On June 27, Baton Rouge voters are asked to go to the polls to weigh in on two important tax renewals. Early voting begins Friday. Sadly, sometimes off-cycle elections face low voter interest. We hope that will not be the case this time as two local institutions are counting on continued support for their survival.
Here are our recommendations for propositions on the ballot.
9.5 mill, 10-year property tax for the library system: Yes
The East Baton Rouge Parish Library System has, for four decades, been a stalwart of stellar service and excellent financial stewardship.
Their facilities are a jewel in the city’s crown and the envy of other municipalities around the country.
Unfortunately, the library’s dedicated tax, which voters have approved overwhelmingly every 10 years since the 1980s, was looped in to last year’s Thrive plan, which fell at the ballot box.
That left the library with no dedicated revenue source for next year. Getting this proposal on the ballot this month is the best way for the library services to continue uninterrupted.
This year’s proposition comes in at a lower number than previous decades’ proposals: 9.5 mills versus 11.1. We believe the citizens are well served by this agency, which has not had a major financial scandal in decades and operates on a pay-as-you-go model for building. In other words, the library saves money to buy things rather than go into debt as other public entities do.
If approved, the 10-year tax is expected to generate about $59.6 million annually, which will be used to operate and staff the 15 branches spread across the parish. Some of the money will also go to fund capital projects.
Library leaders have proved over and over again that they are both strategic in spending and diligent in oversight. If the tax does not pass, cuts will have to be made to hours, services and staffing. And East Baton Rouge citizens will suffer.
3.96-mill, 10 year property tax for BREC: Yes
East Baton Rouge’s parks agency has, in recent years, faced some challenges.
There have been problems with recreational programming, missed audits and management that at times seemed indifferent to the public it was supposed to serve.
But two years ago, East Baton Rouge voters approved two BREC millages. The next year, the Legislature remade BREC’s board, giving the mayors of Zachary, Central, St. George and Baker more of a role.
Within the past few weeks, the Commission has hired Brooks Williams as its next superintendent.
We believe those changes have improved the agency, and we think approving this millage is a good way to give the new leadership the tools to succeed.
Already, interim management has been working to reduce the number of excess properties BREC owns. Those same leaders are ramping up collaborations with recreational and competitive league groups to improve the offerings at local parks.
We believe that all of these are signs BREC is headed in the right direction. Certainly, challenges remain on the horizon, including the future of City-Brooks Community Park and the University Lakes.
This tax, if passed, will generate roughly $24.8 million for BREC’ maintenance and operating budgets. We understand voters’ skepticism based on the past, but we believe this funding is a good step toward making sure that future East Baton Rouge residents have access to a vibrant park system.