Ad valorem millages for 2015 adopted

The setting of ad valorem millages for the 2015 tax roll highlighted a otherwise routine meeting of the Crowley City Council here Tuesday night.
As recommended by the council’s Revenue and Finance Committee, property taxes — totalling 30.25 mills — to be levied on all property subject to taxation for 2015 will include:
• General alimony (corporation tax): 7 mills;
• Street maintenance tax: 5 mills;
• Public buildings and drainage tax: 5 mills;
• Public recreation and parks tax: 3 mills;
• Wastewater disposal facility maintenance tax: 3.5 mills;
• Cemetery maintenance tax: 0.75 mills;
• Youth recreation building tax: 1 mill; and
• Fireman and police salary tax: 5 mills.
The resolution setting the millages was adopted by unanimous roll call vote with Kitty Valdetero and Ezora Proctor absent.
In other action during the 25-minute meeting, council members introduced an ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances relative to animals and fowl within the corporate limits of the city.
The new ordinance includes a lengthy and detailed list of definitions, describing everything from “adult” pets to types of enclosures and sets forth regulations to identify “breeders” of animals.
Also included in the six-page document are articles pertaining to the ownership and tagging of animals, regulations mandating the immunization and vaccination of animals, the creation and operation of dog/cat kennels and more.
“This is really to more organize our code of ordinances governing the keeping of animals in the city,” said Mayor Greg Jones.
“Right now we have an ordinance for this and an ordinance for that — this will tie it all together.”
Jones said City Attorney Tom Regan has been working on the proposals “for months” and it is now ready for introduction and possible adoption.
A public hearing on the new ordinance will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, just prior to the council meeting at which adoption will be considered.
A number of items offered for consideration by the Utility Committee dealt with ongoing work at the city’s waste water treatment facility.
The council approved:
• Partial Payment No. 2 to Guinn Construction, LLC, for repairs to the Facultative Pond Levee and Ultraviolet Disinfection Systems in the amount of $177,373.08;
• Change Order No. 1 for Guinn Construction on the same project in the amount of $44,236.50;
• Change Order No. 2 for Guinn Construction on the same project in the amount of $805.
Tim Mader, city engineer, explained that the change orders are necessary to cover costs of items or work not expected in the original contract agreement.
The council also approved Partial Payment No. 1 to Trek, Inc., in the amount of $149,158.53 for the installation of floating aerators at the facility.
That work is part of a Louisiana Community Development Block Grant.
During the Mayor’s Report, Jones noted that sales tax revenues in the city are up while sewer user fees show a decrease.
“With all the wet weather we’ve been having, the decrease in the user fees is not surprising,” Jones said.
“However,” he continued, “sales tax revenues are up about 3.5 percent and that’s good news and I want to thank everyone shopping in Crowley.”
Comparing the nine months of FY 2015 to 2014, the city has realized an increase of $197,094, or 3.62 percent, in sales tax collections.
During that same period, sewer user fees are down $45,133, or 3.83 percent.