Tax

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Tax

At a Glance

Director (Vacant)

Employees 9

Ad Valorem Taxes $87,332,600

Auto Collections $1,548,200

Sale of Gaming Licenses $408,900

Redemption of Sold or Adjudicated Property $618,500

Tax Sale Collections $860,800

Tax

The Tax Division entered a new era with the transition to new tax collection software and interfacing financial accounting and reporting systems.

The 1996 property tax notices were redesigned to accommodate the new mail lockbox operation and provide as much information as possible to the property owner. The printing, mailing and lock box services were all outsourced as a pilot project in 1996. This processing change expedited the mailing of the 88,000 tax notices and improved the efficiency of posting payments, investing funds and distributing tax revenues to parish entities.

A PC-based program was developed and used for Wildlife and Fisheries license collections to provide adequate tracking of license inventory, reconciliation of funds and generation of reports.

The last quarter of the year brought more change to the department with a loss of three employees, including the division director. A management study was conducted by an independent consultant to identify organizational-structure and work -flow problems before restaffing. During Phase I of the project, specialist and collection positions were filled according to the departmental restructuring plan recommended to redefine job responsibilities and create a customer-focused environment. Although the search continues for the position of tax director, the department is operating with the leadership of tax manager and the comptroller.

Plans for Phase II of the management study for the next fiscal year will involve preparing documentation for detailed standard operating procedures. Phase II will also address Phase I recommendations for customer service training and physical improvements to the office to promote a customer-friendly atmosphere.