Baldwin keeps tax millage at same rate

Baldwin will remain revenue neutral when it renews its ad valorem tax next month.
The mayor and board of aldermen announced Thursday during their regular meeting that the millage rate will stay at 11.91 mills.
There was also an introduction of an ordinance to refinance some bond issues at a lower interest rate for a savings of $8,800 a year.
The town has been financially strapped for the last few years and the mayor and board are striving to wrestle in deficits in revenue.
Also Thursday, Mayor Donna Lewis Lanceslin announced that the town has received $15,000 from the St. Mary Parish Council for parks and recreation projects.
Kayron Caesar, representing Baldwin Little League, addressed the board on the upcoming season starting within the next week or two.
There are 10 teams of 10-12 players, Caesar said. Registration is $35 per player, and the league receives funds from sponsors and two yearly fundraisers.
Income compared to expenses creates a tight budget, Caesar said. He said there are lighting and concession stand issues at the town baseball park. UMCOR-Sager Brown has helped with repairs, and the town has supplied water service and purchased a water heater for the concession stand.
The state league tournament in 2016 will be held in Baldwin, Caesar said. “We can only generate so much funding,” he said. “I understand that the town’s broke. I’m in the ball park every day, cutting grass, pushing a rake. I’m doing what I need to do, parents are doing what they need to do.”
He asked the board to “meet us halfway” in support of the league’s needs.
Also seeking town support was Mark Bogan, who said the local Veterans Administration van that brings vets to medical appointments is in need of drivers.
Bogan said the van is currently only running two days a week to the New Orleans clinic. He said he hopes to have a stipend to give a little incentive to potential drivers. “If there’s anything Baldwin can do, outside of the funding, please do,” Bogan said.
In other business, Alderman Margaret Coleman said the beautification committee is seeing less litter. “The word is getting out, and we’re here to try to keep Baldwin clean,” she said. “It’s a $300 fine if you’re caught. I think the word is out, it wasn’t as bad but we still have a lot of improvements to go.”
The next cleanup meeting will be held March 21 at 6:30 at the Baldwin Community Center.
Lanceslin added that visitors to town recently complimented its clean condition.
Jennifer Lanceslin, representing Community of Friends Inc., gave the board an overview of the organization which addresses the needs of persons with disabilities. The organization can be reached at 337-346-1006, and is located in Baldwin at 900 Main Street, Suite A.