(The Center Square) — The Caddo Parish Commission passed several ordinances related to tax rates in the area this week.
One maintained millage rates on property taxes as opposed to lowering them. District 9 Commissioner John Atkins said the parish would go from a $1.3 million increase in revenue from the previous year to a $69,000 increase if an adjustment were to be made.
The ordinance passed with a vote of 9-3 at its meeting on Thursday.
Krystle Beauchamp, director of communications for the parish, told The Center Square this is a reassessment year for property assessments. Some citizens may see an increase in their property taxes, but that is based on the assessment of their personal property.
Two other ordinances related to property were passed unanimously. One sold excess land to a company called Gods of Grind, LLC and another donated surplus property to the Fire Protection District.
A resolution was also passed unanimously. The resolution created a permanent public safety committee for general public safety concerns in Caddo.
This committee is to be referred ordinances related to things like crime lab funding, first responder issues, election safety, litter, natural disaster response, and other public safety matters.
Two zoning ordinances were introduced. One added provisions and procedures Unified Development Code regarding suspension or revocation of short-term rental permits within Caddo Parish Zoning Commission’s jurisdiction.
Commissioners said such a suspension or revocation of short-term rental permits should be warranted when the conduct of the business of short-term rental is incompatible with the neighborhood or environment on which the short-term rental is located.
The second zoning ordinance prohibits the placement of certain monuments on parish property. Some public comments pushed back saying a monument’s purpose or message may be interpreted as immoral in any case for many reasons so those interpretations shouldn’t determine the merits of the statue’s existence. The commission did not comment on those concerns.
