The next election is May 4. So what’s on the ballot? It’s an important one as it’s the Bossier Parish School Board Tax Referendum. Find out more below:
Parish of Bossier Parishwide School District
Proposition No. 1 of 2 (Millage)
Shall Parishwide School District of the Parish of Bossier, State of Louisiana (the “District”), levy a twenty-two and ninety-four hundredths (22.94) mills tax on all property subject to taxation in the District for a period of ten (10) years, beginning with the year 2019 and ending with the year 2028 (an estimated $22,192,464 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), for the purpose of giving additional support to the public elementary and secondary schools of the Parish by providing funds for the payment of salaries and benefits of teachers and other school employees?
A vote for would increase property taxes across the parish for businesses and residents alike. According to the BossierParish Tax Assessor’s office, Proposition 1 at 22.94 mills would constitute an increase of 21.10% for businesses within the city of Bossier City but the increase varies outside of the city limits. For the schools, it would increase teacher pay by $7,200 across the board and $3,000 for support personnel.
A vote against would maintain property taxes at approximately the current levels.
Parishwide School District
Proposition No. 2 of 2 (Millage)
Shall Parishwide School District of the Parish of Bossier, State of Louisiana (the “District”), levy a three and twenty-two hundredths (3.22) mills tax on all property subject to taxation in the District for a period of ten (10) years, beginning with the year 2019 and ending with the year 2028 (an estimated $3,090,000 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), for the purpose of giving additional support to the public elementary and secondary schools of the Parish by funding the acquisition, construction, maintenance and operation of the infrastructure, hardware, software and related furnishings, equipment, supplies and facilities for computer and related technology training and instruction in the public elementary and secondary schools of the Parish?
A vote for would increase property taxes across the parish for businesses and residents alike. According to the BossierParish Tax Assessor’s office, Proposition 2 at 3.22 mills would constitute an increase of 2.96% for businesses within the city of Bossier City but the increase varies outside of the city limits. It would give the schools approximately $3 million per year to invest in technology upgrades, mainly in infrastructure, to increase wireless capability and allow the school district to comply with FCC national recommendations for bandwidth and Internet broadband capability per student.
A vote against would maintain property taxes at approximately the current levels.**If both millages pass, according to the Bossier Parish Tax Assessor’s office, this would constitute a total increase of 24% for businesses within the city of Bossier City but the increase varies outside of the city limits.
And we want to hear from you! Let us know your thoughts on the upcoming tax referendum from Bossier Parish Schools by responding to our poll.
Chamber Investors can send any thoughts or concerns to the Bossier Chamber at info@bossierchamber.com.
Lisa Johnson is CEO and president of the Bossier Chamber of Commerce
