Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator held a public hearing today to determine whether the Sheriff’s Office would “roll forward” property tax millages to collect more revenue, but after hearing from citizens in attendance, the sheriff decided he won’t be asking for more money. Further, he’s challenging other public agencies to do the same. 

Rolling forward is allowed by state law and would have brought in an additional $440,000 for the Sheriff’s Office this year. The Sheriff said he had considered a roll forward to make up for lower sales tax revenues; increased costs for equipment including ammunition, vehicles, and body cameras; and over $4 million in health insurance increases over the past few years.

Six people attended the public hearing, but only two made comments on the possible roll forward. One citizen specifically spoke about how repeated tax bumps and millage increases by various taxing agencies have hurt citizens and their businesses.  

“One thing was clear at today’s hearing. Everyone is hurting,” Prator said. “So we are going to tighten our belts more than ever before and figure out a way to maintain our services without going back to taxpayers.

“I also want to challenge every other public agency that receives property tax revenue to do the same,” the Sheriff said. “Let’s listen to what others in our community are saying and get on board.”

View July 2017 Public Hearing Minutes PDF