May 1st Election to Renew Property Millage

On Saturday, May 1st, there will be an election to decide whether to renew a 3.73 proprty millage. This tax currently accounts for 16.8% of the operating budget of the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office, about $12.3 million. The tax applies to all property in the parish of East Baton Rouge. Those who live in the parish are currently paying this. It is not a new tax. May 1st is a vote to decide whether we keep paying it. According to the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office, the funds raised by this tax help pay for the following services:

• 24-hour patrols on the roads, at schools, and in neighborhoods
• Detectives' investigations
• Community outreach
• Apprehending and retaining accused criminals in the parish prison
• Courtroom security
• Civil services, financial affairs, and routine business in the office

No matter which side you take on this issue, everyone in the parish, including those in Central (who should be out voting for our new Chief of Police, anyway), is encouraged to vote in this election on May 1st.