Caddo Parish recently released its millage video presentation. In a nearly six-minute video, Clay Walker, Director of Juvenile Services, said “Having a millage that was established in 1957, frankly, is inadequate.”
This millage proposal will authorize a special tax of 3.5 mills on all property subject to taxation in Caddo Parish. This is equivalent to an estimated $5,250,000 for an entire year.
According to Caddo Parish, the cost for a property owner with a home valued at $200,000 would increase to $3.67 per month, or $44 per year, according to the parish website.
“We are currently struggling to address public safety and criminal justice issues with current funding,” said Krystle Beauchamp, Communications Manager for the parish.
“Having this milage specifically for criminal justice will help all of us who have to use those funds,” said James E. Stewart, Sr., Caddo Parish District Attorney.
If approved by voters on Oct. 14, this millage would go into effect at the beginning of 2024 and end in 2039.
Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prater said he thinks the millage could end up taxing Caddo citizens but not actually addressing the main problem.
“Our most pressing need is bed space,” Prator said.
He continued by saying that the Caddo Commission received advice from a citizens committee on what needed to be addressed regarding public safety and criminal justice but disregarded it, instead choosing to use the millage to support programs.
“I’m not sure what kind of programs they’re talking about. It’s very nebulous,” Prator said. “Every weekend, we have to decide which violent juvenile to let go or which one to arrest, and many of them are on the street now that need to be locked up. The Commission decided on their own to disregard what the committee said was the priority.”
The purpose of the millage is to maintain public safety by supporting costs for community mental health programs, workforce development programs, neighborhood development programs, litter and blight abatement programs, according to Caddo Parish.
“As the chief law enforcement officer of the parish, I’m not satisfied with their priority for what we need to make our community safer,” said Prator. “And as a taxpayer and property owner in Caddo Parish, I’m not satisfied with the way this is worded or intended to be spent.”
After the initial publication of this article regarding the millage, Caddo Parish Administrator Erica Bryant submitted a written response:
“The Parish developed the criminal justice millage over 18 month process. In addition to discussions with law enforcement, those in the criminal justice system and community partners, we also received recommendations from a Citizens Advisory Committee. Among their recommendations were additional beds, but also funding for crime prevention methods, such as mental health programs.
Our citizens have expressed that they do not feel safe in our community. The Parish’s goal is to increase public safety. We believe that in order to address crime, we must also address issues that lead to criminal activity, such as dilapidated neighborhoods, mental health and neighborhood revitalization.
The millage is written to address needs from incarceration to probation and prevention, including the option for additional bed space. We will continue talking with law enforcement and community partners. If beds are determined to be the priority, then that is something that Commission will consider. However, if this millage does not pass, no additional funding exists for any additional bed space or crime prevention measures.”
To learn more about this 2023 millage proposal, visit the Caddo Parish FAQ website at www.caddo.gov/criminaljustice. This millage will appear on this October’s Election Day ballot.
More:Who’s running for office in Caddo Parish? See the list of who qualified
Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com.
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