re: Budget comparisons between St George & other Louisiana cities

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If residents were told the truth about the city's finances

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I think everyone need to look at where the money is going now in the East Baton Rouge / City of Baton Rouge budget now. The local services agreement started in 1991 allows the city-parish government to move money between the two. The big issue I have with it is that money is only being moved from the parish revenues to cover city only expenses. In 2014 $52 million in revenue generated in the parish (outside city of Baton Rouge) was moved to city side of the budget to cover expenses. In 2013 it was $45 million. In addition, the following agencies are funded entirely by revenue generated by the parish: District Court, Clerk of Court, Family Court, Juvenile Court, District Attorney, Registrar of Voters, & Coroner. It is shown on p.331-333 in the 2014 City-Parish Budget at the following link LINK

This is why the Mayor is against the City of St. George - they will lose a revenue stream. The parish residents see only a small return on the sales tax revenue generated in the parish - the city takes a huge portion of it.