St. George City Incorporation News

[ehyfield]

Hey ehyfield, is this seat taken? ::reaches over and grabs a hand full of popcorn::

Not at all. Have a seat.

Edited April 24, 2014 by ehyfield

[richyb83]

Much at stake with Mall of Louisiana annexation...Mall of Louisiana has become a tax-rich battleground in the campaign to create the city of St. George

 

http://theadvocate.com/home/9001028-125/much-at-stake-with-mall

[Mr. Burnham]

Still generally confussed about St. George, but this was in the Advocate. I think it speaks in volumes: 

 

St. George residents want school control, NOT city

http://theadvocate.com/home/9035135-125/st-george-residents-want-schools

[garrett_225]

Still generally confussed about St. George, but this was in the Advocate. I think it speaks in volumes: 

 

St. George residents want school control, NOT city

http://theadvocate.com/home/9035135-125/st-george-residents-want-schools

 

I'll break it down for you, if I can...its been a long and convoluted road, really. This all begins with the general failure we know as East Baton Rouge Parish Public Schools. The swath of EBR parish south of 1-12, north of I-10, and west of the Amite River proposed breaking off from EBR parish schools and creating their own school district. This was to be known as the Southeast Baton Rouge School District. The residents tried to form this school district repeatedly in the hopes of securing better public education for their children, the same way that Zachary and Central did by breaking away and forming their own community school districts--but the effort to SEBR School District was blocked. 

 

They tried to do it the easy way, but were told no. The only other option was incorporation, which would entitle the area to create their own school district. In order to financially support a new municipality, the boundaries of the proposed city were expanded south of I-10 to include all unincorporated areas in southeastern EBR Parish--think big tax producers like Mall of Louisiana, Seigen Lane, Perkins Rowe, L'Auberge Casino, etc. 

 

The important thing to realize is that the residents tried time and time again to get control of their neighborhood schools the simpler way--the way successful districts like Zachary were allowed to. The incorporation is not what they wanted; its simply the only alternative to wrestle control of their schools away from the totally incompetent hands of EBR Parish Schools. 

Edited April 30, 2014 by garrett_225

[Mr. Burnham]

I'll break it down for you. This all begins with the general failure we know as East Baton Rouge Parish Public Schools. The swath of EBR parish south of 1-12, north of I-10, and west of the Amite River proposed breaking off from EBR parish schools and creating their own school district. This was to be known as the Southeast Baton Rouge School District. The residents tried to form this school district repeatedly in the hopes of securing better public education for their children, the same way that Zachary and Central did by breaking away and forming their own community school districts--but the effort to SEBR School District was blocked. 

 

They tried to do it the easy way, but were told no. The only other option was incorporation, which would entitle the area to create their own school district. In order to financially support a new municipality, the boundaries of the proposed city were expanded south of I-10 to include all unincorporated areas in southeastern EBR Parish--think big tax producers like Mall of Louisiana, Seigen Lane, Perkins Rowe, L'Auberge Casino, etc. 

 

The important thing to realize is that the residents tried time and time again to get control of their neighborhood schools the simple way--the way successful districts like Zachary were allowed to. The incorporation is not what they wanted; its simply the only alternative to wrestle control of their schools away from the totally incompetent hands of EBR Parish Schools. 

This is sad, shows how terrible our government is. Just let them have the damn school district...alas this will just go down in flames. 

 

Would be smart if EBR allowed for multiple school districts throughout the city (Midtown District, South BR District, North BR district, Downtown District). 

[garrett_225]

This is sad, shows how terrible our government is. Just let them have the damn school district...alas this will just go down in flames. 

 

Would be smart if EBR allowed for multiple school districts throughout the city (Midtown District, South BR District, North BR district, Downtown District). 

 

I really think that would've created less animosity. Now we've got this really embarrassing land grab thing going on, with city of Baton Rouge desperately trying to snatch up the tax producers before an incorporation can happen. It's really sad that its come to this, IMO.

Edited April 30, 2014 by garrett_225

[cajun]

I really think that would've created less animosity. Now we've got this really embarrassing land grab thing going on, with city of Baton Rouge desperately trying to snatch up the tax producers before an incorporation can happen. It's really sad that its come to this, IMO.

You are correct. The way some in Baton Rouge has responded to this highlighted how much they have to lose. I'd have liked to see a school district setup without incorporation....but this is a fine plan B. It would be better in the long term for EBR when St George's school district is up and running.

[Mr. Burnham]

You are correct. The way some in Baton Rouge has responded to this highlighted how much they have to lose. I'd have liked to see a school district setup without incorporation....but this is a fine plan B. It would be better in the long term for EBR when St George's school district is up and running.

But not for the city in general, unless of course it was just the school district. 

[cajun]

But not for the city in general, unless of course it was just the school district.

I think Baton Rouge will be just fine....and the proximity to a good school district will help the city attract companies. Not everyone will want to live in St George, and the people that do will be making the choice to stay in East Baton Rouge rather than some distant suburb down I-10 and I-12.

It's better for everyone if the Capitol area has an abundance of housing options with an assortment of school choices for new residents.

Baton Rouge will have to learn to live within their means or cough up the revenue to cover their expensive fire service and generous pensions. A city of 225,000 can handle a $14 million shortfall.

They shouldn't be dependent on tax revenue generated outside of their boundaries anyway, and they should not be using unincorporated parts of the parish as a colony. A sustainable city can pay for the services they provide.....and Baton Rouge doesn't need help to do that.

Edited May 1, 2014 by cajun

[Antrell Williams]

Baton Rouge will have to learn to live within their means or cough up the revenue to cover their expensive fire service and generous pensions. A city of 225,000 can handle a $14 million shortfall.

 

That amount is biased, we don't know how much the shortfall is, and it's very hard to believe that those companies only amount to $14m in taxes.

[Mr. Burnham]

I think Baton Rouge will be just fine....and the proximity to a good school district will help the city attract companies. Not everyone will want to live in St George, and the people that do will be making the choice to stay in East Baton Rouge rather than some distant suburb down I-10 and I-12.

It's better for everyone if the Capitol area has an abundance of housing options with an assortment of school choices for new residents.

Baton Rouge will have to learn to live within their means or cough up the revenue to cover their expensive fire service and generous pensions. A city of 225,000 can handle a $14 million shortfall.

They shouldn't be dependent on tax revenue generated outside of their boundaries anyway, and they should not be using unincorporated parts of the parish as a colony. A sustainable city can pay for the services they provide.....and Baton Rouge doesn't need help to do that.

Would it not be better for the whole region if everyone had good schools? Wouldn't the same thing be accomplished if St. George as apart of the city but had its own school district? Why go through the danger of starting a new city when you could accomplish the same with just a school district? 

 

Also the population is 230,500, I think metro wise it has grown to almost 900,000. 

[cajun]

Would it not be better for the whole region if everyone had good schools? Wouldn't the same thing be accomplished if St. George as apart of the city but had its own school district? Why go through the danger of starting a new city when you could accomplish the same with just a school district?

Also the population is 230,500, I think metro wise it has grown to almost 900,000.

They tried to separate from EBR schools twice since 2011. The state legislature almost passed the bill that would have allowed it, but many key votes were more comfortable supporting a municipal district the way that Central had done. When it was clear that the votes were not quite there, the sponsor of the bill (senator White from Central) tabled it. It was amended to include all unincorporated parts of EBR in addition to the area south of I-12 in the original bill. That will be the basis of the St George municipal school vote, likely to occur next year in the state legislature after St George incorporates.

Many Baton Rouge legislators voted against the independent school district, BTW. They could have had good schools without a new city but they refused to consider it. What you are seeing today is plan B.

Frankly, the people in that area have the right to setup their own city and exist as a municipality just the way Baton Rouge does today. They should look out for their own interest.....which IMO is aligned with the best interest of the parish as a whole. The Capitol area will be far more competitive with a new school district in southern EBR....and in the long run, Baton Rouge will be better off. St George will also have the power to control their own planning, zoning, taxes, and law enforcement. If they so choose in a vote imitative, they can tax themselves to build new roads or schools. They will control their own destiny just like Baton Rouge and Central do.

I can certainly envision a metro area with a core city of young professions, students, and wealthy families with more middle class options in St George, Central, and Zachary. This is the best option to undermine urban sprawl that I've seen from any entity in East Baton Rouge because it eliminates the main reason to move to the outlying parishes (public schools).

Edited May 1, 2014 by cajun

[Mr. Burnham]

They tried to separate from EBR schools twice since 2011. The state legislature almost passed the bill that would have allowed it, but many key votes were more comfortable supporting a municipal district the way that Central had done. When it was clear that the votes were not quite there, the sponsor of the bill (senator White from Central) tabled it. It was amended to include all unincorporated parts of EBR in addition to the area south of I-12 in the original bill. That will be the basis of the St George municipal school vote, likely to occur next year in the state legislature after St George incorporates.

Many Baton Rouge legislators voted against the independent school district, BTW. They could have had good schools without a new city but they refused to consider it. What you are seeing today is plan B.

Frankly, the people in that area have the right to setup their own city and exist as a municipality just the way Baton Rouge does today. They should look out for their own interest.....which IMO is aligned with the best interest of the parish as a whole. The Capitol area will be far more competitive with a new school district in southern EBR....and in the long run, Baton Rouge will be better off. St George will also have the power to control their own planning, zoning, taxes, and law enforcement. If they so choose in a vote imitative, they can tax themselves to build new roads or schools. They will control their own destiny just like Baton Rouge and Central do.

I can certainly envision a metro area with a core city of young professions, students, and wealthy families with more middle class options in St George, Central, and Zachary. This is the best option to undermine urban sprawl that I've seen from any entity in East Baton Rouge because it eliminates the main reason to move to the outlying parishes (public schools).

I agree, just if they get the mall and it's surroundings St. George as a city is dead. 

[cajun]

I agree, just if they get the mall and it's surroundings St. George as a city is dead.

That's the latest fear mongering point. The Mall of La is made up of dozens of different property owners who would all have to agree to be annexed. The development is not currently adjacent to the city of Baton Rouge - so as of now, it can't be annexed.

The Advocate laid this all out recently. It generates about $7 million in annual sales tax revenue. In the extremely unlikely event that the stars line up and the Mall of Louisiana is annexed (along with everything else in between it and the city limits), it will not cripple any St George incorporation efforts, and it will not solve Baton Rouge's potential revenue problem.

What does depend on the Mall of Louisiana now is the St George fire district (which is one of two smaller fire districts currently existing within the boundaries of the proposed city of St George). If the Mall of Louisiana property is annexed, they'd face a potentially serious loss of property tax revenue. Their pensions, pay, and operating costs would be at serious risk.

Edited May 2, 2014 by cajun

[Mr. Burnham]

That's the latest fear mongering point. The Mall of La is made up of dozens of different property owners who would all have to agree to be annexed. The development is not currently adjacent to the city of Baton Rouge - so as of now, it can't be annexed.

The Advocate laid this all out recently. It generates about $7 million in annual sales tax revenue. In the extremely unlikely event that the stars line up and the Mall of Louisiana is annexed (along with everything else in between it and the city limits), it will not cripple any St George incorporation efforts, and it will not solve Baton Rouge's potential revenue problem.

What does depend on the Mall of Louisiana now is the St George fire district (which is one of two smaller fire districts currently existing within the boundaries of the proposed city of St George). If the Mall of Louisiana property is annexed, they'd face a potentially serious loss of property tax revenue. Their pensions, pay, and operating costs would be at serious risk.

The city (St. George) would loose it's main money makers if this happened.

[richyb83]

St. George spokesman: Annexation of hospitals, Mall of La. 'could stop everything'

 

http://www.businessreport.com/article/20140505/BUSINESSREPORT0112/140509915

[timelordnerd]

St. George spokesman: Annexation of hospitals, Mall of La. 'could stop everything'

 

http://www.businessreport.com/article/20140505/BUSINESSREPORT0112/140509915

        

[all2neat]

TLN,

As a homeowner in Ascension this happening will only benefit me. Many will leave as schools deteriorate. Many already have. This is a turning point for sure.

[itsjustme3]

Do you even know why you're happy about EBR schools staying awful? Do you know why you're happy that middle class families will continue to flee EBR?

[dan326]

I kind of hope St. George does get created. I think it would be good for everyone although I do wonder why the hospitals want to be included.

[garrett_225]

Do you even know why you're happy about EBR schools staying awful? Do you know why you're happy that middle class families will continue to flee EBR?

 

I think you know the answer 

[Antrell Williams]

I kind of hope St. George does get created. I think it would be good for everyone although I do wonder why the hospitals want to be included.

Not sure why they want to be in Baton Rouge but it says something about St. George if they don't want to be a part of it.

[itsjustme3]

I wouldn't be surprised if there are some tax break promises.

[Mr. Burnham]

I wouldn't be surprised if there are some tax break promises.

No they are just willing to do this freely 

[Renzo]

I'm worried that if this effectively kills the St. George incorporation that BR will think that their school troubles were solved and they will stay mediocre. Hopefully this at least gets eyes open.