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On January 15th,
Calcasieu Parish citizens will be asked to vote on a
10-year property tax for the continuation of the
mosquito control program. The tax will be 2.41
mills, an increase of .6 mills from the tax
currently being levied. This increase will generate
approximately $540,000 dollars in additional revenue
over the $1,627,911 expected to be collected for
2005. The following are the effects on homeowners:
Value of a Home
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Annual Tax
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Increase from Current Tax
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$75,000 |
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$0 |
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$0 |
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$100,000 |
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$6.03 |
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$1.50 |
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$150,000 |
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$18.08 |
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$4.50 |
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$200,000 |
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$30.13 |
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$7.50 |
Reasons for the proposed increase
Expenditures began
exceeding revenues in 2003. This trend continued in
2004 in the amount of approximately $200,000. For
2005, projected expenditures are once again over
projected revenues, this time in the amount of
approximately $500,000. Monies to make-up the
difference have been pulled from the operational
reserve. Future projections see no relief in sight
for the escalating costs associated with the daily
operational needs.
Primary reasons
for this increase are:
1) The
emergence of West Nile virus as a public health
threat and the need for additional control
activities.
2) Rising
cost of materials and supplies, particularly
insecticides and fuels, and additional man-hours
worked.
3) Continued
growth in the unincorporated areas of Calcasieu
Parish. This growth is estimated at 22% and has
added tremendously to the cost of control.
4) Warmer
winter temperatures resulting in a much longer
mosquito season.
The 2.41 mill tax, along
with interest, revenue sharing and other
miscellaneous revenue would generate close to $2.5
million, about what is budgeted for 2005.
For more information
regarding this tax election, contact Calcasieu
Parish Mosquito Control at 337-721-3700.
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