2026-0148
INTRODUCED BY: MATTHEW JEWELL, PARISH PRESIDENT
(BOND COUNSEL)
RESOLUTION NO. __________
Title
A resolution ordering and calling a special election to be held in the Parish of St. Charles, State of Louisiana, to authorize the renewal of a special tax therein (Recreation) and the levy of a special tax therein (Council on Aging), making application to the State Bond Commission, and providing for other matters in connection therewith.
Body
BE IT RESOLVED by the St. Charles Parish Council (the "Governing Authority"), acting as the governing authority of the Parish of St. Charles, State of Louisiana (the "Parish"), that:
SECTION 1. Election Call. Subject to the approval of the State Bond Commission, and under the authority conferred by the Constitution of the State of Louisiana of 1974, including Article VI, Section 32 thereof, the applicable provisions of the Louisiana Election Code, and other constitutional and statutory authority, a special election is hereby called and ordered to be held in the Parish on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026, between the hours of six o'clock (6:00) a.m. and eight o'clock (8:00) p.m., in accordance with the provisions of La. R.S. 18:541, and at the said election there shall be submitted to all registered voters qualified and entitled to vote at the said election under the Constitution and laws of this State and the Constitution of the United States, the following propositions, to-wit:
PROPOSITION NO. 1 OF 2
(RECREATION MILLAGE RENEWAL)
Shall the Parish of St. Charles, State of Louisiana (the "Parish"), be authorized to continue to levy a 2.68 mills tax on all property subject to taxation in the Parish (an estimated $6,800,000 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), for a period of 10 years, beginning with the year 2028 and ending with the year 2037, for the purpose of constructing, improving, maintaining and operating recreation facilities and programs in the Parish?
PROPOSITION NO. 2 OF 2
(COUNCIL ON AGING IN-LIEU MILLAGE)
Shall Parish of St. Charles, State of Louisiana (the "Parish"), be authorized to levy and collect a special tax of 1.25 mills on all property subject to taxation in the Parish (an estimated $3,200,000 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), for a period of 10 years, beginning with the year 2027 and ending with the year 2036, for the purpose of constructing, improving, maintaining and operating facilities and programs for the elderly in the Parish through the St. Charles Council on Aging Incorporated, said tax to be in lieu of and completely replace separate taxes aggregating 1.8 mills previously authorized, specifically consisting of the following: (i) 1.00 mill tax authorized to be levied in the Parish through the year 2027 pursuant to an election on December 10, 2016, and (ii) 0.8 mills tax authorized to be levied in the Parish through the year 2028 pursuant to an election on November 6, 2018?
SECTION 2. Publication of Notice of Election. A Notice of Special Election shall be published in the official journal of the Parish once a week for four consecutive weeks, with the first publication to be made not less than forty-five (45) days nor more than ninety (90) days prior to the date of the election, which Notice shall be substantially in the form attached hereto as "Exhibit A" and incorporated herein by reference the same as if it were set forth herein in full.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to the publication of the Notice of Election, the Parish President is authorized and directed to make any amendments to the foregoing propositions that may be required to comply with any state or federal regulatory agencies.
SECTION 3. Canvass. This Governing Authority shall meet at its regular meeting place, the Council Chambers, 2nd Floor of the St. Charles Parish Courthouse, 15045 River Road, Hahnville, Louisiana, on MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2026, at 6:00 P.M., and shall then and there in open and public session proceed to examine and canvass the returns and declare the result of the said special election.
SECTION 4. Polling Places. The polling places for the precincts in the Parish are hereby designated as the polling places at which to hold the said elections, and the Commissioners-in-Charge and Commissioners, respectively, will be the same persons as those designated in accordance with law.
SECTION 5. Election Commissioners; Voting Machines. The officers designated to serve as Commissioners-in-Charge and Commissioners pursuant to Section 4 hereof, or such substitutes therefor as may be selected and designated in accordance with La. R.S. 18:1287, shall hold the said special election as herein provided, and shall make due returns of said election for the meeting of the Governing Authority to be held as provided in Section 3 hereof. All registered voters in the Parish will be entitled to vote at the special election, and voting machines shall be used.
SECTION 6. Authorization of Officers. The Secretary of the Governing Authority is hereby empowered, authorized and directed to arrange for and to furnish to said election officers in ample time for the holding of said election, the necessary equipment, forms and other paraphernalia essential to the proper holding of said election and the Chairman and/or Secretary of the Governing Authority are further authorized, empowered and directed to take any and all further action required by State and/or Federal law to arrange for the election.
SECTION 7. Furnishing Election Call to Election Officials. Certified copies of this resolution shall be forwarded to the Secretary of State, the Clerk of Court and Ex-Officio Parish Custodian of Voting Machines of St. Charles Parish and the Registrar of Voters of St. Charles Parish, as notification of the special election, in order that each may prepare for said election and perform their respective functions as required by law.
SECTION 8. Application to State Bond Commission. Application is made to the State Bond Commission for consent and authority to hold the special election as herein provided, and in the event said election carries for further consent and authority to continue to levy and collect the special taxes provided for therein. A certified copy of this resolution shall be forwarded to the State Bond Commission on behalf of this Governing Authority, together with a letter requesting the prompt consideration and approval of this application.
SECTION 9. Employment of Counsel. This Governing Authority finds and determines that a real necessity exists for the employment of special counsel on matters related to the special election, and accordingly, Foley & Judell, L.L.P., is hereby employed as special counsel for said purpose for a term not exceeding one (1) year from the date of this resolution. The fee to be paid said special counsel shall be an amount computed at hourly rate based on the Attorney General's then current Maximum Hourly Fee Schedule, not to exceed $2,000 in the aggregate, together with reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses, and payment for the work herein specified is hereby approved without further action of this Governing Authority as and when invoices are presented. The scope of this legal representation does not involve federal claims.
The foregoing resolution having been submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was as follows:
And the resolution was declared adopted on this, the 20th day of April, 2026.
CHAIRMAN:_________________________________________
SECRETARY:________________________________________
DLVD/PARISH PRESIDENT:____________________________
APPROVED:______________ DISAPPROVED:_____________
PARISH PRESIDENT:_________________________________
RETD/SECRETARY:__________________________________
AT:_______________ RECD BY: ________________________