CSLED Seeks Expansion
BOBBY ARDOIN
St. Landry Now.com Editor
The Central St. Landry Economic District is seeking to expand its sales tax collection boundaries along Interstate 49 along with the likely inclusion of the Creswell Lane business district.
CSLED members discussed the potential boundary proliferations during a Tuesday afternoon special meeting at the St. Landry Parish Economic District headquarters.
Chairman Buddy Helton, who was reelected to the position he has held since 2015, indicated that the economic district which charges an extra 1-cent for purchases made from businesses located along I-49 south of Opelousas, discussed with board members the prospect of moving the taxing district further north and south along the interstate.
The current plan, which will need approval from the parish and city officials, includes increasing the interstate service road boundaries to the Nuba exit and southward to the Sunset-Grand Coteau.
In Opelousas CSLED wants inclusion of the Creswell Lane businesses which have so far remained untouched by either the CSLED or Opelousas Downtown Development District, which also charges customers an extra penny for purchases.
At this point purchasers pay a 10.75 cent tax for items and services bought on Creswell Lane.
June CSLED sales tax collections were $149,773, according to a monthly Parish Tax Commission report provided to St. Landry Now.com.
During the meeting attending CSLED board members Yvonne Norman, Rod Sias, Senic Batiste and Ammy Taylor offered no opposition to the tax-expansion proposal.
After the meeting Helton said CSLED has provided a number of beneficial improvements for the I-49 area between the U.S. Highway 190 and Guilbeau Road interchanges.
Helton described how the extra penny tax has provided more frequent grass cutting along I-49 in addition to improved lighting.
Two years ago CSLED also agreed to fund cameras located along I-49 to assist local law enforcement with vehicle identification.
“You look around (I-49) and you can see the proven results of what we are doing with the money. We have also been able to obtain grant funding along with some of our own revenues to expand the water and sewerage projects for the businesses and housing developments that are occurring now off Harry Guilbeau,” Helton said.
Helton said plans for continued sewerage expansion along Guilbeau Road are continuing with the help of local and state funding.
Although there are few businesses currently located in the expansion zones that are included in the incorporation plans, Helton said he saw no problem with the prospective plan.
“When we first set up the taxing district more than 10 years ago, there was just one business and a lot of space. Now there are businesses that have located in the district along with a residential development that will have over 100 houses,” said Helton.
