The following information has been submitted for your review:
04/28/11: This is link for an early story about the River Park development. I think it was going to be built with private funds originally and then later it was announced that TIF financing would be used for part of it and the special district was also created. I think the TIF financing is supposed to be only for a park inside the development but if you read the actual LA law that creates the district I do not think the funds are that limited. Note that these special districts are subdivisions of the state.
http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/18919299.html?index=1&c=y
Link for the actual LA law relative to the River Park District. If you have time to read the original bill all of the amendments and the notes you can go to the LA legislature website and do a search for SB 611 (2010 session). It is a very good lesson in politics I think.---------
I believe this has already passed in the metro council. There was a public notice in the newspaper and then very soon after that the metro council voted on it. It happened so fast I doubt many people even know about it.
TIFF Ordinance Page 1 - TIFF Ordinance Page 2 - TIFF Ordinance Page 3 - TIFF Ordinance Page 4 - TIFF Ordinance Page 5 - TIFF Ordinance Page 6
FYI I sent the following to all metro council members this morning: 04/28/11
Please read the following from the city-parish government website:
An Ordinance authorizing the City of Baton Rouge, State of
Louisiana to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the
River Park Development District; approving the form and terms of
such Cooperative Endeavor Agreement; authorizing the River Park
Development District to levy an additional sales and use tax and an
additional hotel occupancy tax within its boundaries; and taking
other matters in connection therewith.
It appears to me that laws have been passed to create a loophole in existing
LA State laws regarding limitations on taxation without the approval of
voters in the city-parish. Apparently the rights of taxpayers are being
taken away and almost total power to tax has been given to a board of
appointed commissioners.
Therefore, I am against the above and actually think this type of activity
should be made illegal.
Thank you,
Phillip Lillard