Editorial: The Times-Picayune makes these recommendations for Jefferson, St. Tammany, Orleans parishes

By Staff Editorial

Source: The Times-Picayune | NOLA.com

September 27, 2023

Orleans Parish School Board facilities millage renewal: Yes

In the grueling recovery from Hurricane Katrina, the $1.8 billion lump sum settlement with FEMA to rebuild New Orleans schools was a high point. Saddled before the storm with facilities so decrepit that students were known to roam from campus in search of usable restrooms, the Orleans Parish School Board has wisely invested in state-of-the-art schools.

The rub has always been how to keep up those new and renovated buildings for the long haul. That’s where a 4.97-mill 2014 facilities millage, with strict guidelines on usage, came in. The tax expires next year, and the district, which leases buildings to a network of charter operators, is seeking a 20-year renewal.

We recommend a “yes” vote.

“Renewing the tax is critical to sustain the quality of public school facilities, which is essential for students’ health, safety and achievement,” the Bureau of Governmental Research wrote. The 20-year duration would allow the district to secure bonds if necessary to pursue its capital plan. Without the revenue, conditions are likely to fall well below recommended standards.

We are mindful that that the ballot measure comes as New Orleanians fear that higher overall property assessments will result in larger tax bills. That’s up to individual taxing entities such as the school board. We urge the board, which also collects a much larger separate millage for operations, to not roll this one forward so that hard-pressed property owners would collectively pay the same amount they’re paying now, not more.

New Orleans City Charter changes: Yes

The New Orleans City Council has proposed two amendments to the City Charter.

One would establish a new Department of Code Enforcement to provide a single office for administrative, personnel, funding support and accountability to a function that’s now scattered throughout city government.

The other would move up the deadline for the mayor to deliver the annual operating and capital budgets to the City Council for review — from Nov. 1 to Oct. 1. The proposed change would give the council significantly more time to review the administration’s spending plans, and provide citizens more fiscal transparency.

We recommend New Orleans voters approve both propositions.

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