By ROBIN SHANNON

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – Voters in St. John Parish will go to the polls this summer to decide on a bond issue to be used on a series of parish improvements, after the St. John Council approved the $25 million package at Tuesday’s meeting.

Parish President Bill Hubbard told the council that the bond will be financed through existing property taxes, and would not require any new taxes to be levied on the parish.

“This is an opportunity to show our citizens what we can really get done,” said Hubbard after the meeting. “We shall see if the voters think we are worthy of the improvements in the parish.”

Hubbard said after several meetings with council members, the administration devised a specific list of parish projects that the money could be used on.

St. John Public Information Officer Buddy Boe provided a breakdown of the project list:

$5 million is slated to go toward construction and improvement of public buildings, including expansion of the governmental complex. The Council approved a $62,000 contract with an architectural firm last month to determine if the parish needs any new government buildings.

Boe said $9.5 million will go toward drainage improvements in regard to pumps, canals and drains throughout the parish. Boe said $4 million of that would be set aside to go toward construction of a hurricane levee in St. John.

Boe said another $5 million is set for improvements to the parish waterworks system, and construction of a new water tower. He said about $3 million of that will go toward expansion of the water system plants in Lyons and Ruddock.

The administration has scheduled $2.5 million to go toward construction, repairs, and improvements to parks, playgrounds, and parish recreational facilities. Boe said part of that money would be dedicated to a new gymnasium somewhere in the parish. He said a site has yet to be determined.

Boe said the final $3 million would be for construction and improvement on public roads and highways, including improvement and expansion of Woodland Drive to Belle Terre Boulevard.

Boe said the bond issue will be voted on in a special election scheduled for July 19. Also on that ballot will be the renewal of a millage that brings in $125,000 for the parish mosquito abatement program. Boe stressed that it is just a renewal, and no new taxes would be levied.

After the vote, Councilman Steve Lee said he was pleased the council approved the bond issue, and he hopes the citizens of the parish also agree.

“This is money the parish could really use on much needed improvements,” said Lee. “I hope the voters do the right thing and approve this bond issue, especially since it secures money for levee protection.”

Voters in St. John last approved a bond issue back in 2002, when the parish asked for $18 million, which was used for recreation, drainage, street repairs, and construction of the community center on Highway 51.

Other action at Tuesday’s meeting included council approval of two new code enforcement officers, Gregory Taylor of Division A, and Deborah Lavie from Division B. This brings the total number of employed officers back to four.