Voters in Madison Parish approved all four parishwide millage renewals in the Oct. 11 election, continuing funding for courthouse and jail operations, public health, public works, garbage collection, and the 911 communications system through 2036.
According to complete but unofficial returns from the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office, all four propositions passed with parishwide support ranging from 67 to 73 percent. Proposition No. 1, renewing a 7-mill property tax for courthouse and jail operations, received 398 votes in favor and 176 against, for 69.3 percent approval and 8.0 percent turnout. Proposition No. 2, renewing a 1.18-mill property tax for the Madison Parish Health Unit and the parish general fund, passed 381 to 187 with 67.1 percent approval and 7.9 percent turnout. Proposition No. 3, renewing a 9.03-mill property tax divided equally between public works and garbage collection, was approved 414 to 150 for 73.4 percent support and 8.0 percent turnout. Proposition No. 4, renewing a 3-mill property tax for the Madison Parish Communications District to fund the 911 system and pay dispatch personnel, passed 406 to 163 with 71.4 percent approval and 7.9 percent turnout.
Each renewal extends for 10 years beginning in 2027. The courthouse and jail tax is projected to generate about $796,200 annually. The health unit and general fund tax will raise about $134,200 per year, divided evenly between the two departments. The public works and garbage collection tax will bring in an estimated $1,027,100 each year, and the communications district tax will raise about $341,000 annually for 911 operations.
Early voting made up nearly half of all ballots cast in the election and closely mirrored Election Day results. Proposition No. 1 received 189 early yes votes and 83 no votes, accounting for 47.4 percent of total ballots. Proposition No. 2 had 186 yes and 85 no in early voting, or 47.7 percent of the total. Proposition No. 3 recorded 199 yes and 67 no early votes, or 47.2 percent of all ballots. Proposition No. 4 received 196 yes and 73 no early votes, or 47.3 percent of the total cast.
Support for the renewals was consistent across most of Madison Parish, though several precincts showed opposition majorities. Precincts 1, 2, 6, 7, 15, 21, 23, and 25 recorded less than half the vote in favor of at least one proposition. The strongest support came from Precincts 8, 9, 11, 18, 20, and 26, where every measure passed unanimously with all votes cast in favor.
Approval of all four propositions maintains the parish’s existing millage rates, ensuring continued funding for courthouse and jail operations, the health unit and general fund, public works and garbage services, and the 911 communications system through 2036.
