NewsLocal NewsIn Your Parish

Actions

Getting Answers: Proposed Scott sales tax

Posted at 5:49 PM, Mar 18, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-18 19:12:16-04

Early voting is underway for a proposed one cent sales tax in the city of Scott.

Last year, the legislature approved a bill that would allow the city to create the tax to fund city services. If passed, two-thirds of the money would go to fire and police while the other third would fund parks and recreation, economic development and infrastructure.

Several viewers have reached out with questions about the tax. KATC is getting answers from Mayor Jan Scott Richard.

The Mayor acknowledges it will be a challenge for the one cent sales tax to pass. He says if it does, the money will stay in Scott.

“This allows us to really get on to the same page as everyone else around us. Duson is above us, Carencro is above us and Youngsville’s tax rate is above us,” Richard said.

With continued development in Scott generating tax revenue, several people asked us why propose a tax increase?

Richard said, “It’s just an added revenue source.”

The Mayor said the last time a tax increase happened was nearly 35 years ago. If this tax doesn’t pass, he says Scott will continue to operate within its means.

“We’ve been pretty fiscally responsible throughout the community,” said Richard. “We’re letting the people decide. If they don’t want it, then they will vote no against it. If they do want it, they’ll vote yes.”

Viewers asked if the tax passes, would it pay for city employee salaries or raises. The mayor said, no.

“The city employee raise is 2% and in our ordinance,” Richard said. “It’s across the board every year, pending funds.”

Viewers also questioned if the tax would help fund fire protection in the unincorporated areas of Scott.

“That would be out of our legal responsibility and I don’t think we would be allowed to do that. It would though allow us to maintain the class three rating we’ve had for the last 15 years which is vital to the residents and businesses in regards to insurance premiums,” Richard said.

Scott will hold one more town hall discussing the tax.

The meeting will begin at 6:00 on March 27 at City Hall.