2019 Louisiana Laws
Revised Statutes
Title 33 - Municipalities and Parishes
§9097.14. Park Forest Crime Prevention and Improvement District

RS 9097.14 - Park Forest Crime Prevention and Improvement District

A. Creation. There is hereby created within the parish of East Baton Rouge, as more specifically provided in Subsection B of this Section, a body politic and corporate which shall be known as the Park Forest Crime Prevention and Improvement District, referred to in this Section as the "district". The district shall be a political subdivision of the state as defined in the Constitution of Louisiana.

B. Boundaries. The district shall include the area within the following boundaries: beginning at the intersection of Monterrey Boulevard and Greenwell Springs Road, south along Monterrey Boulevard to its intersection with Great Smoky Avenue, then east along Great Smoky Avenue (both sides) to its intersection with Jo Anne Drive, then north along Jo Anne Drive (both sides) to its intersection with Big Bend Avenue, then east along Big Bend Avenue (both sides) to its intersection with North Sherwood Forest Drive, then north along North Sherwood Forest Drive to its intersection with Greenwell Springs Road, then southwest along Greenwell Springs Road to the point of beginning. The district shall also include all lots that front on Great Smoky Avenue whether or not the lot lies within the boundaries otherwise described in this Subsection.

C. The district is established for the primary object and purpose of promoting and encouraging the beautification, security, and overall betterment of the district.

D. Board. (1) The district shall be governed by a board of commissioners, referred to in this Section as the "board", consisting of members as follows:

(a) The president of the Park Forest Community Association or its successor shall serve as a member.

(b) The board of directors of the Park Forest Community Association or its successor shall appoint two members.

(c) The member of the Louisiana House of Representatives whose district encompasses all or the greater portion of the area of the district shall appoint one member.

(d) The member of the Louisiana Senate whose district encompasses all or the greater portion of the area of the district shall appoint one member.

(e) Each member of the governing authority of East Baton Rouge Parish whose district encompasses a portion of the area included within the district shall appoint one member.

(2) All members of the board shall be residents and qualified voters of the district.

(3)(a) Members appointed pursuant to Subparagraphs (1)(b) through (e) of this Subsection shall serve three-year terms after initial terms as provided in Subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph.

(b) Two members shall serve an initial term of one year; two shall serve two years; and two shall serve three years as determined by lot at the first meeting of the board.

(c) The president of the Park Forest Community Association shall serve during his term of office.

(4) Any board member may be removed for cause by a majority vote of the board.

(5) Vacancies shall be filled in the manner of the original appointment. A member shall be eligible for reappointment unless he was removed pursuant to Paragraph (4) of this Subsection.

(6) All members of the board shall serve without compensation and shall not receive reimbursement for expenses.

(7) The domicile of the board shall be within the district.

(8) The board is authorized to adopt bylaws for its governance and conduct.

(9) The members of the board shall select from among themselves a president and such other officers as they deem appropriate whose responsibilities shall be as provided by the bylaws of the board.

(10) The board shall hold regular meetings as provided for in its bylaws and may hold special meetings at such times and places within the district as provided in the bylaws.

(11) The board shall keep minutes of all meetings.

(12) A majority of the board shall constitute a quorum for conducting business of the district.

E. Powers and duties. The district, acting through its board of commissioners, shall have the following powers and duties:

(1) To sue and be sued.

(2) To adopt, use, and alter at will a corporate seal.

(3) To receive and expend funds collected pursuant to Subsection F of this Section and in accordance with a budget adopted as provided by Subsection G of this Section.

(4) To enter into contracts with individuals or entities, private or public.

(5) To purchase items and supplies necessary for achieving any purpose of the district.

(6) To accept private grants and donations.

(7) To procure and maintain liability insurance against any personal or legal liability of a board member that may be asserted or incurred based upon his service as a member of the board or that may arise as a result of his actions taken within the scope and discharge of his duties as a member of the board.

(8) To perform or have performed any function or activity the board deems necessary to carry out the purposes of the district.

F. Parcel fee. The governing authority of East Baton Rouge Parish may impose and collect a parcel fee within the district subject to and in accordance with the provisions of this Subsection:

(1) The amount of the fee shall be as determined by duly adopted resolution of the board. The fee, however, shall not exceed one hundred dollars per parcel per year.

(2) The fee shall be imposed on each parcel located within the district. The term "parcel" as used in this Subsection shall mean a developed lot upon which is situated a single-family residence.

(3) The owner of the parcel shall be responsible for payment of the fee.

(4)(a) The fee shall be imposed only after the question of its imposition has been approved by a majority of the registered voters of the district voting on the proposition at an election held for that purpose in accordance with the Louisiana Election Code.

(b) Not less than five years after the approval of the imposition of the fee by the voters of the district, the board may increase the amount of the fee one time without election. The amount of the fee shall be as provided in a duly adopted resolution of the board, not to exceed two hundred dollars per parcel per year.

(c) The fee shall expire ten years after its initial levy but may be renewed if approved by a majority of the registered voters of the district voting on the proposition at an election as provided in Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph. If the fee is renewed, the amount of the fee shall not exceed two hundred dollars per parcel per year. The term of the imposition of the fee shall be as provided in the proposition authorizing such renewal, not to exceed ten years.

(5) The sheriff of the parish of East Baton Rouge shall collect the fee at the same time and in the same manner as ad valorem taxes are collected.

(6) The sheriff of the parish of East Baton Rouge shall remit to the district all amounts collected not more than sixty days after collection; however, the board may enter into an agreement with the sheriff to authorize the sheriff to retain a collection fee.

(7) Any parcel fee shall be added to the tax rolls of the parish and shall be enforced with the same authority and subject to the same penalties and procedures as ad valorem taxes.

G. Budget. (1) The board of commissioners shall adopt an annual budget in accordance with the Louisiana Local Government Budget Act, R.S. 39:1301 et seq.

(2) The district shall be subject to audit by the legislative auditor pursuant to R.S. 24:513.

H. Miscellaneous provisions. (1) It is the purpose and intent of this Section that the additional law enforcement personnel and services provided by the district shall be supplemental to and not in lieu of personnel and services provided in the district by the city of Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish.

(2) If the district ceases to exist:

(a) All funds of the district shall be transmitted to the parish of East Baton Rouge and shall be used for law enforcement purposes in the area included within the district.

(b) The authority for the imposition of the parcel fee provided in this Section shall cease.

Acts 2012, No. 187, §1, eff. May 22, 2012.