Latest on the Bogalusa Council's Tax Proposals

At their meeting on August 7, 2018, the Bogalusa Council approved three resolutions designed to address the underfunding of the City of Bogalusa's Employee's Retirement System (COBERS). The system's funding mechanism has proven inadequate over the years and, as of the end of 2017, the City has a net pension liability of more than $22 million. This is one of the reasons that the LLA has told the Council that a state takeover of the City's government may occur.

However, Mayor Wendy Perrette is quoted in a Bogalusa Daily News article as stating the Council “did not follow proper procedures and Tuesday’s actions will likely need to be rescinded.” Councilwoman Gloria Kates responded that the allegations were "ludicrous and an executive body witch hunt". Click here to read the article

THE LATEST
On August 17, 2018, the City posted Notices that include Notice of Public Meeting (to be held on September 18, 2018) and a second Notice of Public Meeting (for the September 21, 2018 Council meeting, including the Agenda). Click here to read the Notices

Apparently, the Council will consider a resolution on August 21, 2018 to repeal the resolution approved on August 7, 2018; also, the Council will consider a resolution(s) on September 18, 2018 to call a special election on December 8, 2018 asking voters to

• (i) authorize the levy of a new 3-mill property tax in the City for the purpose of paying retirement and pension benefits to the City of Bogalusa Employees Retirement System (“COBERS”), 
• (ii) rededicate 12.5% of the City’s 1% Sales Tax approved at an election held on March 15, 1955, for purpose of paying retirement and pension benefits to COBERS, and 
• (iii) rededicate half of the City’s 1/4 % Sales Tax approved at an election held on November 17, 2007, for purpose of paying retirement and pension benefits to COBERS. 

The Council was advised by Bradley Cryer, Assistant Legislative Auditor and Director of Local Government Audit Services, on July 18, 2018 that they have until September 30, 2018 to provide a firm corrective action plan or face the very real possibility that the City would be placed under a fiscal administrator. Click here to read the article and view the video