Ascension Parish advances 2026 drainage millages for stormwater maintenance

Ascension Parish advances 2026 drainage millages for stormwater maintenanceThe Ascension Parish Council has moved to levy 2026 property tax millages, securing continued funding for the East and West Ascension Drainage districts. Council members emphasized that the renewed taxes are restricted to localized infrastructure maintenance, including ditch excavation and drainage upkeep.

The 2026 tax roll includes a 4.88 millage for East Ascension Drainage.

West Ascension Drainage will levy a 5.26 millage, with an additional 4.56 millage for West Ascension Drainage Number 2.

Council members clarified that the drainage millages are voter-approved renewals, not new tax increases.

The council also introduced an ordinance to revoke an existing 15-foot drainage servitude on Woodville Drive.

During its May 21, 2026, meeting, the Ascension Parish Council advanced ordinances to levy the 2026 property tax millages, which include key funding mechanisms for the parish's stormwater and drainage infrastructure. The approved tax roll includes renewals for three dedicated drainage districts. The East Ascension Drainage district will levy a 4.88 millage, while the West Ascension Drainage district will levy 5.26 mills. An additional 4.56 millage was levied for West Ascension Drainage Number 2. The public hearing on the tax roll prompted questions from a resident who expressed concern over rising property taxes, inflation, and utility costs, questioning whether the millages were a means to request additional state capital outlay funds. In response, council members clarified that the items are renewals of existing, voter-approved millages rather than new tax hikes. The council noted that the funds are geographically restricted, meaning taxes collected within specific zones remain within those neighborhoods to fund localized public works. This revenue is strictly allocated to specific stormwater management activities, such as digging ditches and maintaining local drainage networks. In a separate administrative action related to stormwater infrastructure, the council introduced an ordinance to revoke an existing 15-foot drainage servitude located on Lot 60-A of the Kendall Johnson property on Woodville Drive.