LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / July 19, 2000

HAHNVILLE – All four propositions met voter approval in St. CharlesParish’s tax elections Saturday. However, only 7 to 8 percent of theparish’s 30,718 voters cast their ballots, according to Clerk of Court Charles Oubre Jr.

Mary desBordes, director of the St. Charles Parish Library, commented,”I’m feeling really gratified that the people of St. Charles Parishrecognize the value of their library, so we can give them the best possible service.”The votes cast were 1,366 in favor and 1,004 against the millage proposal in unofficial returns. The library system plans a significant expansion forthe East Regional branch in Destrehan and construction of a new branch in St. Rose.Voters renewed the existing millage of 2.95 mills and increased it by 1.95mills for the next 10 years. The library system has been funded by adedicated millage since its inception in 1956.

Also Saturday, voters approved an increase from 0.49 mills to 1.0 mill forthe St. Charles Communications District. The additional funds were neededto pay for the operation and maintenance of the new 800-MHz radio system and for adding four new operator positions at an additional station in the 9-1-1 Center in Hahnville.

The votes cast were 1,375 in favor of the 9-1-1 funding and 954 against in unofficial returns.

A new .65-mill tax to fund a new parish health unit also passed with1,209 in favor and 937 against, in unofficial returns.

Nursing supervisor Gail Hollins said the long-overdue new health unit is to be built at Milling Avenue and Angus Drive, behind Ellington Swim Club.

Parish grand jury reports for years have reported substandard conditions at the present 2,000-square-foot facility on Post Street.

Hollins said the facility is vital to the parish, as it routinely checks drinking water quality, checks for sanitary conditions in restaurants, provides a multitude of services for the economically-disadvantaged (from immunizations to family planning to nutrition services) and maintains the office of vital records.

“I’m excited…elated beyond words,” Hollins added. “We’re looking forwardto serving the people of St. Charles Parish with a facility the parish canbe proud of.”Finally, voters renewed the current 2.69-mill property tax for roadlighting by a margin of 1,457 favoring and 895 against, in unofficial returns.

The taxes will generate the following annual amounts: 9-1-1 millage will generate $596,000; library millage will generate $2,920,000; health unit millage will generate 4387,000; and road lighting millage will generate $1,603,000, according to bond attorney Jerry Osborne.

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