise will come from existing sales taxes and the operating reserve.
Proposition 4- Police and Fire Personnel, Uniforms and Equipment
Proposition 4 is for “purposes of police and fire personnel and allowance for uniforms and equipment for said departments and for no other purpose.” It is 1.13 mills and will produce an estimated $1,761,400 in revenue to be used for that purpose. Shreveport voters first approved this tax for imposition in 1956. These funds are available for uniforms, vehicles, and other public safety equipment.
Proposition 5- Pensions for City Employees
Proposition 5 is for “providing funds for the City’s portion of pensions, employee life insurance and hospitalization plan for City employees.” It is 1.7 mills and will produce an estimated $2,649,000 in revenue to be used for that purpose. Shreveport voters first approved this tax for imposition in 1965, 78 years ago. These revenues fund pension payments the City is obligated to make regardless of the passage of the tax. Thus, without the passage of this tax, the City will have to make up these funds through reductions in service.
Proposition 6- Police Three-Platoon System
Proposition 6 is for “providing funds for the City’s continuation and maintenance of a ‘Police Three Platoon System’ originally authorized by Article 14, Section 12, of the Louisiana Constitution of 1921.” It is 1.48 mills and will produce an estimated $2,307,000 in revenue to be used for that purpose. Shreveport voters first approved this tax for imposition in 1970, 53 years ago, but the system dates back to 1921. The three-platoon system is what provides 24/7-365 patrol of Shreveport neighborhoods. Loss of this revenue could drastically impact police protection.
The total amount is 7.41 mills, which will produce an estimated $11,549,500 in property tax revenue. This is the same amount collected in 2022 on these taxes, so there will be no increase in 2023 taxes over 2022 taxes.
What will the taxes cost homeowners?
If the tax propositions pass, the total millage for the City for 2023 would be 29.88 mills, the same as 2022. The re-authorized taxes would be 7.41 mills. To compute the tax, one takes the mill rate times the assessed value of the property, then divides by 1000. The assessed value of a residential home is 10% of its market value.
Thus, the total tax on home with a market value of $100,000 is $100,000 x 10% x 7.41 / 1000, or $74.10 per year. The total tax on a house assessed at $200,000 would be $148.20, and the total on a house assessed at $300,000 would be $222.30.
The six long-ago-imposed (between 53 and 82 years ago) taxes are essential for basic services you expect from your City. Please vote yes on all six propositions on Saturday, April 29, to continue funding those basic services.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Reauthorization of taxes is essential
