Tax Vote Update

Next week the Gazette will run a full story on the upcoming December 7 Tax Vote.
There is controversy over whether the taxes are merely renewals or new taxes. Because 2024 is a mandatory reassessment year with the assessment base increased by the assessor from $194,502,482 to $221,207,567, renewal at the current millages will result in an additional $1,996,712.25 in taxes parish wide each year, according to Tax Assessor Lance Futch.
The governing authorities have already voted to use the larger assessment for 2024, without citizens votes, which they have the power, but not the obligation, to do. This means the vote was discretionary with the elected officials. The result, another $1,996,712.25 in taxes extracted from taxpayers in Union Parish this year.
Among all of the elected officials voting, the lone dissenting voice to the tax renewals was Police Juror Brenda Abercrombie, who voted no.
More next week.