By Paige Gurgainers
The Webster Parish Tax Assessor’s Office has released their 2024 Annual Report for Webster Parish. This makes the fourth annual report made public in an effort to keep citizens informed and educated on the assessment process and the operations of the Assessor’s Office.
A key point made in the introduction by Webster Parish Assessor Denise Edwards included the lowering of the millage rate for 2023 saving the taxpayers $500,000 which brings the total amount saved to 1.5 million over the last four years.
“We plan to continue to be fiscally responsible, good stewards of taxpayer money and keep the millage rate for our office as low as possible,” said Edwards.
The tax roll which includes all taxable property in Webster Parish increased by approximately $19.4 million in assessed value. The millages applied to these properties generated around $30.4 million for the year. Of that $30.4 million 73 percent is taxable with 27 percent qualifying for homestead, industrial or other exemptions.
According to the report, the average parish millage rate for Webster Parish equaled 107.83 with municipalities coming to 9.69. These included school board, law enforcement, library, fire districts, police jury, assessment district and industrial district.
We are currently in a reassessment year. The La. Constitution requires that all taxable property be appraised and re-valued every four years. In 2024, this could influence the value of your home or business as well as the millage rates of various taxing bodies that levy the mileages within the parish. The tax assessor’s office uses three approaches make these evaluations. First is the market approach which includes estimating a property’s value by comparable sales. Second is the income approach which is used to convert property ownership benefits into present value estimates. Finally, the cost approach which determines the replacement cost of a property.
The Webster Parish Tax Assessor’s Office will be available to answer questions and address concerns during this period. Citizens are also encouraged to download their mobile app which will allow access to property searches, tax estimators and upcoming events. It is informative and allows users to download forms, ask questions and apply for homestead if applicable.