City-Parish President Joey Durel has removed from next Tuesday’s City-Parish Council agenda an ordinance up for final adoption that could have paved the way for the creation of tax increment financing districts in designated economic development districts along Interstates 10 and 49 and along Ambassador Caffery at Kaliste Saloom and Verot School Road. The ordinance didn’t actually create the economic development districts or the TIFs; it merely budgeted about $3,800 to publish notices of public meetings pertaining thereto.
TIFs are districts in which an elected body can impose an additional sales tax — without voter approval — to generate revenue that would be devoted to infrastructure improvements within that district. The most visible example of the use of TIFs in Lafayette is at the Louisiana Avenue/Interstate 10 interchange. Consumers at the now-bustling shopping center anchored by a Target and a JC Penney pay an additional one-cent sales tax on purchases there. That additional revenue is earmarked for future upgrades at that corridor.
In a terse email response to The Ind seeking confirmation that he had pulled the ordinance, Durel confirmed that he had and writes that we “need more open, public discussion” on the issue before proceeding. He expounds on that comment for The Daily Advertiser, telling the newspaper, “The process is where it should have probably been before, at a point where there needs to be a lot more public discussion about this. I just had a feeling as I’ve talked to people around town that there needs to be a whole lot more education about it before we do something like this.”
The ordinance passed by a 7-1 vote — District 9 Councilman William Theriot voted against it; District 3 Councilman Brandon Shelvin was absent — on Nov. 2. District 8 Councilman Keith Patin voted in favor of the ordinance at that time, but expresses reservations in The Advertiser article about the expanded use of TIFs. “I can support a development-driven TIF, like at Louisiana Avenue where Target is, because that was an economic driving tool and a partnership agreement,” Patin tells the paper. “But I could not live with circumventing the voters. I don’t like it in general. I was okay with Louisiana Avenue, but putting TIFs on these roads up and down the street — no, no, no.”
... written by Cajunhiker , November 12, 2010 - 11:45 am
The Advocate more accurately summed up what's going on here. http://www.2theadvocate.com/ne...ex=14&c=y
In short, Mr. Durel and his administration has been working for months on a plan to raise sales taxes where we shop without a debate in our city and without a vote of the people. He nixed the idea once he found out he doesn't have 5 votes on the council to raise our taxes.
Durel flat out advocates that our taxes have to be raised in order to build and fix our roads. The attitude seems to be the voters just don't understand our situation so we have tax you no matter what or how it is done. Note to Mr. Durel, please implement reforms before raising our taxes. Taxpayers could give you a long list of ideas for reforms, some symbolic like funding for the arts and service agencies, and others with substance like no-bid contracts for professional services.
What's worse is we have City-Parish Gov't and the School Board racing to see which can raise our taxes first and the highest.
... written by just wait , November 12, 2010 - 12:43 pm
Walter, as I understand it, TIFs don't allow for the imposition of a sales tax w/out voter approval, they simply allow the 'freezing' of sales taxes at a chosen baseline year, with the over and above taxes collected in subsequent years to be dedicated solely to the TIF district. The idea is that improvements being made in the TIF will collect greater sales taxes and pay off the bond used to finance these improvements.
... written by Compassionate One , November 12, 2010 - 01:12 pm
From the Advertiser forum :
The mafia has a special brand of education. It surely took arm twisting to remove these proposals from the agenda.
--- Amen Brother!I have to laugh when Mr. Patin says he does not want to "circumvent the voters". When he and Mr. Bertrand do it all the time:
~No Bid Allied Waste Contract ~Raising Property Taxes ~Raising LUS rates ~Support of Redflex ~etc, etc, etc.
There was no doubt when I spoke to him that he was in support of the TIF district. So, the "principled one" has decided to fold them rather than hold them.
Election time next year. Hope these two like tea.
... written by just wait , November 12, 2010 - 02:10 pm
Once again, TIF's have nothing to do with raising taxes, or the imposition of an additional sales tax as Walter writes. I do believe this is incorrect.
... written by andymhebert , November 12, 2010 - 02:26 pm
Another important factor is the tax generated money in all TAXING Districts can only legally be controlled by the registered voters from those Districts, except one.
Can the registered voters in the Incorporated City of Lafayette say the same?
... written by Sandy Bottom , November 12, 2010 - 02:31 pm
He must have been TIF-ed off.
... written by Walter Pierce , November 12, 2010 - 02:34 pm
just wait, Here's a link to the ordinance and its associated documents:
And this excerpt is from a recommendation letter early in the process from Traffic Director Tony Tramel to the Durel administration: "Attached is an ordinance authorizing the publication of the Notices of Intention to create the Lafayette Interstate Corridor EDD and the Ambassador Caffery - Kaliste Saloom - Verot School EDD and to levy a 1% sales tax ..."
... written by neutral party , November 12, 2010 - 03:04 pm
Good for Louisiana Avenue but not Ambassador,or Verot.We can see who looks out for who.Cant wait to see how this plays out.If im not mistaken a tax district was implemented in the area of 1-49 near lowes how has that worked out.Besides how can we develop the swamp area that Target sets on theres a reason theres no development.Will you recoup the investment before the 100 year flood 50 year or how ever you want to spin it.BIG RAINS = RAISED WATER LEVELS=Flooding=WHOS GONA INSURE THAT DEVELOPMENT.
... written by Cadillac Cowgirl , November 12, 2010 - 03:06 pm
Compassionate One you are again misinformed! You need to get on page one when reading the Patin report! Don't you think Bertrand and Patin know the climate of their District and this country-- and understand the people's interest in what is happening in this day and age. When they were elected no one saw or could have predicted such a large decline in revenue. If you want to call someone one "the principled one" - please put your real name and contact information on this blog so you can be scheduled personally for a public meeting with the two districts . And by the way- both men love tea! Bring it on in election 2011!
... written by RaginCajun77 , November 12, 2010 - 03:51 pm
The decline in revenue is directly related to the economic climate of our country. The problem Durel and some of the members of the council have is they spend money with little regard for the future.
... written by The Rest of the Story , November 12, 2010 - 04:17 pm
Patin was with Durel and Bertrand in supporting this tax increase, that is, until Keith Patin started getting some phone calls. One included a legitimate contender who has promised to run against Patin should he support these TIFs.
Nice to see Keith do the crawfish!
... written by Compassionate One , November 12, 2010 - 05:02 pm
Hey Cadillac,
You asked:
Don't you think Bertrand and Patin know the climate of their District and this country-- and understand the people's interest in what is happening in this day and age.
No
... written by ragin_cajun , November 12, 2010 - 06:08 pm
Cadillac --
I have had several conversations with Don Bertrand over the last 2 years about the issues Compassionate One listed below, and others. He does indeed support raising utility rates, thinks redflex is a great idea, he voted against citizens in Scott who wanted to stop a housing development they thought would overburden drainage and roads nearby, he voted against a property owner near Wilderness Trail who wanted to build a trailer park on his land. I don't know where Bertrand stands on higher property taxes, or the higher assessment, but I know that Durel has said all along that the biggest problem HE sees with local government is not enough money to do things with--so it's reasonable to assume that Bertrand thinks the same thing.
I'm sure Bertrand would SAY he thinks the Tea Party is great, and he's talked about the "madness in Washington", but he has a very different philosophy about tax and government control at the local level.
"please put your real name and contact information on this blog so you can be scheduled personally for a public meeting with the two districts . " What does that mean? Is that some kind of veiled threat or something? Or are you just suggesting that the commenter call and discuss these issues with the councilmen?
... written by HARDHAT , November 12, 2010 - 08:33 pm
Oh, I'll do you one better than a name, how about the largest billboard on PINHOOK, TOUTING THE UNDERHAND DEALINGS OF YOUR PRESENT ADMINISTRATION, RIGHT NEXT DOOR, THERE, I"LL BE ! Take a bit off that plug for your cud, " DAHLING !
... written by Cadillac Cowgirrl , November 12, 2010 - 08:43 pm
compassionate - let's get together got hi gh tea
... written by Not so fast , November 12, 2010 - 09:25 pm
If Cadillac (Lou P) Cowgirl wants others to use their real name - then she should use hers!
... written by Cadillac Cowgirrl , November 13, 2010 - 07:08 am
Hello real story ! Who is your info source? Patin never committed to Joey or anyone else though he did receive a large number of calls as it should be for such an important vote. What a great day for Acadiana that so many individuals are paying attention.
... written by The Original Northsidian , November 13, 2010 - 10:22 am
Where do the Tea Party people stand on this tax increase issue? Is Lafayette the only place where the Tea Party people bend over for local tax increases? It ALSO looks like the Lafayette Republicans are the only Republicans who LOVE TAX INCREASES!!
... written by James Melancon , November 13, 2010 - 12:44 pm
TIF's are a back door to greater tax increases. The politicians wrap a new tax in a pretty package, and before you know it, it multiplies like rabbits.
... written by Cadillac Cowgirrl , November 13, 2010 - 06:42 pm
Ragin Cajun- I think all council members are open to visiting on the issues. No threats just encouragement to Openly talk about the tif and any issues. As a fiscally conservative voter, I agree with most opinions on this blog and read it to stay informed to the publics views. I am in no way a supporter of "tax and spend". And Not so fast- my name is very visible on my license plate for those who pay attention. Glad you are!
... written by TIFs Stiff Your Kids , November 13, 2010 - 10:32 pm
Why do you think they create these? So, when they get them, they can go out and borrow against them using long term bonds. That way they get to build things and get to take the credit today, using your kids future income and stiffing them with the bill tomorrow.
... written by Soop. , November 14, 2010 - 08:27 pm
I like the idea behind TIFs ... that taxes from a certain area are used in that area. But I think they ought to be voter approved. All taxes should be voter approved.
All the best,
Soop
... written by ragin_cajun , November 14, 2010 - 10:52 pm
Cadillac Cowgirl --
My councilman is Don Bertrand, and I'm not wasting another second on the phone with him about anything. It's pointless, his mind's made up.
I'll just give time and money to whoever runs against him. That's much more effective.
... written by puppet , November 15, 2010 - 01:35 pm
ragincaju, that is because when Joey D says JUMP, Donny asks "How high?". When Joey D says DANCE, Donny asks "How long and what style?". And when Joey D says VOTE, Donny asks "Which way, my lord?".
If you google "yes man", I wonder if Donny's wiki page pops up?
... written by NORTHSIDIAN SHOTGUN , November 16, 2010 - 12:02 am
Cathalytic Cowgirl, Do your employers have a random drug screen program......Has your name ever been selected ?
... written by NORTHSIDIAN SHOTGUN , November 16, 2010 - 09:39 am
Ga, " there is something terribly wrong with a person who has a personalized license plate on their rear end, this type of person is so lonely and unable to relate to anyone, and attempts to get attention by posting their alter ego cell number on the walls of public restrooms, it reminds me of couillions who blow their own horn, because no one else thinks enough of them or their accomplishments to call attention to them or their causes or their comments, this is a person so small in stature, and we're not talking height here, but rather a false sense of self importance, coupled to a slow gear case, these folks are identified as "AIRHEADs.
... written by Compassionate One , November 16, 2010 - 11:46 am
Come on Northside, have a little class!
Cadillac was very polite in her posts and I suggest we all show some civility.
Compassionate One
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http://www.2theadvocate.com/ne...ex=14&c=y
In short, Mr. Durel and his administration has been working for months on a plan to raise sales taxes where we shop without a debate in our city and without a vote of the people. He nixed the idea once he found out he doesn't have 5 votes on the council to raise our taxes.
Durel flat out advocates that our taxes have to be raised in order to build and fix our roads. The attitude seems to be the voters just don't understand our situation so we have tax you no matter what or how it is done. Note to Mr. Durel, please implement reforms before raising our taxes. Taxpayers could give you a long list of ideas for reforms, some symbolic like funding for the arts and service agencies, and others with substance like no-bid contracts for professional services.
What's worse is we have City-Parish Gov't and the School Board racing to see which can raise our taxes first and the highest.