RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 197 (SB 232) 2023 Regular Session Barrow
New law creates the Victoria Farms Crime Prevention and Improvement District in East
Baton Rouge Parish as a political subdivision of the state for the purpose of aiding in crime
prevention and providing for the overall betterment of the district. Provides for the district
boundaries to be coterminous with the boundaries of the Victoria Farms Subdivision.
Provides that the district shall be governed by a seven-member board of commissioners
composed as follows:
(1)The president of the Victoria Farms Homeowners Association (association).
(2)The board of directors of the Victoria Farms Homeowners Association shall appoint
one member.
(3)One member appointed by the member of the La. House of Representatives whose
district encompasses all or the greater portion of the area of the district.
(4)One member appointed by the member of the La. Senate whose district encompasses
all or the greater portion of the area of the district.
(5)One member appointed by the member of the governing authority of the city of Baton
Rouge, parish of East Baton Rouge whose district encompasses all or the greater
portion of the area of the district.
(6)One member appointed by the assessor for East Baton Rouge Parish.
(7)The mayor-president for the city of Baton Rouge, parish of East Baton Rouge shall
appoint one member.
New law provides that all members of the board shall be residents and qualified voters within
the district.
New law provides that vacancies resulting from the expiration of a term or any other reason
shall be filled in the manner of the original appointment and that members shall be eligible
for reappointment.
New law provides for the district's powers and duties including the following:
(1)To sue and be sued.
(2)To adopt, use, and alter at will a corporate seal.
(3)To receive and expend funds from an authorized parcel fee and in accordance with
an adopted budget.
(4)To enter into contracts with individuals or entities, private or public.
(5)To provide or enhance security patrols in the district and to provide for improved
lighting, signage, or matters relating to the security of the district.
(6)To purchase, lease, rent, or otherwise acquire items, supplies, and services necessary
to achieve any purpose of the district.
(7)To accept private grants and donations.
(8)To procure and maintain liability insurance against any personal or legal liability of
a board member.
New law authorizes the district, subject to voter approval, to impose and collect a parcel fee
on each improved and unimproved parcel within the district. Provides that the amount of the
fee shall be in a duly adopted resolution of the board and shall not exceed $100 per year. 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.
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 to the district all 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 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 provided for through the fees authorized by new
law shall be supplemental to, and not in lieu of, personnel and services provided in the
district by publicly funded law enforcement agencies.
New law provides that if the district ceases to exist, all district funds shall be transmitted to
the city-parish to be used for law enforcement purposes in the area which comprised the
district.
Effective August 1, 2023.
(Adds R.S. 33:9097.37)