NEW ORLEANS — As people face the hard reality that property values are rising in Orleans Parish, the city council is trying to keep property taxes from going up even more.
They are asking other agencies that get tax dollars, to join them, and voluntarily not raise the amount they get from tax millages. This comes at a time when some people say they are in fear of losing their homes.
Seventh Ward resident Alvin Abbott came to City Hall Monday over his increasing property tax bill.
“Now instead of paying $900 in taxes, I'm paying like $2,000 in property taxes. I don't have no choice. I can't afford it, but I don't want to lose my home,” said Alvin Abbott, 59.
Certified HUD counselor and real estate agent, Mary Adams is hearing from homeowners.
“I have calls and clients that can not pay their house note. They're behind two and three months, because of the increase in insurance, as well as the taxes,” said Mary Adams.
And that is why every member of the New Orleans City Council, signed a letter Monday and sent it to all of the agencies that get money from your tax dollars based on a millage.
- ORLEANS TAX RECIPIENT AGENCIES THAT SET MILLAGE
- NEW ORLEANS CITY COUNCIL
- ORLEANS SCHOOL BOARD
- SEWERAGE & WATER BOARD
- ORLEANS SHERIFF
- AUDUBON COMMISSION
- EAST BANK LEVEE DISTRICT
- ALKOGIERS LEVEE DISTRICT
- CITY PARK IMPROVEMENT ASSO.
- DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT
- -TOURO BOULIGNY SECURITY DIST.
By law, when the property values rise, and you have to pay higher property taxes, the millages are rolled back. The agencies still get the same funding, or maybe more, but they have the option to roll the millages forward, making an even higher tax bill for you.
“The cost of everything has gone up so much: insurance, utilities, cost of goods, all have increased, and so we just don't want people to unnecessarily increase residents' tax burden,” explained District A Councilman Joseph Giarrusso, III.
The City Council has agreed to remain revenue neutral.
“Some of you have millages that are going to be on this ballot,” Giarrusso said about the taxing agencies. “A bunch of millages have lost recently. Think about what the public is telling you. So, it was really important to send a strong message to everybody else, please be in lockstep with us on this.”
Some homeowners don't know what they'll do.
“Their house note was $800. Now it's $1,500. He gets $800 a month, and she gets $1,200 a month,” Adams said about one couple who called her.
Abbott says it will be difficult making ends meet. “Sometimes you got to go without paying electric bill.”
And those bills have gone way up too.
The other agencies have until around December 1 to make decisions on taxes.
And, don't forget you have from now through August 18 to contest your new property assessment value.
If you're 65 or older, or permanently disabled, you can apply to freeze your tax assessment. You can go to the Orleans assessor’s office or online for help, our you can call Mary Adams’ agency at 504-321-7971 for help.