Webster Assessor Denise Edwards is proud to announce that the second Annual Report from the Assessor’s Office will be mailing out to tax payers over the next few weeks. Edwards said she is delighted to keep the citizens of Webster Parish informed on the current operations of her office and keeping the tax base knowledgeable on the kind of figures generated through property taxes that keep our local government working for you. In the report you can study over helpful information such as Tax Roll Overview, Tax Dollars at Work, Special Assessment Levels, Approaches to Values, and The Millage Rate Process and how it works. Edwards says this year’s report will focus on ways tax payers can stay involved and be informed when their local taxing districts are setting their millage throughout the year.
As for the Assessor’s Office, Edwards has again elected to lower the Assessment District millage rate. Within her first two years as Assessor, she has kept the millage lowered and saved the taxpayers of Webster approximately $1M dollars in property taxes. She believes that if her office can run effectively at a lower rate then she has a fiscal responsibility to do so.
So what does that mean and where is your money that was saved? Edwards said it’s all in how a governing entity handles their millage and if they adjust forward or opt not to. She acknowledges that it is important for taxing districts to levy the maximum millage if needed so they have the monies necessary to effectively maintain operations. If a taxing district opts not to adjust their millage forward and receive the max millage then the savings is passed on to the tax base.
This brings us to Amendment 5 which will be on the ballot this November. Edwards wants everyone to understand the importance of this amendment and how it can benefit taxpayers if passed. Currently taxing districts must adjust their millage forward ever so often by State Law in order to keep their max millage. If taxing districts fail to levy their maximum millage this could cause budgetary shortfalls affecting services to the public. If Amendment 5 passes, then taxing districts will not have to levy the maximum just to ensure they keep their max millage. This will allow taxing districts the flexibility to save the tax payers money without fear of losing their max millage option.
If you would like any further information on millage, Amendment 5 or any property tax information, Edwards says her door is always open and she and her staff are happy to assist the public with any questions, concerns or needs. All tax payers should receive an Annual Report by mail, but you can always stop in at the Assessor’s Office to pick up a copy.
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