Republicans on Metro Council Prevent Major Property Tax Increases for 2025 Republicans on Metro Council Prevent

Five conservative Republicans on the Metro Council have prevented the imposition of millions of dollars in higher property tax without a vote of the people.

On Wednesday, Sept. 18, the Metro Council voted 7-5 to roll forward 15 different property taxes.  However, passage required a two-thirds’ vote, or 8 of the 12 Council members to agree.

Voting for the tax increase without a vote of the people were all five Democrats on the Council and two Republicans.  Those voting for were Democrats Chauna Banks, Carolyn Coleman, Patricia Derozan, Cleve Dunn Jr., and Darryl Hurst and Republicans Rowdy Gaudet and Jennifer Racca.

Voting against the tax increase were Republicans Laurie Adams, Denise Amoroso, Dwight Hudson, Aaron Moak, and Mayor Pro-Tem Brandon Noel.

Every four years, property is reassessed.  The increased assessments are usually simply a reflection of inflation.  However, local governments that impose property taxes are allowed to roll tax rates forward by a two-thirds’ vote.  This results in a tax increase. Otherwise, property tax rates are rolled back, so that the same amount is collected in taxes each year.  

When property tax rates are rolled back, local government collects the same amount in taxes.  So the action by the Metro Council in defeating the roll forward does not cut revenue for any local government.

Furthermore, local governments automatically collect more in property taxes as a result of new property on the tax rolls and improvements to existing property.  So all local taxing authorities should have higher revenue in 2025 without a tax increase. The following millages will roll back:

• East Baton Rouge Parish Operating Tax from 3.15 to 2.96

• City of Baton Rouge Operating Tax from 5.75 to 5.44

• City of Baton Rouge Three Platoon Police Tax from .87 to 0.82

• EBR Parish Mosquito Abatement and  Rodent Control from .37 to 0.35

• Parish Library from 10.52 to 9.89

• Downtown District from 10.00 to 9.50

• Council on Aging from 2.13 to 2.00

• Mental Health from 1.42 to 1.33

• EMS from 3.13 to 2.94

• Road Lighting No. 1 from 1.85 to 1.71

• Baton Rouge Municipal Fire Salaries & Benefits from 6.00 to 5.68

• Fire District No. 1 from 9.00 to 8.52

• Brownsfield Fire from 10.00 to 8.83, 5.00 to 4.41, and 10.00 8.83

• Three Chaneyville Fire, all from 10.00 to 9.09

• Two Pride Fire from 10.00 to 8.