ORANGE — Orange County Commissioners Court voted for the proposed tax rate for 2012 to remain at 0.52990%.
By law the actual tax rate cannot be voted upon until the court has held two public hearings. The hearing are expected to be held:
10 a.m. Thursday, September 6
6 p.m. Tuesday, September 11
The hearings must be held before the county is allowed to adopt a budget for the 2012/2013 fiscal year.
The rate which each individual commissioner voted yes on during the 2 p.m. Monday meeting held in the Commissioners Courtroom may not be the actual rate the court adopts.
By law, the tax rate cannot be greater than the proposed rate but can be equal to or less than the proposed rate.
“My goal is to go below that rate,” County Judge Carl Thibodeaux said.
An individual has expressed an interest in the old Justice of the Peace Three building located on Roundbunch Road.
The commissioners discussed the possibility of having the property appraised and requesting bids for the building.
Owen Burton, commissioner pct 2, asked about problems and legal obligations due to the flooding of the building during Hurricane Ike in 2008.
The building has been abated.
Assistant County Attorney Douglas Manning said he believed full disclosure would be required but will check into the legality issues.
John Dubose, commissioner pct. 3, asked the court to check with Road and Bridge to determine if they needed the building before asking for bids.
The court decided to take no action on the building for now and will readdress the issue after talking to Clark Slacum, county engineer, if he would need the building.
During the departmental reports, Environmental Health and Code Compliance reported collecting $10,056.75 in June and $5,437.50 in July for fees for various permits.
“This is traditional the slow time of year for us,” Joel Ardoin, director of environmental health and code compliance said, “December is much busier when we reissue Food Service Permits for the year.”
