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With the war between BR and SG continuing, is this a good time to bring up the
Posted on 10/13/14 at 11:56 am
Posted on 10/13/14 at 11:56 am
RDA, and raising taxes to fund it?
From the BR Business Report
From the BR Business Report
quote:
RDA board to tackle issue of permanent funding today
Walter Monsour, president and CEO of the East Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority, is presenting to his board this morning a series of options for a permanent source of funding for the agency. For more than two years, Monsour has been talking up the need for a steady revenue stream to support the operations and projects of the RDA, which was created in 2007 to clean up blighted, inner-city neighborhoods. Now, the need for such funding is critical: Monsour says if the agency does not find a permanent source of funding it will have to shut down at the end of 2015. "We'll be looking at all our options," Monsour recently told Daily Report. "That could include tax increment financing, public-private partnerships, a dedicated tax. It will ultimately be up to the board to decide." The RDA has an annual operating budget of $1.3 million. Its projects—which include the redevelopment of Ardendale and the planned redevelopment of the former Entergy site at 1509 Government St.—have been funded up until now through a variety of federal and state grants. In 2009, it was awarded $60 million in federal New Market Tax Credits. It has applied to the programs several times since then but has been turned down. Today's meeting got underway at 9 a.m. and is scheduled to run until 11 a.m. It is being held at the offices of the Mortgage Finance Authority, 601 St. Ferdinand St.—Stephanie Riegel
Today's poll question: Would you support a millage to fund the East Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority and its projects?
4
Posted on 10/13/14 at 12:20 pm to doubleb
I'm totally opposed to a property tax millage increase just to keep funding Monsour's gravy train. And I don't care if the tax increase is only 1 mill. Let them get money from BREC or the Library system's surplus taxes.
Posted on 10/13/14 at 12:24 pm to LSURussian
quote:
I'm totally opposed to a property tax millage increase just to keep funding Monsour's gravy train. And I don't care if the tax increase is only 1 mill. Let them get money from BREC or the Library system's surplus taxes.
We are on the same side in this one.
Posted on 10/13/14 at 12:37 pm to doubleb
quote:In that case I'd better re-evaluate my position.....
We are on the same side in this one.
Posted on 10/13/14 at 12:50 pm to LSURussian
quote:
We are on the same side in this one. In that case I'd better re-evaluate my position.....
I'll give you a 24 hour deadline.
Please remind me when it expires.
Posted on 10/13/14 at 1:57 pm to doubleb
Looks like Monsour has his plan: ask the C-P council to give it $3 million a year.
LINK
I will be emailing my councilman this afternoon voicing my opposition to Monsour's request.
LINK
quote:
The East Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority will be requesting $3 million annually from the Metro Council.
The RDA, a public agency responsible for reviving blighted areas in Baton Rouge, will be seeking funds from city-parish coffers or, as an alternative, pursue a dedicated tax.
RDA Executive Director Walter Monsour said the agency will run out of funds by early 2016. It is currentlly operating on $1.3 million per year.
The $3 million would be split between operating costs and RDA programs.
I will be emailing my councilman this afternoon voicing my opposition to Monsour's request.
Posted on 10/13/14 at 2:06 pm to LSURussian
Correct me if I'm wrong, but Monsour makes over 300K per year plus fringes. That's a lot of money to run an organization with a 1.3 million dollar a year budget or even a 3 million dollar a year budget.
EBR has too many parish wide bodies now that fly under the radar. Unless Kip can show us why do we need Monsour at 300K+ a year to run this agency and that it's being run efficiently and doing a lot of good; I'm definitely out.
EBR has too many parish wide bodies now that fly under the radar. Unless Kip can show us why do we need Monsour at 300K+ a year to run this agency and that it's being run efficiently and doing a lot of good; I'm definitely out.
Posted on 10/13/14 at 2:08 pm to doubleb
I don't know what Monsour makes. Whatever it is it's too much. He's a long-time political hack who lives off the taxpayers' teats.
Posted on 10/13/14 at 2:17 pm to LSURussian
quote:
I don't know what Monsour makes.
I want to correct what I initially said, his package not his salary is over 300K a year.
quote:
The Redevelopment Authority has an annual operations budget of about $1.3 million. Monsour’s salary and benefits package makes up about 30 percent of those costs at $365,000 per year. He gets a salary of $265,000 a year and a $100,000 a year in benefits that include a health plan, a vehicle allowance and a 401(k) plan.
LINK
Posted on 10/13/14 at 3:23 pm to doubleb
When you read this kind of information it is no surprise people want out of Baton Rouge.
Posted on 10/13/14 at 3:25 pm to doubleb
A person's compensation package should never make up 20+ percent of its organizations annual budget. That is absurd.
On that alone, I'd vote down any attempts to tax for this.
On that alone, I'd vote down any attempts to tax for this.
Posted on 10/13/14 at 3:30 pm to lsu13lsu
quote:The problem is the RDA is a parish wide program, not just the city.
When you read this kind of information it is no surprise people want out of Baton Rouge.
Posted on 10/13/14 at 3:40 pm to LSURussian
quote:
The problem is the RDA is a parish wide program, not just the city.
Ah, it seemed like all the projects were in the city of BR.
Posted on 10/13/14 at 3:42 pm to LSURussian
quote:
The problem is the RDA is a parish wide program, not just the city.
And while it may be needed it appears they used it to set up Monsour in a good spot.
I can see how a program like this could benefit the entire parish, but setting it up like this doesn't smell good.
The entire parishes suffers if blighted areas are left to decay.
Posted on 10/13/14 at 3:48 pm to doubleb
What needs redeveloping in the unincorporated areas of East Baton Rouge Parish? The RDA funds go almost exclusively to projects within the city of Baton Rouge. LINK Since I live outside the city of Baton Rouge I have zero interest in providing this agency with any of my money, or any money from the East Baton Rouge Parish general fund.
Posted on 10/13/14 at 3:52 pm to Poodlebrain
I agree this shows how Baton Rouge is not responsible with our money.
This post was edited on 10/13/14 at 4:00 pm
Posted on 10/13/14 at 3:56 pm to LSURussian
It appears Kip is on our side.
quote:
Holden blasts RDA decision to ask Metro Council for funding
Published Oct 13, 2014 at 3:19 pm (Updated Oct 13, 2014) ShareThis
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Pennington director discusses funding needs, south Baton Rouge health districtHolden blasts RDA decision to ask Metro Council for fundingNews roundup: OPEC report says Gulf Coast still relies on foreign oil … La. satellite phone company up against more criticism … Low oil prices toss-up for economyBREW Pitch Night offers $1M of potential prize money, logistical support for new businessDevelopers unveil plans for eight-story downtown hotel
The East Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority's Board of Commissioners voted today to ask the Metro Council to allocate $3 million a year from the city-parish operating budget to help fund the agency on a long-term basis.
At a two-hour presentation attended by various community leaders, RDA President and CEO Walter Monsour said the agency will run out of money at the end of 2015 without a permanent source of funding. He suggested the agency could get by on $1.5 million a year in operating funds and $1.5 million a year in program funding, which could be leveraged to generate up to $15 million year.
But Mayor Kip Holden is dead set against giving city-parish funds to the RDA and had harsh words for the agency and Monsour, his former chief of staff.
"We are building the foundation to take the city to the next level. We are working. He's walking around with his hands out," Holden says. "My hands are dirty from working. His hands are clean."
The mayor's rhetoric was in sharp contrast to that of RDA Commissioners and those in attendance at the meeting, who praised the work of the agency and said it is imperative it be allowed to continue. Since its creation, the RDA has created 761 new housing units, 3350 jobs, and $265 million worth of new projects, according to Monsour.
.
"It is my belief that even people who look like me think the work of this RDA is good work, essential work, and that the mayor is making a miscalculation," says RDA Board Chairman John Noland.
Noland initially asked the board to authorize him to ask the council for a budget allocation for 2016, but after discussion the board voted instead to make the request for 2015. The council will begin those budget hearings later this fall.
Metro Councilwoman Donna Collins-Lewis says she will support the effort and will do anything she is asked by the RDA to help lead the charge.
"I think it is vital they come to the council and make the ask," she says.
But Collins-Lewis was the only council member who attended the meeting. All 12 council members were invited.
Holden points out that eight votes on the council are required to amend the city-parish budget, which is proposed by the mayor, and he says he will lobby against the RDA's request.
"It's Walter's way or no way, but I'm not going to be backed into a corner because he's sounding the alarm," says Holden. "It's a sad commentary in life that we have a desperation act being pulled by some people … but we are going to put everything out there and then let the people decide who is telling the truth."
Posted on 10/13/14 at 3:56 pm to Poodlebrain
quote:You could start with the Gardere area and go from there....
What needs redeveloping in the unincorporated areas of East Baton Rouge Parish?
Posted on 10/13/14 at 3:59 pm to doubleb
quote:
But Mayor Kip Holden is dead set against giving city-parish funds to the RDA and had harsh words for the agency and Monsour, his former chief of staff.
"We are building the foundation to take the city to the next level. We are working. He's walking around with his hands out," Holden says.
"My hands are dirty from working. His hands are clean."
WOW! Good for the Kipper!
Posted on 10/13/14 at 4:08 pm to johnnyrocket
quote:So are you actually going to do something about it or are you just going to bitch about it on a message board?
I agree this shows how Baton Rouge is not responsible with our money.
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