Mayor-President Sid Edwards Announces Collaboration with Library and Metropolitan Councilmembers

BATON ROUGE, LA - Tuesday, March 11, 2025 - After extensive collaboration between various stakeholders, including the Mayor-President's Office, East Baton Rouge Metro Councilmembers, and members of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library Board, a consensus has been reached on the proposed library millage rededication. The result is Thrive! Baton Rouge, a balanced and forward-thinking plan that secures long-term dedicated funding for libraries while allowing the City-Parish to invest in essential services and financial stability for the future.

Key Components of Thrive! Baton Rouge:

1. Dedicated Library Funding

• Parish libraries will maintain a dedicated millage rate of 8.3 mills, resulting in a $48.14M annual budget.
• A one-time rededication of $52.4 million from the existing library fund balance will be used to pay down debt, freeing up $9.4 million in recurring revenue.
• The library system will retain one year of operating revenue in fund balance.
• 2.8 mills will be rededicated to "Parishwide General Purposes."

2. Mosquito Abatement and Rodent Control (MARC)

• A portion of Mosquito Abatement's secondary millage will be renewed at .35 mills. The remainder, .65 mills, will be renewed and rededicated to "Parishwide General Purposes".
• MARC will continue operations with its primary millage of 1.41 mills, amounting to an $8.17 million annual budget.
• A one-time rededication of $13.25 million from MARC's fund balance will support budget stabilization.
• MARC will retain one year of operating revenue in fund balance.

3. Parish General Alimony Millage

• The Parish General Alimony Millage will be renewed at 4 mills, securing stable general fund revenue.

4. Council on Aging

• The Council on Aging will renew and rededicate .25 of their existing millage.

New General Fund Revenue: $36.89 Million (No Millage Increases)

The Thrive! Baton Rouge plan provides significant financial benefits without increasing voter-approved millage rates.

A Plan for the Future

Thrive! Baton Rouge represents a responsible and sustainable path forward, addressing both immediate needs and long-term financial stability. By maintaining dedicated funding for critical services while optimizing financial resources, this initiative ensures a stronger and more resilient Baton Rouge.

"This is about making smart, sustainable investments in our future," said Mayor-President Edwards. "Thrive! Baton Rouge sets us on a path to long-term fiscal health and protects our essential services. This is how we build a Baton Rouge that works for everyone."

"When this process initially began, I said that all of our stakeholders needed to have frank conversations about the future of East Baton Rouge Parish. Thrive! Baton Rouge is a direct result of that collaboration and a win for everyone proud to call East Baton Rouge Parish home," said District 12 Councilwoman Jennifer Racca. "I want to thank everyone who showed up to the table committed to finding this long-term solution for fiscal stability without additional millages, particularly my Metro Council colleagues, Mayor-President Edwards, and his team. I couldn't be prouder to serve alongside this group of servant leaders."

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