Parish government is looking for public input on various programs or possible improvements to infrastructure, including a possible tax to fund such improvements.
Parish President Tommy Martinez plans to issue a public opinion poll in the near future to gauge the feelings of parish residents on issues such as purchasing the
Lamar-Dixon Expo Center, a parishwide wastewater treatment program and recreation improvements, among others.
Martinez said executive funds would pay for the survey.
Meanwhile, the parish's recreation department will also release a poll asking a random sampling their thoughts on how the parish could improve on its recreation programs and if poll takers would want to see a possible tax levied to pay for improvements.
Martinez's survey, which would poll a sampling of 400 residents throughout the parish's unincorporated areas, questions the subject as to if they think Ascension Parish is "going in the right direction" or "gotten off track" in terms of government issues. It also asks the individual to rank the two most important problems facing Ascension Parish today, with options including traffic and road conditions, management of growth and development, possible parishwide wastewater treatment, flooding and drainage, improving recreation and improving fire protection and emergency management services.
Also in Martinez' survey, a question asks if the participant would be willing to support a half-cent sales tax idea that could raise approximately $6.5 million annually. The proposal would cost the average household in Ascension Parish $216 per year, with the funds dedicated to "solving problems in Ascension Parish." Questions in the survey ask the participant if they would support the tax if it were dedicated to one of the aforementioned issues.
A question in the survey also asks if the participant knew that the parish government general fund only receives 3 percent of all property tax revenues in the parish, while the rest goes to the School Board, Sheriff's Office and other governmental entities.
A corresponding question asks the participant if they believe this is enough of a percentage for parish government to solve important parish problems.
Concerning the purchase of the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center, Martinez' survey asks if residents would be in favor of a 3 mill property tax, which would cost the average household $27 annually, to fund purchasing the 250-acre, multi-use facility and expanding it to host more varied events.
Participants will also be asked if they favor additional funding being appropriated to parish fire protection agencies for expansion of services, including hiring full-time firefighters and adding stations and equipment.
