Vote Saturday, May 4

​Dear St. Charles Association Members and Supporters:
 
This Saturday, May 4, the citizens of New Orleans will vote on a 20-year renewal of 6.31 mils in property taxes.  This is not a tax increase; it is an extension of an existing tax and a more equitable redistribution of that tax.
 
Currently, two property taxes totaling 6.31 mils expire in 2020 and 2021.  The current property tax benefits the New Orleans Recreation Department Commission ("NORDC"), Parks and Parkways and the Audubon Commission/Audubon Institute ("Audubon") as follows:  NORDC – $5,000,000; Parks and Parkways – $5,000,000; and Audubon – $10,800,000.
 
If approved, the renewed tax will remain at 6.31 mils for 20 years but it will now be divided among NORDC, Parks and Parkways, Audubon and – for the first time in its 169 year history – City Park as follows: NORDC – $6,400,000; Parks and Parkways – $6,000,000; Audubon – $6,400,000; and City Park – $2,000,000.
 
At our last meeting, your Board of Directors voted to endorse the millage as it will provide greater resources to Parks and Parkways (which maintains the St. Charles Avenue neutral ground and live oak trees),  NORDC (which maintains parks and play-spots such as Danneel Park fronting on the Avenue), and Audubon Park.   This is an important election and we encourage our members and supporters to vote on May 4.   
 
Should you want additional information on the millage, the most accurate and complete explanation of the proposal is contained in the Bureau of Governmental Research ("BGR") report, which the BGR recently issued when it recommended that the millage be adopted. 
 
Thank you for your consideration of the millage proposal.  And remember, May 4 is a Jazz Fest Saturday – so be sure to vote early.
 
Paul J. Masinter,
President, St. Charles Avenue Association

> View the BGR Report