LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) - Lafayette City-Parish President Joey Durel is expected to use a community meeting on Tuesday to discuss issues raised during his recent state of the parish address, including a proposal to combine health unit and mosquito abatement taxes and add animal control to the mix.
The Daily Advertiser reported (https://bit.ly/1lZMQzB) that In the address, Durel proposed asking voters to combine two parishwide taxes - which are up for renewal - and to permit animal control operations to be funded using revenue from the same tax.
The mosquito control tax is generating more money than is needed, while there are other needs, such as animal control, that are short of funding, Durel said. The tax originally was approved for a specific use, so officials cannot divert revenue from it for other purposes.
If voters approve the proposal, a new animal control facility could be built using money that is already in reserve, Durel said. The facility would provide a healthier environment for animals and could create a better environment to attract people for pet adoptions.
The City-Parish Council would have to act to place the issue on the fall ballot, Durel said.
Durel plans several community meetings to discuss the issue with residents. The first is on Tuesday at the offices of The Daily Advertiser, 1100 Bertrand Drive. It is open to all.
Other meeting dates and places will be announced on Tuesday.
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Information from: The Advertiser, https://www.theadvertiser.com
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