RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 260 (HB 372) 2020 Regular Session James
New law creates the Forest Oak Windsor Place Crime Prevention, Improvement, and
Beautification District in East Baton Rouge Parish for the purpose of aiding in crime
prevention and providing for the overall betterment of the district. Provides for district
boundaries. Provides that the district shall be governed by a board of commissioners
comprised of the members of the governing board of the Forest Oaks Windsor Place Civic
Assoc.
New law provides relative to the powers and duties of the district.
New law authorizes the district, subject to voter approval, to impose and collect a parcel fee.
Provides that the amount of the fee shall be determined by the board and cannot be more than
$175 per year for residential parcels and $500 per year for commercial parcels. Provides that
parcels qualifying for the special assessment level of Art. VII, Section 18(G)(1) of the La.
Constitution shall have a fee of 50% of what would otherwise be imposed on such a parcel.
New law provides that the term of the fee expires at the time provided in the proposition
authorizing the fee, not to exceed 10 years, but authorizes renewal of the fee for a term not
to exceed 10 years, also subject to voter approval. Defines "parcel" as a lot, a subdivided
portion of ground, an individual tract, or a "condominium parcel" as defined in existing law
(R.S. 9:1121.103).
New law provides that the fee shall be collected in the same manner and at the same time as
ad valorem taxes and that any unpaid fee shall be added to the parish tax rolls and enforced
with the same authority and subject to the same penalties and procedures as unpaid ad
valorem taxes. Requires the tax collector to remit amounts collected not more than 60 days
after collection, and authorizes the district to enter into an agreement with the tax collector
to authorize the retention of a collection fee, not to exceed 1% of the amount collected.
New law requires the district's board to adopt an annual budget in accordance with the La.
Local Government Budget Act (R.S. 39:1301 et seq.) and provides that the district shall be
subject to audit by the legislative auditor.
New law provides that it is the purpose and intent of new law that the additional law
enforcement personnel and their services shall be supplemental to, and not in lieu of,
personnel and services provided in the district by publicly funded law enforcement agencies.
Further provides that if the district ceases to exist, all of its funds shall be transmitted to the
city-parish to be used for law enforcement purposes in the area which comprised the district.
Effective upon signature of governor (June 11, 2020).
(Adds R.S. 33:9097.32)