(The Center Square) — Lake Charles residents will vote on two mayoral candidates in Saturday’s election, alongside many tax renewals for Westlake and the parish.
Republican Nicholas Hunter and independent Marshall Simien are campaigning for the mayoral seat. Hunter has held the position since 2017. During the March election, neither candidate received more than 50% of the vote, resulting in both entering the May 3 runoff election.
Previously, Hunter received 47% of the vote, while Simien received 29% of the vote.
District C in Lake Charles is holding an election for a new councilmember. The two candidates are Democrat Tommy Bilbo and Priscilla Sam.
The city of Westlake is seeking a millage renewal of 10 mills for the next 10 years. The tax collected will amount to $705,000 a year starting in 2026 and ending in 2035 . This tax renewal will continue to go towards operating and maintaining the city’s fire department.
Westlake is also asking voters to renew a millage to operate and maintain the city’s police department. Like the fire department millage, this renewal is also for 10 mills for 10 years starting in 2026.
Two sales tax renewals are on the ballot for the city of Westlake. Voters can decide for or against renewing a 1% sales and use tax estimated in total to collect $1.5 million a year. The sales tax is for 10 years beginning July 1, 2027.
The funds from this sales tax go to constructing, acquiring, improving, operating and maintaining fire departments, sewage facilities, public parks and recreational facilities. The tax will also be used to supplement the cost of salaries and benefits for city employees.
An additional sales tax seeking renewal is a one-half percent sales and use tax amounting to $750,000 annually for 10 years beginning Oct. 1, 2027. The funds from the tax go towards improving, operating and maintaining the city’s police department.
The final prop for residents to vote on is a sales tax renewal but for the Calcasieu Parish Law Enforcement District. The funds collected go towards deputy salary schedules, future living cost salary adjustments, continued funding of the patrol and corrections divisions and maintenance of the Emergency Fund Balance or Reserve in the event of an emergency. If passed, the half-percent sales tax would generate $33.5 million a year for 10 years beginning Oct. 1, 2026.
