August Metro Council Meetings and Green Light Plan Tax/Millage

All twelve of Baton Rouge's Metro Council Districts will be holding meetings in the upcoming weeks. These meetings will include discussion of renewing the Green Light Plan's sales tax as well as a proposed millage that will go towards road maintenance/construction as well as "community enhancement and beautification" projects which could (and some might argue should) see improved sidewalks and bicycle infrastructure in and around Baton Rouge.

It's not yet known if that will be the case, but attending the meetings and asking your metro council members is a sure way to find out.

Should the tax and millage pass through the metro council, Baton Rouge will have a chance to vote on the matter in December.

Per the official press release :


"Mayor-President Melvin L. “Kip” Holden has scheduled a series of 12 public meetings in August to gather public input about the next phase of the Green Light Plan.
 
The proposal calls for a proposed parish-wide 5-mill property, 30-year tax to fund an estimated $452-million in road and street improvements. An estimated $260 million of the project funding would come from bond sales, with the other $192 million coming in the form of pay-as-you-go revenue.
 
The proposed Green Light Program property tax would free up the existing half-cent sales tax for rehabilitation and community road enhancement projects that include neighborhood road rehab, advanced signalization, pedestrian safety features and beautification.
 
The proposed tax would allow the Green Light Program to continue at the same pace as it did for its first 10 years, when it used a portion of the half-cent sales tax for road improvements.
 
The Mayor has scheduled the following public meetings in each council district in August to get public input about possible future projects and funding for the next phase of Green Light Program. The meetings will follow an informal “open house” setting that will include one-on-one discussions and feedback between the public and the staff.
 
Following the public hearings in August, the proposal calls for the Metro Council to consider in September a resolution for a tax December election, when voters would make the final decision"


Each meeting will take place between 5:30pm and 6:30pm at the dates and locations below.
 
District 5 - Tuesday, Aug. 2  
Charles R. Kelly Community Center
3535 Riley Street
 
District 12 - Wednesday, Aug. 3
St. Aloysius Catholic Church Parish Hall
2025 Stuart Avenue
 
District 7- Thursday, Aug. 4
Dr. Martin Luther King Community Center
4000 Gus Young Avenue
 
District 10 - Tuesday, Aug. 9
Dr. Leo S. Butler Community Center
950 Washington E. Street
 
District 4 - Thursday, Aug. 11
Central Branch Library
11260 Joor Road
                                                                    
District 2 - Tuesday, Aug. 16
Scotlandville Branch Library
7373 Scenic Highway
 
District 1 - Wednesday, Aug.17
Zachary Branch Library
1900 Church Street, Zachary
 
District 6 - Thursday, Aug 18
BREC Saia Park
855 N. Donmoor Avenue
 
District 11 - Tuesday, Aug. 23
Main Library, 1st Floor Meeting Room
711 Goodwood Blvd.
 
District 8 - Thursday, Aug. 15
Jones Creek Branch Library
6222 Jones Creek Road
 
District 3 - Tuesday, Aug. 30
Bluebonnet Branch Library
200 Bluebonnet Blvd.
 
District 9 - Wednesday, Aug. 31
Bluebonnet Branch Library
9200 Bluebonnet Blvd.

What district are you in? Check out this map.