Millage ‘rolls forward’ for Sheriff’s Office

NEW IBERIA — The Iberia Parish Law Enforcement District has agreed to roll forward a property tax rate expected to generate about $165,000 annually for the Sheriff’s Office.

The public hearing Tuesday at the Sheriff’s Office addressed two resolutions involving rolling forward the property tax rates, an action that does not require voter approval.

Local taxing authorities are required by law to “roll back” their tax rates to levels that would generate the same tax revenue as the previous year.

This becomes critical in a reassessment year, like this year. Assessors are required to reassess property in their parishes every four years.

An increase in assessed value would mean taxing authorities should roll back their property tax rates.

Local taxing authorities such as the law enforcement district have the option, with a two-thirds vote of the taxing body, of imposing the same tax rate as the current year in order to generate additional money.

That’s called “rolling forward.”

The Law Enforcement District decided to roll forward its 10.3-mill tax rate rather than allowing the rate to roll back to 9.96 mills, said Steve Elledge, general counsel for the Sheriff’s Office.

Chief Deputy Russell Hebert, representing Sheriff Louis Ackal, voted to adopt the increased millage rate and a separate resolution that rolled the millage rates forward.

The tax revenue is collected in January for the preceding year, Elledge said.