Patterson council reduces one property tax

PATTERSON –– Property owners will pay a little less in taxes after action Tuesday by the City Council.
The council voted to keep the city’s general purpose property tax at 8.20 mills. The 16-mill tax dedicated to paying off waterworks bonds was decreased by 2 mills in order to prevent a surplus that the city attorney said runs counter to state law.
A mill is 1/10th of a cent of property tax levied on each dollar of a property’s assessed valuation. The assessed valuation of real estate in Louisiana is set at 10 percent of the market value. The state’s homestead exemption generally does not affect city government taxes.
The new 14-mill rate would save the owner of a $100,000 home $20 per year in property taxes.
Independent auditor Alan Taylor of Kolder, Champagne, Slaven & Co. in Franklin recommended the lower millage rate. If the rate isn’t decreased, it will create a surplus in the public improvement funds, which is against the law, Mayor Rodney Grogan said.
“So, it will take the brunt off some of our taxpayers,” Grogan said.