Iberia ad-hoc panel to look at millage rates

Published 6:00 am Tuesday, June 5, 2018

The next few months will be educational for public officials and local residents as an ad-hoc committee begins looking into Iberia Parish’s millage rates. 

“The plan is to go in and look at millages collected and cross examine our revenues with our expenses,” committee chairman Warren Gachassin said.

“We can see where we’re over and under on collecting, and maybe see if it’s possible to distribute to some other funds.”

The idea behind the committee is to examine at current millage rates and find areas where “loose mills” could possibly be re-dedicated to fund priority projects like roads, which have no dedicated funding. 

Gachassin said the meeting also will serve as a way for parish residents to get educated on how millages function in Iberia Parish.

Making up the committee are Iberia Parish Council members Warren Gachassin, Brian Napier, Paul Landry, Michael Landry, Natalie Broussard, Joel Dugas and Marty Trahan. Also on the committee are several non-public officials, including Michael Flash, Pat Caffery, David Larson, Armond Schwing, Charles Smith and Lloyd Verret.

Gachassin said local businessmen were added to the committee to add more insight to parish finances from a business perspective. 

“I’m not going into this like I want to change anything,” Napier, the panel’s vice-chairman, said. “I want to look into our millages and see if any of them need attention. Do we have to do anything with drainage or jail or public buildings? I’m looking to see if we’re on the track.”

“These were put together many many years ago,” Napier added. “That doesn’t mean it fits today’s times.”

The first meeting takes place 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Iberia Parish Courthouse.