By Paige Gurgainers

Webster Parish Tax Assessor Denise Edwards was present at this month’s Webster Parish Police Jury (WPPJ) meeting to certify the 2024 Board of Review Report. It was approved unanimously with only LaTanya Grigsby of District 10 absent.  

“It’s reassessment year, so the values went up with inflation and everything,” said Edwards. “We had an overall increase of $32.5 million. $17.6 of that is in real estate, $13.5 is in personal property and $1.4 is public services.” 

There was only one protest against the 2024 Webster Parish Tax roll made by Fusion Flow Control, LLC and they decided to withdraw it prior to the meeting that morning.  

According to Edwards all the millages for the taxing districts have been submitted and approved by the La. Legislative’s Auditor’s Office including the library, school board, police jury, fire districts, law enforcement, assessment district and industrial district.  

Four of those were approved to roll their millage forward and one was not approved.  

“The one not approved, two of their members were absent and so they did not have the two-thirds that is required to roll forward, so they will have to wait until another year,” explained Edwards. 

Of the total 27,267 taxpayers in the parish, 12,066 have homestead and 6,368 of these are one hundred percent covered by the exemption.  

Apart from Sibley and Springhill who send their own tax notices, there will be 27,267 notices out which includes the municipalities of Minden, Doyline, Cotton Valley, Cullen and Sarepta.  

More specifically the WPPJ experienced a net increase of $285,345 after rolling forward compared to last year’s $188,777.  

“That does not take into account for the library,” said Edwards. “It went up $153,071.” 

The WPPJ also approved the Annual Off System Bridge System Requirements for 2024 and multiple board appointments including:  

• Reappointment of Larry Hedrick and Joe Robinson for Heflin Fire Protection District #12 (Two-year term) 
• Reappointment of Yolanda Palmer for Webster Parish Fire Protection District #8 (Two-year term)