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Story Archives: Vote yes on tax extension


Vote yes on tax extension
posted Wednesday, July 16th, 2008 @ 9:59 amE-mail Story E-mail Story | Print Story Print Story 
Voters who reside in the unincorporated areas of Ouachita Parish east of the Ouachita River will go to the polls Saturday to determine whether the parish school system can levy a property tax for another year.

Last year, voters in the aforementioned areas of the parish signed off on Ouachita Parish Schools extending a 30-mill property tax for seven more years, or expiring in 2033. They money will be used to pay for the construction of new schools in Richwood and Sterlington as well as for the renovations of existing parish schools in eastern Ouachita.

The seven-year extension did not generate enough money for the parish school system to build a new middle school or junior high school at Richwood and a new elementary school at Sterlington. The seven-year extension did not generate enough money either to cover the costs concerning the renovation of existing eastern Ouachita schools.

That was the case because construction costs have increased at a fast clip. Construction costs have increased because energy prices have driven up prices for materials and labor and the like.

That's why Ouachita Parish Schools needs another extension of the 30-mill property tax. According to parish school system officials, a one-year extension will generate enough money to complete the new school construction projects as well as for the renovations of existing eastern Ouachita schools.

While we understand and can relate to the argument that the people pay too many taxes already, we believe the one-year tax extension for the parish school system should be approved by parish voters in eastern Ouachita.

Property owners are already paying the 30-mill property tax. A one-year extension isn't going to bankrupt them.

Instead, we feel strongly that investing in infrastructure, such as first-class educational facilities, will pay big dividends for the people in the long-term.

It's an investment in our future.
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