The Propositions

Two districts listed below are coterminous with the parish, one consists of the parish’s west bank, and one is composed of just nine west bank precincts. They were placed on the ballot by parish council resolution on November 4, 1998.

Parish Public Transportation System - Renewal

This proposition, if approved by voters, will extend for an additional ten years the collection of a two mill property tax on all property subject to taxation in the parish, for the maintenance and operation of the parish’s public transit system.

In 1997, this millage produced $2.5 million in revenue and is projected to generate $2.6 million in 1999. Total revenue for Public Transportation System is budgeted at $4 million for 1999. The majority of remaining 1999 revenue is derived from state appropriations ($995,000) and federal grants ($200,000).

The Parish contracts for transit services with two separate companies, one for east bank transit ($1.4 million) and one for the west bank operations ($1.3 million). These contractual expenditures are budgeted as “purchase of services - professional and technical” and account for 75 percent of transit
operating costs.

Salaries and employee benefits for Transit Administration are budgeted at $123,000 for 1999. “Professional services” ($200,000), “other services” (security guards at $190,000), and a variety of overhead and indirect costs account for the balance of 1999 budgeted expenditures.

Transit Administration entered fiscal year 1998 with a fund balance of $1.7 million dollars, an amount equal to 43 percent of projected 1998 amended revenues.

Parish Public Transportation – Physically
Disadvantaged and Elderly - Renewal

If approved, this proposition will extend for an additional ten years the collection of a one mill property tax on all property subject to taxation in the parish for the maintenance and operation of the parish’s Mobility Impaired Transportation System (MITS) for individuals unable to use regular public transportation. The millage was initiated in 1989 and the renewal would commence with calendar year 1999.

One mill will generate approximately $1.35 million annually (at 100% collection) or about 95 percent of total budgeted 1999 MITS revenues of $1.4 million.

The Parish contracts with East Jefferson Hospital for operation of MITS. Contractual expenditures are budgeted as “purchase of services - professional and technical” and account for over ninety percent of annual operating costs.

MITS began 1998 with a fund balance of $688,000, almost 50 percent of 1998 amended revenues.

Fire Protection District #4 (Lafitte/Barataria)- Renewal

Renewal of the proposed 15-mill assessment on all taxable property in Fire Protection District #4 will provide the district with revenues to fund fire protection operations for an additional ten years. This district is composed of nine precincts in the Lafitte/Barataria area. Renewal would begin with calendar year 1999.

Revenue from the millage for 1998 (collected in 1999) is projected at $320,000 and provides for 95 percent of the fire district’s adopted 1999 operating budget of $340,000. Projected millage revenues are down compared to 1997 revenues of $382,000 as a result of lower taxable assessments in the district.

The Parish contracts with the Lafitte Volunteer Fire Department for fire fighting services. Contractual services are budgeted as “purchased services – professional and technical” and account for all expenditures.

The district began 1998 with a fund balance of $47,600, about 14 percent of amended 1998 revenues.

West Jefferson Consolidated Recreation and Community Center and Playground District No. 1 - Renewal

This Proposition provides for renewal of a property tax assessment of ten mills on all taxable property in the district to be used for the maintenance and operation of 26 public parks and recreation centers for ten years beginning with calendar year 1999. The district is composed of the unincorporated portions of the west bank of Jefferson Parish (72 precincts). West bank playgrounds 1 and 2 were consolidated in 1992.

Projected revenue from the millage for 1998 (collected in 1999) is $3.4 million per year or 68 percent of adopted 1999 district operating revenues of $5.2 million. The majority of remaining revenue is derived from a $1.25 service charge added to west bank water bills and user fees.

Almost 60 percent of outlays are for salaries and employee benefits for 120 full-time and part-time staff. A portion of the district’s budget ($168,000 in 1999) is used to fund the Recreation Director’s office, which is also responsible for supervising operations of the East Bank Consolidated Playground and Lafreniere Park.

The district began 1998 with a fund balance of $3.2 million, roughly 60 percent of 1998 amended revenues.