Central’s Effort to Have Its Own Parks Is Moving Through Legislative Process

Sen. Bodi White’s legislation to allow the City of Central and the City of Zachary to retain taxes currently paid to BREC and use them for parks in their respective cities is moving steadily through the legislative process.

SB 205 was heard in the Senate Committee on Municipal and Parochial Affairs, which passed it out favorably after some debate. Sen. Franklin Foil, who like Sen. White represents parts of the new City of St. George, amended St. George out of the bill.

The bill was considered in the Senate and passed 29-6.  It is now pending in the House Committee on Municipal and Parochial Affairs, which was scheduled to hear the bill on Thursday, May 20.

The legislation would allow the City of Central to keep the $2.5 million paid by Central residents to BREC every year, and Central would have its own park system.

Those supporting the legislation included Zachary Mayor David Amhrein, who said Zachary has been so dissatisfied with BREC that it has maintained its own system.

BREC opposed the bill, as did Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome and Central Mayor David Barrow.  Barrow said BREC has improved its service to Central.

White said it is too little too late.

The senator said Central can do far better with $2.5 million a year for recreation than BREC does.

BREC is an independent state agency, not under the City-Parish government.  It does not answer directly to the governor, the mayor-president, or anyone else other than its Board of Commissioners.

The fact that it is a state agency created under state law is why the matter is before the legislature.

Liberal activist and St. George opponent Richard Lipsey has purchased billboards opposing the legislation.

Under the bill, the recreation and parks commission in Central would consist of one member appointed by the senator from the area, one member by the state representative, two members appointed by the Central City Council, and one member appointed by the Central School Board.  The bill would be effective July 1, 2021. After then, BREC could not collect taxes in Central except those pledged for bonded indebtedness.