The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Michael Bell.
DIGEST
Proposed law creates the Southern Heights Neighborhood Crime Prevention and Improvement
District in East Baton Rouge Parish to aid in crime prevention and improvement of areas within
the district. Further provides for the boundaries of the district.
Proposed law provides for governance of the district by a seven-member board of
commissioners, each of whom must reside within the district and be a registered voter in the
district. Members of the board shall serve without compensation and shall serve terms of two or
three years, as determined by proposed law.
Proposed law provides for the powers and duties of the district as follows:
(1)To sue and be sued.
(2)To adopt and use a corporate seal.
(3)To receive and spend funds collected pursuant to proposed law in accordance with a
budget adopted in accordance with proposed law.
(4)To enter into contracts for security patrols or other programs in the district.
(5)To perform other functions or activities necessary for achieving any purpose of the
district.
(6)To purchase items necessary to achieve any purpose of the district.
Proposed law provides for the levy, subject to voter approval, of a parcel fee on improved and
unimproved parcels within the district. The fee shall be as provided by duly adopted resolution
of the board and shall not exceed $100 per parcel per year.
Proposed law provides that not less than five years after voter approval, the governing authority
of the district may increase the amount of the fee, without an election, not to exceed $150 per
parcel per year.
Proposed law further provides that the fee shall expire 10 years after its initial imposition, but
may be renewed subject to voter approval.
Proposed law provides that the fee shall be collected at the same time and in the same manner as
ad valorem taxes are collected by the parish. Further provides that any parcel fee shall be
enforced with the same authority and subject to the same penalties as ad valorem taxes. Proposed law provides for the adoption of an annual budget for the district and provides that the
district shall be subject to audit by the legislative auditor.
Proposed law provides that if the district ceases to exist, all funds of the district shall be
transmitted to the governing authority of East Baton Rouge Parish and shall be used for law
enforcement purposes in the area comprising the district.
Proposed law provides for indemnification of board members by the district and limits board
member liability for acts or omissions arising out of the performance of a member's duties.
Effective August 1, 2013.
(Adds R.S. 33:9097.19)