LBHA Taxing District

Lake Bullard Homeowners Association

Improvement District

Components of starting a improvement district.

Neighborhood districts are generally created as special taxing districts by act of the legislature. Included below are some brief bullet points regarding information needed in order to create a neighborhood district through legislation.

The following are a few types of neighborhood districts:

-Improvement

-Development

-Crime Prevention and Security

Neighborhood districts are usually created to perform some major function such as neighborhood improvement, beautification, or crime prevention. Can be created to perform a combination of these functions.

-Purpose

Neighborhood districts are generally limited to a specified geographic area.

-Boundaries

Neighborhood districts are most often governed by a commission or board appointed by local or state officials or a combination thereof.

-Governance

-Appointment of board members (who will make appointments)

-Number of board members (usually varies between seven and nine members)

-Qualification of board members (resident of the district, qualified voter,...etc.)

-Terms of board members (usually three to four years)

-Compensation (usually serve without compensation)

The governing authority of the city of New Orleans is usually granted authority to levy and collect special taxes or fees in order to generate funds for the purpose of the district. The special taxes or fees are usually subject to the approval of district voters.

-Ad valorem tax

-Parcel fee

-Amount of the tax or fee

This information will provide a general framework for the creation of the district. The proposed legislation would constitute a local bill. Notice of local bills must be published on TWO separate days AT LEAST 30 DAYS BEFORE INTRODUCTION, without cost to the state, in the official journal of the locality. The publication need not be on consecutive days, but must be on two separate days. Last two days to advertise in 2008 are February 28 and 29, for introduction on first day of session. (If NOT prefiled, last dates are March 21 and 22.)

Frequently Ask Questions

Please email questions to Lake Bullard Homeowners Association

Q. What is an improvement district?

A. A geographic area designated to pay for costs for specific annually approved projects.

Q. What other types of districts are there?

A. Development, Crime Prevention and Security are other types of districts for those specific purposes.

Q. What other types of districts are there?

A. Development, Crime Prevention and Security are other types of districts for those specific purposes.

Q. Why does Lake Bullard need an improvement district?

A. An improvement district for Lake Bullard will provide a fixed source of income to maintain the subdivision; remove the burden of collecting association dues from the LBHA officers; ensure that all homeowners share in the upkeep and care of the subdivision; and protect property values by providing the human and financial resources required to resolve quality of life issues. An improvement district would also protect the subdivision from unwanted types of business activities that would threaten the homeowners’ peaceful use of their properties.

Q. How is a special improvement district created?

A. A notice of intent to introduce a bill creating a special district must be published on two separate days at least 30 days prior to the bill being prefiled (introduced) with the Legislature. The Bill is prefiled (introduced), then adopted by the State Legislature adopts. The Governor signs bill into law, then appointments are made to the district’s board of commissioners. Board members take oaths of office, then meet, organize and adopt a resolution requesting the levy of a tax or fee, which is submitted to the city. The City council adopts a resolution calling an election for the approval or disapproval of the tax or fee. The Resolution is submitted to the state for review and approval, and the ballot is eventually printed.

Q. What are the boundaries of the improvement district?

A.

Bullard Avenue , Berg Canal,

Lake Forest Boulevard and Dwyer Road

Or
Lake Forest Boulevard from Berg Canal/Stillwater Drive to Bullard Avenue; Bullard Avenue to Midpoint Drive; McKendall Place; Midpoint Drive to Berg Canal/Stillwater Drive.

Berg Canal/Stillwater Drive to

Lake Forest Boulevard

Q. How much is the fee?

A. The fee will depend on the amount of the approved budget, but will be no more than $250.

Q. How will the fee be used?

A. The fee will be used to provide security, beautify subdivision entrances, and cover the administrative costs of operating the improvement district.

Q. How will the fee be collected?

A. The fee will be collected at the same time as ad valorem taxes on property are levied and collected by the city.

Q. What happens if I do not pay the fee?

A. Unpaid fees will be added to the tax rolls of the city and will subject to the same penalties and procedures as unpaid ad valorem taxes.

Q. What are ad valorem taxes?

A. An ad valorem tax is a tax based on the value of real estate or personal property. An ad valorem tax is typically imposed at the time of a transaction (a sales tax or value-added tax), but it may be imposed on an annual basis (real or personal property tax).

Q. Who will determine what the fee is?

A. The Lake Bullard Homeowners Association Board will prepare an annual budget that will cover the operating expenses associated with the improvement district. This budget must be approved by the Lake Bullard Homeowners Association. The fee will be determined based on the annual operating expenses. The budget must be annually approved by the City Council.

Q. Who will determine how the fees are spent?

A. The members of the Lake Bullard Homeowners Association will vote annually on the operating budget.

Q. How long will fee collection last?

A. Fees will be collected for a term not to exceed nine years.

Q. Are there other special districts in the area?

A. Yes, City Council District E contains Lake Forest Estates Improvement District, Lake Carmel Subdivision Improvement District, Huntington Park Subdivision Improvement District, and Kingswood Subdivision Improvement District. District D contains Spring Lake Subdivision Improvement District, Lake Terrace Crime Prevention District, Kenilworth Improvement District, and Lake Oaks Subdivision Improvement District. Lake Barrington is currently pursuing the creation of a special district.

Q. What are the fees of the other area districts?

A. Lake Forest Estates -$385
Spring Lake - $200
Lake Carmel - $250
Lake Terrace - $300
Huntington Park - $175
Kenilworth - $200
Lake Oaks - $350
Kingswood - $240

Q. What do other districts spend their collected fees on?

A. According to the Times-Picayune, 85% of the $3.9 million to be collected in 2008 will be spent on security services and controls.

Q. How will I choose my preference related to the improvement district?

A. Registered voters in the Lake Bullard Subdivision will have the opportunity to vote on creation of the improvement district in the Fall 2008 general election.

Q. Am I required to pay the fee if there is no home constructed on my lot?

A. According to the LBHA bylaws, a property owner is not required to pay more than $1 per month if there is no home constructed on the property. With an improvement district, all property owners would be required to pay a fee.

Q. How can I get more information about the improvement district and have my questions answered?

A. Log on to our web site at lakebullard.com and click on the links for Improvement District. You should also attend the meeting on Monday, February 25 at 6:30 pm at Cornerstone United Methodist Church.

We invite all residents to send all concerns or questions to LBHA. Your input is welcome. Your questions will be added to the Frequently Ask Question box.