re: What are your thoughts on St. George?

quote:

---

Now, BTR has to look see who is left for it to collect revenue from. Whose left? The poor and industry. BTR has some hard choices - that need to be made.

---

The main issue with the funding is BRPD as the $50 million in sales tax taken from St. George businesses and used to pad the general fund. Which was then used to pay for BRPD and BRFD.

That $50 million shortfall needs to be made up somewhere. My prediction is that BRPD will fold into EBRSO, and will be funded by the State. The other option will be to raise taxes in Baton Rouge (either a dedicated property tax or increase the general fund property tax.)

Or the 3rd option which won't happen is budget cuts where City Hall has the power to cut the budget. Popular targets on this board for cuts are COA and BREC which are "self-funded" through parish wide property taxes and receive $0 from the City-Parish Government. Same with CATS in BR/Baker.

The real pain will come once St. George sets up it's own school district, which will absolutely gut the EBRPSS revenue which is currently funded by parish wide property taxes (minus Baker, Central, Zachary ISDs.)