On the November 8, ballot, a parishwide proposition renewal for the Allen Parish Police Jury asking for four mills, also known as the “Courthouse and Jail Maintenance Tax” will be placed before voters.
Jacob Dillehay, the jury’s parish engineer, said, “The vagueness of the wording of the proposition was required language and was not intentional. The police jury wants the public to know what they are voting for and how the funds will be spent.
“As we have stated before, during the November 8, 2022, Fall Election, the Allen Parish Police Jury will ask its civic minded voters to renew the four (4) mills Courthouse and Jail Maintenance Tax in order to provide for continued routine maintenance and capital improvements of one of the Police Jury’s core governmental functions. Please be aware that this is not a new tax, but a standard tax renewal. This existing property millage is vital to the continued operation of the parish’s courthouse and jail system and 100 percent of the revenue generated by this tax is dedicated to essential parish buildings, housing your judicial system and provide funding for supporting staff and services.”
Dillehay noted the funds generated are earmarked specifically for operation and maintenance of the courthouse square, parish jail and judicial system operation. “Every citizen of the parish should know the courthouse square is located in our parish seat of Oberlin and houses multiple essential public entities and their supporting services, including the:
•District judges offices and parish courtrooms.
•Parish tax assessor’s office.
•Parish clerk of court’s office and public record keeping facilities.
•District attorney’s office and supporting public services.
•Parish’s registrar of voters.
To further support the parish judicial system, Dillehay explained the continued maintenance of the parish jail, funded by this tax, is necessary for the sheriff department to continue to protect the residents of the parish by providing funding and housing for parish criminals and offenders.
“The police jury believes it is important for the residents to know how their tax dollars are spent. Therefore, the police jury has provided a breakdown of the Courthouse and Jail Fund’s annual budget to show how these funds are managed,” he said.
In the chart on page one, compiled by the jury, the breakdown of the millage indicates:
•$15,000 for maintenance of grounds.
•$19,600 for utilities.
•$231,640 for judicial support staff’s salaries, justice of peace, constable work comp, taxes and benefits.
•$1,500 for maintenance of equipment.
•$25,000 for accounting/auditing fees.
•$79,000 for building and other insurances.
•$52,000 for contract services and contract repairs for things like HVAC, plumbing, electrical, etc.
•$23,300 for jail supplies.
•$26,500 for buildings and grounds keeping supplies, gravel and other materials.
•$120,000 for feeding and housing of inmates.
•The four mills in 2021 generated $495,700, and these taxpayers dollars were put toward supporting the courthouse and jail.
Jury members are asking residents of the parish to continue to support this millage by casting a “yes” vote in this election.
