§130.565. Fees and ad valorem tax; borrowing money

A.(1) The board of commissioners may, when necessary, levy annually an ad valorem tax not to exceed six-tenths of one mill on the dollar of assessed valuation of all property, provided that the amount, term, and purpose of said tax, as set out in a proposition submitted to a vote in accordance with the Louisiana Election Code, shall be approved by a majority of the qualified electors of Vermilion Parish. The Vermilion Parish Police Jury may, upon two-thirds vote by resolution, terminate any such ad valorem tax. The tax shall terminate no earlier than one year from the effective date of the police jury's resolution.

(2)(a) The board of commissioners may, when necessary, levy and collect a parcel fee within the district which shall not exceed ten dollars per parcel per year, which parcel fee shall be imposed by resolution only after the question of the imposition of the parcel fee and the purpose, rate, and duration of such fee has been approved by a majority of the qualified electors of the district voting at an election held therein. Any parcel fee imposed pursuant to this Paragraph shall be levied and collected and be due and owing annually. Such fee may be carried on the tax rolls for Vermilion Parish and collected at the same time as parish ad valorem taxes.

(b) If any parcel fee is not paid when due, the district shall proceed against the parcel for collection of the amount of the fee unpaid and delinquent, any collection costs incurred by the district plus interest at a rate not exceeding twelve percent on the unpaid amount of the parcel fee, and in the event legal proceedings are necessary to effect collection, court costs, and reasonable attorney fees. However, attorney fees shall be payable by the parcel owner only if demand by the board of commissioners has been made on said owner by certified mail, and such parcel owner has failed to pay the amount due within ten days after such demand.

(c) A judgment obtained for nonpayment of a parcel fee, upon being recorded in the mortgage records of Vermilion Parish, shall prime all other liens except those for taxes and prior recorded local or special assessments. If there are one or more property mortgages on such parcel and the mortgage holder or holders have notified the tax collector in the parish of such recorded mortgage in accordance with the requirements of R.S. 47:2180.1, the district, prior to proceeding against such parcel for failure to pay a parcel fee, shall give notice to each mortgagee of the amount of the parcel fee due and owing on such parcel and that such fee must be paid within twenty days after mailing the notice or proceedings will be commenced against the parcel. The notice shall be sent to each such mortgage holder by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by personal or domiciliary service on such mortgage holder.

(d) A "parcel" as used in this Paragraph means one or more lots, subdivided portions of ground, or individual tracts of taxable property identified by an individual assessment number on the assessment rolls of Vermilion Parish. A partial owner of a parcel shall be responsible for that proportion of the parcel fee equal to the proportion of the value of the entire parcel assigned to the partial owner on the assessment roll.

(e) The district may create different classes of real estate and present to the voters a proposition to levy or impose different parcel fees for each class.

B. All funds derived under this Section may be used for any expenses or purposes of the district. The board of commissioners shall establish and maintain, in addition to all necessary and normal accounts, the following special accounts:

(1) A revolving loan guarantee fund, to be used to guarantee industrial, port, harbor, or terminal development loans to the extent permitted by the Constitution of Louisiana under the following guidelines:

(a) Loan guarantees shall be made only when adequate financing for the project is unavailable through normal lending channels and the project represents a sound business venture that is financially and economically feasible.

(b) Loan guarantees shall be used to assist an identifiable business concern to finance plant construction, conversion, or expansion and acquisition of land, existing structures, machinery, or equipment and to provide operational funds.

(c) The terms and rates shall be compatible with loans offered by local lending institutions and the guarantee shall never exceed forty percent of the cost of the total project. In addition, the district shall attempt to obtain the most favorable security available under the circumstances to protect and ensure the recovery of its commitment under the guarantee.

(d) Loan guarantees shall be evaluated for their economic impact in terms of the number and types of jobs created or saved, the wage and income levels of the positions, the likelihood of placement of these positions with persons from specific groups, such as the long term unemployed, low income, women, or minorities, and the tax dollars generated.

(e) Loan guarantees shall be made to leverage other sources of private and public capital to attain the greatest economic impact possible with the limited funds available.

(f) Loan guarantees shall be targeted to export industries, manufacturing firms, and wholesale distribution and service firms.

(g) No project shall be considered unless the project will be constructed and maintained by persons at least eighty percent of whom are residents of Vermilion Parish, and at least eighty percent of the goods and services for maintenance of the project are obtained from a supplier domiciled within Vermilion Parish, except where not reasonably possible to do so without substantial added expense, substantial inconvenience, or substantial sacrifice in operational efficiency.

(h) The lending or underwriting principals shall have such demonstrated experience, ability, and net worth as would allow for the success, continuation, security, and solvency of the program. Prudent lending and underwriting standards shall be applied in order to comply with the primary objectives of this Section.

(2) An economic development operational fund, for the development and attraction of industries to accomplish the following:

(a) The operational fund shall be used for operating expenses necessary in creation of industrial and commercial development, in hiring sufficient staff to accomplish the purposes set out in this Subpart, and other related expenses.

(b) The operational fund may also be utilized in contracting for services as may be required by the district including but not limited to planning assistance, surveys, land use studies, technical services, and other services necessary to effectuate a unified industrial development plan.

(3) An account for the maintenance and operation of a governmental procurement center to provide necessary information to companies and individuals engaged in providing services and goods to accomplish the following:

(a) Pinpoint and identify potential buying centers and aid in placing the company on a bidder's list for these centers and assist companies in obtaining specifications for their products or services.

(b) Provide trained counselors to assist in acquiring solicitation and bid packages and conduct seminars designed to disseminate other information needed by the target companies and individuals.

Acts 2001, No. 719, §1, eff. June 25, 2001.