Fire district seeks renewal of $32 parcel fee on June ballot; officials say it funds 10% of budget

Officials for a local fire protection district asked the Livingston Parish Council to note and explain a $32 per‑parcel user fee renewal on the June 27 ballot.

L.J. Reelli, who identified his residence and district affiliation, said the fee is a renewal (not an increase) first enacted in 1996; the fee helps pay for stations, apparatus and manpower and accounts for "roughly about 10% of our budget." He described the district as covering about 225 square miles, running approximately 7,500 calls per year and operating 11 stations.

Council members asked whether the fee is assessed per rooftop and how renters are affected; presenters explained the fee is a flat assessment by parcel (rooftop) administered through the assessor’s office and that property owners typically pass costs for multi‑unit rentals through rent. Council members encouraged residents to support and publicize the renewal.

Why it matters: The renewal funds regular fire operations and capital needs and helps sustain response capacity across a large and growing coverage area. Voters will decide the measure on June 27.