HOUMA, La. (AP) — Terrebonne Parish voters will be asked this fall for permission to use taxpayer money to build a new Terrebonne Parish Health Unit.

The Parish Council has unanimously agreed to add the measure to the Nov. 6 ballot.

Now, the 1.66 mill property tax that benefits the health unit can be used only for maintenance and operation. Officials want to use some of the $2.6 million saved in the unit's account to build a new health unit.

Voters also will be asked to renew the existing tax. The Courier reports (http://bit.ly/LzQDN8) that the tax is set to expire in 2019. The vote would be on whether to extend it to 2030

Council members stressed that the measure will not mean new taxes.

The first $75,000 of a home's value is exempt from taxes in Louisiana, so the tax costs Terrebonne Parish resident in a $150,000 home about $12.45 annually, The Courier reported.

"I just want to be clear that we did not vote to add a new tax or raise any taxes," Councilwoman Arlanda Williams said. "Let's make sure everyone understands that."

The vote changes wording "to allow the money to be used for construction instead of just operation and maintenance and to charge the tax longer," parish finance director Jamie Elfert said. "But we are not adding a new tax."

___

Information from: The Courier, http://www.houmatoday.com

 

More From News Talk 96.5 KPEL