The board of commissioners may levy an annual ad valorem tax up to ten mills, if approved in a special election, and must maintain special accounts and apply listed rules for loan guarantees and district funds.
§130.155. Fees and ad valorem tax; borrowing money A. The board of commissioners may, when necessary, levy annually an ad valorem tax not to exceed ten mills on the dollar of assessed valuation of all property, provided that the amount, term, and purpose of said tax, as set out in a proposition submitted to a vote in accordance with the Louisiana Election Code, shall be approved by a majority of the qualified electors voting in a special election held for that purpose. B. All funds derived under this Section may be used for any expenses or purposes of the district. The board of commissioners shall establish and maintain, in addition to all necessary and normal accounts, the following special accounts: (1) A revolving loan guarantee fund, to be used to guarantee industrial, port, harbor, or terminal development loans to the extent permitted by the Constitution of Louisiana under the following guidelines: (a) Loan guarantees shall be made only when adequate financing for the project is unavailable through normal lending channels and the project represents a sound business venture that is financially and economically feasible. (b) Loan guarantees shall be used to assist an identifiable business concern to finance plant construction, conversion, or expansion and acquisition of land, existing structures, machinery, or equipment and to provide operational funds. (c) The terms and rates shall be compatible with loans offered by local lending institutions and the guarantee shall never exceed forty percent of the cost of the total project. In addition, the district shall attempt to obtain the most favorable security available under the circumstances to protect and ensure the recovery of its commitment under the guarantee. (d) Loan guarantees shall be evaluated for their economic impact in terms of the number and types of jobs created or saved, the wage and income levels of the positions, the likelihood of placement of these positions with persons from specific groups, such as the long term unemployed, low income, women, or minorities, and the tax dollars generated. (e) Loan guarantees shall be made to leverage other sources of private and public capital to attain the greatest economic impact possible with the limited funds available. (f) Loan guarantees shall be targeted to export industries, manufacturing firms, and wholesale distribution and service firms. (g) No project shall be considered unless the project will be constructed and maintained by persons at least eighty percent of whom are residents of Grant Parish, and at least eighty percent of the goods and services for maintenance of the project are obtained from a supplier domiciled within Grant Parish, except where not reasonably possible to do so without substantial added expense, substantial inconvenience, or substantial sacrifice in operational efficiency. (h) The lending or underwriting principals shall have such demonstrated experience, ability, and net worth as would allow for the success, continuation, security, and solvency of the program. Prudent lending and underwriting standards shall be applied in order to comply with the primary objectives of this Section. (2) An economic development operational fund, for the development and attraction of industries to accomplish the following: (a) The operational fund shall be used for operating expenses necessary in creation of industrial and commercial development, in hiring sufficient staff to accomplish the purposes set out in this Subpart, and other related expenses. (b) The operational fund may also be utilized in contracting for services as may be required by the district including but not limited to planning assistance, surveys, land use studies, technical services, and other services necessary to effectuate a unified industrial development plan. (3) An account for the maintenance and operation of a governmental procurement center to provide necessary information to companies and individuals engaged in providing services and goods to accomplish the following: (a) Pinpoint and identify potential buying centers and aid in placing the company on a bidder's list for these centers and assist companies in obtaining specifications for their products or services. (b) Provide trained counselors to assist in acquiring solicitation and bid packages and conduct seminars designed to disseminate other information needed by the target companies and individuals. Acts 1988, No. 633, §1, eff. July 14, 1988.