Tax commission sees less red in September

By: MICHAEL BORDELON

News Editor

The Evangeline Parish Sales/Use Tax Commission, during its meeting Wednesday, October 22, approved the office’s holiday schedule for Christmas and the New Year and changed the date of its next meeting.

Chairman Terry Savant suggested the board approve closing the office for Christmas Eve, Christmas day and the day after, which is a Friday. The board approved the suggestion and also agreed to close the office New Years Eve and New Years Day.

The board also changed the date of its next meeting, as the regularly scheduled meeting would have fallen on December 24th. The board agreed to move the meeting date to Wednesday, December 17, at 5 p.m.

On a positive note, the board learned tax collections in the parish were steady. Administrator Mike Veillon said many taxing bodies saw an increase in collections when compared to last year, with only three in the red. Those three were Basile, Pine Prairie and Mamou. Overall, the parish’s tax collections increased by $376,207.07. He said collections were strong and he hopes they continue.

Veillon said he suspects some of the increase was due to people buying supplies, food and generators in preparation for the hurricanes. He added it did not appear the economic problems of this country are affecting us as much as many other areas of the nation.

In other business, the board:

•Heard the auditor’s report from Winston Ardoin, who said the parish has received $6,554,332 in collections from the Pine Prairie Energy Center, an increase of $67,000 over the last month.