The public will have a chance Wednesday to weigh in on the debate over whether Baker, Central and Zachary should each have a representative on the parish’s library and park boards. Metro Councilman Scott Wilson, whose district encompasses most of Central, authored the resolutions and says the incorporated cities in the northern part of the parish should have equal representation on the boards. “BREC and the library are two of the biggest property millages we pay in this parish, and I just think the boards need to be expanded to bring in more people,” Wilson says. “I’m not trying to take anyone else’s spot off either of the boards. I’m just trying to give some more people a seat at the table.”
Expanding either board requires voter approval. With council support, the issues would be placed on the Oct. 22 ballot. Expanding the BREC board also requires legislative approval, and a bill supporting expansion is currently moving through the House. Mayor Kip Holden has voiced opposition to the board expansions, noting the three incorporated cities account for fewer than 13% of the total parish population. The finance and executive committee is recommending approval of both initiatives. If approved by the council and the voters, the BREC board would be expanded to 12 members from nine, and the library board would increase to 10 from seven. —Steve Sanoski
