Creation

The Parkwood Terrace Crime Prevention and Neighborhood Improvement District, referred to in this Section as the "District", was created in 2016 through legislative Act No. 610 which was approved by the voters of the District. The District is a political subdivision of the state as defined in Article VI, Section 44 of the Constitution of Louisiana and it must abide by all the laws that govern a political subdivision.

Boundaries

The boundaries of the district shall include all property shown on the final subdivision plats for Parkwood Terrace Subdivision filings First, Second and Third filed with the East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court including lots one through two hundred and ninety-three as more particularly described as follows: beginning on the north by Lavey Lane, on the west by V.J. Mire Track on the northwest to City Parish Recreation and Park Commission Greenwood Community Park to Greenwood Community Park on the south to Cypress Bayou on the north and Morvant Subdivision on the east.

Purpose

The purposes of the district shall be to aid in crime prevention by providing security for district residents and to serve the needs of the residents of the district by funding beautification and improvements for the overall betterment of the district.

Governance

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

• The president of the Parkwood Terrace Improvement Association shall be an ex officio member.
• The board of directors of the Parkwood Terrace Improvement Association or its successor shall appoint one member.
• The member of the Louisiana House of Representatives who represents District 63 shall appoint one member.
• The member of the Louisiana Senate who represents District 15 shall appoint one member.
• The assessor for East Baton Rouge Parish shall appoint one member.
• The mayor-president of East Baton Rouge shall appoint one member.
• One member shall be appointed by the member or members of the governing authority of the parish of East Baton Rouge who represent the district.

All board members shall be residents and qualified voters within the district. Members appointed pursuant to Subparagraphs (D)(1)(b) through (g) shall serve four-year terms, with initial terms determined by lot. Vacancies resulting from expiration or other reasons shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term. The board shall select from among themselves a president and any other officers as deemed appropriate. Board members serve without compensation and are not reimbursed for expenses.

Powers and Duties

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

• To sue and be sued.
• To adopt, use, and alter at will a corporate seal.
• 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.
• To enter into contracts with individuals or entities, private or public, for the provision of security patrols in the district.
• To purchase items and supplies which the board deems instrumental to achieving the purpose of the district.
• To perform or have performed any other function or activity necessary for the achievement of the purpose of the district.

Parcel Fee

The governing authority of East Baton Rouge Parish may impose and collect a parcel fee within the district subject to the following provisions:

• The fee amount shall be as requested by a duly adopted resolution of the board, but shall not be less than one hundred dollars per parcel per year for lots zoned for residential use.
• The fee shall be imposed on each improved parcel located within the district. For condominiums, the fee shall be imposed on each lot on which condominiums are situated, not on individual condominium units.
• The owner of the parcel is responsible for payment of the fee.
• 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 in an election held for that purpose, with appropriate notification sent to each registered voter and parcel owner.
• The fee shall expire ten years from its initial levy but may be renewed for a term not to exceed ten years.
• The fee shall be collected at the same time and in the same manner as ad valorem taxes within the parish.
• Any parcel fee shall be added to the tax rolls of the parish and enforced with the same authority, penalties, and procedures as ad valorem taxes.
• The sheriff of East Baton Rouge Parish shall remit to the district all amounts collected within sixty days after collection; however, the board may authorize the sheriff to retain a collection fee.

Budget

The board of commissioners shall adopt an annual budget in accordance with the Louisiana Local Government Budget Act, R.S. 39:1301 et seq. The district shall also be subject to audit by the legislative auditor pursuant to R.S. 24:513.

Miscellaneous Provisions

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, those provided by the city of Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish. If the district ceases to exist, any funds of the district shall be transmitted to the governing authority of the city of Baton Rouge and the parish of East Baton Rouge for law enforcement purposes within the district.