Comments for Top prop-tax payers facing huge increases at http://www.theind.com , comment 1 to 26 out of 20 comments http://www.theind.com Fri, 24 May 2013 23:44:11 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/9252-top-10-property-tax-payers-face-increases-in-hundreds-of-thousands#comment-23952 Pedro, its been a while since I put sweat equity into a school, but I'm willing. I'm inclined to believe any lazy custodians should be on notice there ARE people who can and will replace them. I'm willing to wipe down lockers, paint walls if there is a call to arms for volunteers. I'm inclined to believe kids shouldn't have to eat at dirty unwiped tables, so if cafeteria workers need volunteer help, I'm signing up in my neighborhood. Its not like I haven't done it before. I can rearrange my work schedule for that. What I am unwilling to do is give more money, but I will give more time. Money is not always the answer. I really resent the LPSB pres' arrogance toward the 69% & he wishes it were so easy as to blame it on the T party! It would be a BIG mistake on the part of LPSB to misinterpret this mandate by the tax paying prop owners. - Hope Tue, 25 Oct 2011 06:33:57 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/9252-top-10-property-tax-payers-face-increases-in-hundreds-of-thousands#comment-23951 Dear Hole, here's a bit of advice for the LPSS, take the millions collected in sales tax ea month, take the millions upon millions collected ea yr in EXISTING prop taxes, & LIVE ON IT. LPSS DO YOUR JOB WITH WHAT YOU HAVE. NOT ENOUGH, START CUTTING! And while you're at it, see that the grass is cut too. Get onto the butts of the slacking employees who let kids eat on filty cafeteria tables & walk into schools that YOU have neglected for years. I have been doing my job for education: PAYING ABOUT 40 % OF MY TAXES TO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM! Now, start school in September - how many millions will that save in utilities & transportation? More days have resulted in more days off during the year & it sure has not resulted in better test scores.... Cut out the specialty schools - there are trade schools for that. Open up one of those closed schools & put gifted and talented students there. Use what you save there to do more. There is a ton of waste in the school system but the schl board is arrogant & doesn't realize the public is taxed out. Those are my suggestions. - BoFred Tue, 25 Oct 2011 04:47:26 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/9252-top-10-property-tax-payers-face-increases-in-hundreds-of-thousands#comment-23942 Why can't we have a more educated LPSB? Why can we gather a community coalition for facilities and tax increases but not one for fiscal responsibility and accountability from our LPSB/LPSS. Why isn't anyone interested in education? Why do we need to circumvent our elected LPSB to improve the LPSS? The LPSB members complain about how hard it is to be on the LPSB. Save us all some time LPSB, step down. The voters are not against new facilities. The voters are against the "status quo" from the LPSB. Mr. Babineaux, buy a clue! The single job of the LPSB is to "manage" the superintendent. The superintendent's duty is to manage the LPSS. Common sense, if we have accountability in the LPSS, the LPSB wouldn't be so busy with complaints, phone calls, hoodies and cell phones. We need to retain our great teachers/administrators, fire our bad teachers/administrators and move on. Let's stop the whining, mow the grass, fix the toilets, scrub the floors and get started. We have wasted enough time. - Pedro Mon, 24 Oct 2011 20:37:45 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/9252-top-10-property-tax-payers-face-increases-in-hundreds-of-thousands#comment-23921 lot of misinformation still around. I'd like to ask those againsters. WHAT can be done that would give you enough confidence in the school board or school system that you could vote to improve our facilities? Nearly everyone complained about the School board, this tax and bonding were written to minimize the school board's ability to manipulate the money. Professional oversight was dismissed as "outside consultants" yet we don't want any "friends" and cronies making money off of us. What the hell do you suggest? Please don't answer by saying we need a better school board. never gonna happen---the voters are educated here. - holeinthedonut8 Mon, 24 Oct 2011 12:23:10 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/9252-top-10-property-tax-payers-face-increases-in-hundreds-of-thousands#comment-23914 Now, schoolboard, hire a great superintendent who can come up with a real education plan for the parish, cut any unnecessary fat in the system, prove to the public you can ensure proper management of taxpayer money, tell CSRS to put the real job cost estimates in the Master Plan's Financial Summary, and then ask us again to pay more property tax. It just might happen if you can get this done. - Dudley E. LaBauve, III Mon, 24 Oct 2011 08:57:56 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/9252-top-10-property-tax-payers-face-increases-in-hundreds-of-thousands#comment-23905 It really is counterproductive to try to "guilt" me into giving more money for the LPSB to throw away by telling me about how "other parishes" do their business. Truth is, LPSB has collected millions and millions and millions & just doesn't like to be told no. Mr. Babineaux is wrong in his attitude, and I'm sure he was really p'd when he said it, we are NOT all members of the T Party & most of us were not influenced by them. I, for one, am glad they raised such a stink & were so vocal, but I'm not a fan or a member. I'm just a regular Joe, informed, not impressed with "the Master Plan". Guess what Mr. Babineaux, you're not my "master"... I'm just sick of government entities telling me I have to fork over more money for them to mismanage. MR. BABINEAUX, & MASTER PLAN PROPONENTS: 69 % understand the proposition, the plan; WE'RE JUST NOT WILLING OR ABLE to approve it. I won't support a sales tax either. Start looking for ways to cut back & quit robbing maintenance. Do your job & see to it that the grass is cut, buildings are painted, cafeteria tables are wiped down. Then we might, might, be willing to adjust our lifestyles a little more, for our $300 a yr, but you're gonna have to PROVE to us you're gonna be frugal & smart and A BILLION BUCKS AIN'T GONNA DO IT! I really resent the insinuation I don't understand the prop or was too gullible. The fact is, Mr. Babineaux, LPSB doesn't understand, taxpayers are tired of shelling out more bucks. And now its time for someone to take a pressure washer and clean Laf High. - BoFred Mon, 24 Oct 2011 04:55:17 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/9252-top-10-property-tax-payers-face-increases-in-hundreds-of-thousands#comment-23902 I think the voters were very WELL informed on the tax proposal. - ragin_cajun Sun, 23 Oct 2011 15:49:16 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/9252-top-10-property-tax-payers-face-increases-in-hundreds-of-thousands#comment-23899 The only hope of ever passing this tax rests on the shoulders of the LPSB. The tax was not defeated by "misinformed" voters. - Pedro Sun, 23 Oct 2011 08:30:52 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/9252-top-10-property-tax-payers-face-increases-in-hundreds-of-thousands#comment-23898 SnD, I'm with you. Whomever came up with this "drop program" was probably a very smart teacher. I can even justify that, but I sure can't justify the program for bus drivers! Since when did driving a bus demand a degree & continuing education? And the rep some of the bus drivers have had lately.... Don't get me wrong, a good bus driver, who likes the job, is the first & last face of the school day they see & those kids can love them. But there's no reason to neglect maintenance of schools to pay bus drivers a nice little nest egg. And this tax prop was one heck of an egg, for the consultants, construcition, vendors, etc. But I do believe its time for more community involvement, more butts in the seats @ meetings to let everyone in education know its not that we don't care, its that we believe there already IS enough money to do what is needed. NOW CAN SOMEONE GO WASH THE OUTSIDE OF LAFAYETTE HIGH??? - Hope Sun, 23 Oct 2011 08:06:34 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/9252-top-10-property-tax-payers-face-increases-in-hundreds-of-thousands#comment-23892 Corporations and business always pass on their taxation to their customers and employees. Money they pay out for taxes is money they can't use to sweeten their employees pay package. Or expand. Or pay off Debt. Life here in Lafayette sucks enough. My household income is down 22%, (raises have stopped, a damn good part-time job evaporated, thanks to stimulus/ obama) but property tax remains the same and the cost of everything is up. The only thing that would be worse would be if I were a renter. Then I would be reimbursing my landlord for property tax on my domicile, without benefit of homestead exemption. All of this applies to everyone, not just me. The amount spent per student is ridiculous. The degree of middle-management throughout the system is ridiculous. The amount paid to principals, assistant principals and "DROP" teachers is ridiculous. Oversight and management is always at least three months behind. The first few months of school were often chaotic for my kids. Whoo-hoo. As I write this, voting result are coming in and this tax was voted down by a large percentage. 65% against. Thank you. - snaildarter Sat, 22 Oct 2011 22:03:37 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/9252-top-10-property-tax-payers-face-increases-in-hundreds-of-thousands#comment-23881 This information is from LEDA on-line. The median value of a house or condo in Lafayette is $152,000, so $16/month will not be far off the average cost to homeowner. If you're going to have to pay more because you can afford a house that's worth more, be proud of your success, and proud to be able to take on the responsibility to our community. Step up! - Layne St.Julien Sat, 22 Oct 2011 12:20:20 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/9252-top-10-property-tax-payers-face-increases-in-hundreds-of-thousands#comment-23875 Thank you Pedro for being one of the parents who have kids in school who see this as propaganda to create a fast, huge influx of cash without any consideration as to how to ensure it will be spent wisely. I am so very sorry if your children have had to attend substandard schools. They deserve better. I hope in spite of their situation, they are able to earn themselves a good education & a good life. I apprecaite the fact you understand & are concerned yourself that throwing a pile of money isn't going to result in better schools. I am particularly concerned with the $18million dollars to be thrown away & the LPSB throwing their responsibility away. I remember my neice bringing paper towels & toilet tissue to school in Mar/April about 3 yrs ago cause it was near the end of school & they didn't always have toilet tissue at school. That's maintenance. Today a friend is working the polls. She will work @ the same elem schl she did in the Spring in a filthy cafeteria. They tooks pics. There is NO excuse for tables that aren't wiped down and a dirty floor. It should be clean on Friday before those workers go home. More money will not guarantee more maintenance. And again, I'm sorry someone's child has to eat there. You're not going to see anyone on here address the filth though. I will endure a financial cramp if this goes through. It will be a decision of quality of life. In my mom's case, her rent will increase, while she has not had a cost of living increase in 3 yrs. They are a neighborhood of elderly who watch out for each other, take care of on another, so they will pool together even more when the rent goes up. They have always taken care of everyone's children. They have paid taxes for 50 yrs. They go to schools, they read, they assist, they attend Grandparen'ts Day. Their rent will not go up just $16 a month, but I don't know ANYONE whos cost will only go up that small amount. That's a propaganda tool. I'm singing to the choir to you Pedro. Sorry. Thanks again for trying to be a voice of reason. - I'mnotfooled Sat, 22 Oct 2011 07:02:51 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/9252-top-10-property-tax-payers-face-increases-in-hundreds-of-thousands#comment-23863 Layne, thanks for the response, I understand the millage in the proposition. The LSPB will collect more per tax dollar than the city-parish government. And FYI not every tax payer in this parish paying taxes lives in a $150,000.00 house with a homestead exemption of $75,000.00. Your $18 estimate is low. How about business owners and home owners? My children attend public schools, I want better facilities. I have sacrificed enough while the LPSB/LPSS has squandered not only my tax dollars but also my donated funds, free labor, free time and free materials. I don't want to "give up" my Burger King too! It is time to end the free for all. Where were the protesters when the LPSB diverted 4 million maintenance dollars to fund another new program for a minority of students? How about any screams when the new estimated figures were released for funding the new tech school? Many of us have not "dropped the ball on the school facilities." For years we have begged and pleaded with the LPSS/LPSB to change the way the facilities are maintained. No answer. We still pay the people responsible. Your pictures illustrate the lack of accountability within the LPSS/LPSB. Spending 18 million dollars on consultants and still employing the same people responsible for the problem is not a solution. It is typical, decades old, LPSS/LPSB politics. If Lafayette is a "forward thinking community" let's work together to hire a new superintendent. Let's take the time to elect educated LPSB members with some financial background. I know this system, been there, done that. Throwing 25 more mills at it is not going to solve our problems. LPSS/LPSB needs leadership. Retaining Lemoine and his politics has wasted our time and money. This tax may recreate N.P. Moss on a much larger scale. - Pedro Fri, 21 Oct 2011 20:16:42 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/9252-top-10-property-tax-payers-face-increases-in-hundreds-of-thousands#comment-23855 Pedro, here's absolutely accurate information about what this tax will cost the average homeowner in our Parish, from a fact sheet on the issue prepared by the League of Women Voters. Several other organizations have issued the same numbers: "How Much Will It Cost? It will cost 23 mills for building and repair to generate $561 million and 2 additional mills for building upkeep and maintenance. The cost would be $16 more per month in property tax for a home assessed at $150,000 after figuring in the homestead exemption. That’s $192 a year." My estimate of $18 a month was a little high. The point is, it'll cost you more to buy burgers and cokes for a family of 4 at Burger King than this tax will cost each month. It's really not a big sacrifice we're talking about here. Lafayette is a forward-thinking community but it's really dropped the ball on its school facilities. It's time to man up and fix them. It's not going to be free, but it's really not going to be all that painful, either. - Layne St.Julien Fri, 21 Oct 2011 17:18:31 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/9252-top-10-property-tax-payers-face-increases-in-hundreds-of-thousands#comment-23853 Give me even more info. Tell me how much the following businesses pay: General Hospital Lourdes Women & Children's The Mall of Acadiana ALL of the car dealerships in Laf. Parish Banks: Home, Iberia, etc. How about some businesses in the construction industry? Doug Ashy? Take about a dozen restuarants around town. The Waste Disposal companies How much do you think has been paid, say in the past 15 or 20 yrs by those businesses? And frankly, the ones listed have paid enough. Doesn't matter what they take in, they're paying more than their fair share. We all have been paying our fair share. Its LPSB that hasn't been performing its duties. I just don't see how that is just brushed aside! "Oh, well, nothing we can do about that... GIVE US MORE OF YOUR MONEY TO THROW AWAY!"... Nah, I think I'll pass. - Morrow Fri, 21 Oct 2011 16:40:18 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/9252-top-10-property-tax-payers-face-increases-in-hundreds-of-thousands#comment-23849 All of these out-of-state companies, like AT&T, Wal-Mart, Home Depot must laugh when they write their property tax checks to Lafayette Parish. They probably thought they forgot a digit. They take a lot of profits of out of our Parish to simply send the money to other States where they pay many times more than the small amount we require them to pay in Lafayette. The price of a ladder at Home Depot in St. Tammany is the same as Lafayette, but they turnaround and write a check 3 times bigger to St. Tammany Schools. It is time for Lafayette to get something closer to our fair share! - Moderate Republican Fri, 21 Oct 2011 16:21:51 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/9252-top-10-property-tax-payers-face-increases-in-hundreds-of-thousands#comment-23847 Why is no one talking about what the LPSB collects in sales tax every year??? Its a whole lot. How many millions a year does LPSB already collect in property taxes across Lafayette Parish??? LPSB has had a HUGE BUDGET for the past 30 yrs I have been paying them property taxes. My property taxes have gone up every single year I have owned a home I don't believe I should pay more. I believe schools can be maintianed with the budget LPSB already collects. And frankly, the $600 more a year I'd have to pay, I need for my children. I have not had a raise in over 3 yrs, but bread & milk cost 3 times as much, & gasoline is 3 times more. My homeowners has tripled & its in my housenote. I'm sick of my mortgage company raising my note because of increasing property taxes. I am absolutely not willing to give LPSB more money to trash away. I don't care if its dedicated - I don't trust the system. I know there will be money freed up & I'm not willing to do it. Live within your means as I have to do. - Hope Fri, 21 Oct 2011 15:36:42 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/9252-top-10-property-tax-payers-face-increases-in-hundreds-of-thousands#comment-23845 LUS shouldn't even come up since its owned by the taxpaying citizens already. That is why Lafayette utilities rates are the best around. These rates are the lowest rates these companies but will pay more if they are in unincorporated areas, which I believe Frank's still is. I agree with Saddletramp, St Martin, Vermillion & Iberia are within moving distance. And remember: IBIERIA PARISH ISN'T TAKING MORE MONEY FOR THEIR SCHOOLS OR THEIR GOVT THIS YEAR !!! So their businesses & prop tax paying citizens get a little break. And since Lafayette parish TAKES IN TONS & TONS OF SALES TAX REVENUE GIVEN TO LPSB, which the #s haven't been bragged about with this prop tax initiative, and Laf prop usually assesses higher, THE DANGED SCHL BRD GETS ENOUGH DANGED MONEY ALREADY to maintain schools. I don't like the idea of ramming this through before a superintendant is chosen either & I think its burning up money to give $18million to someone when it can and should be the job of the school board. $18 million could buy a lot of light bulbs & lawn mowers! But my concern is for smaller companies, small businesses who pay $7,000 in prop tax who will see it climb to $14,000 & won't be able to give their employees a raise or a bonus. And quit telling me $16 a month. In my case, its more like $50 & I want that $600! I don't want to give it to the LPSB to trash away! I'd rather have it in my bank account than give it in prop taxes just to have the LPSB give raises in two years. And since no one will legislate that won't happen, I don't trust that it will not. NO NO NO NO NO NO MORE MONEY FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD, PERIOD! NOT THIS WEEKEND, NOT NEXT YEAR! - BoFred Fri, 21 Oct 2011 15:29:41 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/9252-top-10-property-tax-payers-face-increases-in-hundreds-of-thousands#comment-23841 That's enough money to make some companies relocate some or all of their facilities out of the parish. - saddletramp Fri, 21 Oct 2011 14:38:27 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/9252-top-10-property-tax-payers-face-increases-in-hundreds-of-thousands#comment-23840 by Layne St.Julien To make this analysis more meaningful, I'd like to also see the profit these corporations take in here. My guess is, $611,000 is chump change to AT&T . . . ----------------- Chump change to LUS too, oh sorry, they don't pay property taxes. - Whip it good Fri, 21 Oct 2011 14:33:51 +0100