Questions Arise About the Appraised Value of N.O. Properties

Summary

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The City Council budget hearings have at times resembled a soup line with needy department heads, hats in hand, pleading for alms.

The district attorney and Criminal District Court judges all took turns before the council, making desperate appeals for additional funds to save vital services such as the witness protection program and the mental health court threatened by millions in proposed cuts.

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Extract

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Questions Arise About the Appraised Value of N.O. Properties

"The criminal element is not going to downsize," Judge Julian Parker told the council. "They're not going to slow down."

In order to meet these and other needs, the council members are considering an increase in property taxes that are already 27 mills higher than Metairie's -- 130 versus 102.7.

And to compensate for the $68 million budget shortfall, they are evaluating a proposal to cut the wages of City Hall employees, some who make as little as $20,000, by at least 5 percent.

These are tough times all around and sacrifices have to be made, goes the rallying cry.

But such measures are not necessary, said Nancy Marshall, the 6th Municipal District assessor.

The city is already sitting on a pot of gold, enough funds to cover these requests, eliminate the need to cut city sala...

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