By Emily Burleigh

Leesville residents will vote on a tax renewal in December.

Voters will approve or deny a renewal of the 15-year 8.5 mills tax on the Dec. 7 ballots. Leesville Mayor Rick Allen said at a meeting on Monday, November 25 that the sales tax up for renewal funds the city’s sewer maintenance. Annually, it generates $500,000 for the fund.

The consequences would be “catastrophic” for Leesville’s homeowners if the tax were not renewed, he said.

“Right now, that burden is shared by everyone who comes into the City of Leesville and purchases things. If that burden is not shared by everybody who comes in, then it will fall on the property owners.”

A $500,000 deficit would be “automatic” if denied, he said, and a spike in sewer rates would be needed to make up for the loss.

“That’s the last thing we want to do,” he said.“It is very important that the citizens of Leesville get this passed, get this renewed so that we can continue to operate with a surplus like we do currently.”

He said since the December ballot is small, citizens must go out and vote.

“Getting people out to vote on things like this is difficult in itself.”

Property Tax Notices

City Administrator Patti Larney said this year’s property tax notices will be sent out later than usual. The City has worked with the Tax Assessor’s Office and the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Department to get the notices sent out.

Homeowners can expect their property tax notices “closer to mid-December,” she said.

Splash Pad

Council Member Delain Perkins Prewitt, District 4, said at the meeting that she has received public questions and “unhappiness” about the City’s decision to close the public pool.

In August, the council voted to allow the city to develop a plan to replace the Leesville Leisure Pool with a splash pad.

Allen reaffirmed at the November meeting that the pool was not cost-effective, citing a loss of two inches of water per day due to damages and an inability to staff lifeguards. He also noted a “significant amount of vandalism.”

“We’re trying to eliminate some liability and some costs, and offer a service that we believe will be utilized the kids of the city.”

The council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the City to submit a Request for Proposals for the construction of the splash pad at the municipal recreational complex.