Voters will head to the polls on March 29 to decide the fate of a tax millage renewal that funds the Ouachita Parish Library system, even if it passes no date has been set for the elusive Carver/McDonald branch construction.
The proposed renewal maintains the current 7.64 mills tax on all parish property for another decade, spanning from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2035. Officials project the tax will generate approximately $10.1 million in its first year, with similar or increased revenue expected annually thereafter.
These funds are critical for the library system’s operation, covering everything from equipment and supplies to maintenance, construction, and renovation of library facilities throughout the parish.
However, the renewal has sparked debate regarding the allocation of resources, particularly concerning the Carver/McDonald Branch on Renwick Street. Members of the African-American community have expressed frustration over what they perceive as neglect of a facility that has outgrown its space and receives minimal renovation funding.
“The Carver/McDonald Branch is being treated like a stepchild,” said State Representative Pat Moore, who previously championed efforts to relocate the branch while serving on the Ouachita Parish Police Jury.
Moore had initiated plans to construct a new library at the corner of Renwick Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, but the project never materialized. The situation became more contentious two years ago when the Library Board prioritized renovating and relocating the 18th Street Library, effectively pushing the Carver/McDonald project further down the priority list.
Betty Ward Cooper, who chairs the Library Board, maintains that the Carver/McDonald project will eventually be addressed.
“There is no specific date for the Carver/McDonald project, but it will be done,” Cooper stated.
According to Cooper, the Board explored alternative locations, including property adjacent to Miller Funeral Home and the site originally proposed by Rep. Moore. The latter option proved unfeasible when the owner, Karl Dhaliwal, reportedly demanded triple the market value—a price the Library Board cannot legally pay, as they are restricted to fair market value purchases.
Rep. Moore claims that her initial proposal was to complete the Carver/McDonald Branch before renovating the 18th Street location, but “somehow the plan became switched.” She estimates it could now take five to seven years before the Carver/McDonald project becomes a priority.
Despite these concerns, Moore urges voters to support the tax renewal, warning that its failure would halt funding for all parish libraries. She encourages citizens to approve the measure while simultaneously pressuring the Police Jury to expedite the Carver/McDonald project.
The millage renewal will appear on the March 29 ballot, requiring a simple majority to pass. If approved, it will ensure continued funding for the parish’s library system through 2035, though questions about equitable resource distribution seem likely to persist regardless of the outcome.
