Council adjusts millage rates

PORT ALLEN — The City Council approved slight adjustments Wednesday to two of the city’s millage rates in response to declining property values.

The council unanimously adopted a resolution setting the millage rate for its general fund at 7.67 mills and 5.48 mills for tax revenue allocated to the Police Department for the 2012 tax year.

The millage rates were 7.37 and 5.27, respectively, prior to the council’s vote Wednesday night.

The new rates will generate approximately $19,000 in additional revenue during the 2012 tax year, Chief Financial Officer Audrey McCain said before the meeting.

McCain told council members that the adjustments were necessary to enable city revenues to “break even.”

McCain said the total gross assessment for properties in Port Allen was down this year.

According to data from the West Baton Rouge Parish Assessor’s Office, total property values dropped by $1.6 million between 2011 and 2012.

Other matters coming before the council included:

SPECIAL HONOR: The council adopted a resolution commending former city Chief Administrative Officer Barry Brewer for his more than 30 years of public service. Brewer retired in June.

Brewer told council members his next challenge will be to work as a volunteer with the West Baton Rouge Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The council hired Adrian Genre in June as Brewer’s replacement.

POLICE HIRING: The council approved Police Chief Ken Bates’ recommendation to hire a new full-time police officer.

Bates told the council that the department has three vacant job slots, but he is still reviewing applications and wants to continue advertising the openings.

Council members consented to Bates’ request to continue advertising to fill the department’s job vacancies.