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Abbeville Mayor Roslyn White wishes to clarify confusion regarding the city’s sales tax revenue.
Starting in 2025, Louisiana will increase its sales tax collection by half a cent. This increase will raise Abbeville’s sales tax to 11 percent, making it the highest in Vermilion Parish.
Last week, the Meridional reported that 6 percent of the 11 percent collected is for Abbeville, and the other 5 percent is for the state.
Mayor White aimed to clarify a common misconception regarding the 6 percent tax collected in Abbeville. She explained that only 1.75 percent of this tax goes to Abbeville; the remaining 4.25 percent is allocated to various government agencies across the parish.
A person will pay $11 in sales tax on a $100 purchase in Abbeville.
Here is a breakdown of where the money will go on the 11% sales tax collected in Abbeville on a $100 purchase:
• $5 or 5% goes to the state.
• $1.50 or 1.5% goes to the Police Jury
• $1.50 or 1.5% goes to the School District
• 75 cents or 0.75% goes to the Sheriff’s Office
•  $1.75 or 1.75% goes to the city of Abbeville.
• 50 cents or 0.50% goes to the Hospital Service District #2
The total amounts to $11, which is 11% of a $100 purchase.
“I hate taxes, and I agree sales tax is high, but that is why it is even more important to be clear and transparent about actual numbers so people understand what their taxes pay for and why taxes are higher in some parts of the parish versus others,” she said. “More importantly is why is the tax in Abbeville City limits the highest in the parish. What does that sales tax pay for?”
A big chunk of that 1.75% collected goes towards keeping Abbeville and parish residents safe.
Abbeville has the only full-time fire department in the parish.  The city of Abbeville Fire Department also responds to fires not only within the city limits but also in other areas as needed, on a nearly daily basis. 
She said this is a cost the city pays out of its budget that no other municipality or rural area has. 
If you live outside the city limits, your house or business is on fire, and your local volunteer department needs assistance, the Abbeville Fire Department responds. That service currently runs just over $4 million per year. 
 The police department alone runs just under $3.7 million.
 So, it takes a combined  $7.7 million to operate the police and fire departments in Abbeville. 
The Mayor explained that those two combined budgets account for 64% of the City’s General Operating Budget. 
“More importantly, if you look at what the 1.75% of sales tax brings in for the City of Abbeville, the total hovers around $6 million annually, which does not even cover the cost of public safety,” said Mayor White.
 “Throughout the years, the mandated retirement for fire and police has steadily increased, which is why at some point, many years ago, the city rededicated half of one percent of the Capital Outlay (projects) portion of sales tax to cover retirement and health benefits for city employees.”
 Mayor White also explained what residents’ property taxes pay for.
 Abbeville collects a total of $440,000 annually for property tax. Mayor White said the combination of sales and property taxes.
“If you do the math, property, and sales tax combined does not cover the cost of public safety, let alone the other employees like the street team, administrative staff, and projects like infrastructure and park improvements,” she said. “The difference is covered by other sources such as licenses, fees and utility sales.”
The Mayor stated that ensuring substantial sales tax collection in Abbeville requires residents to shop locally.
“Local taxes are under my umbrella, and I can account for where your money goes in Abbeville, she explained.   “I hope people do not choose to shop outside of Abbeville because a portion of the money spent in our local community stays here, and for that money, you get the protection of your home or business, road improvements, and you support local jobs. When you shop in other places, none of your money goes back into your community; it goes to the state and other communities. That’s OK occasionally, but it hurts the place you call home over time.”

One man perished in a fire that consumed a home Thursday morning in Abbeville.
The blaze also claimed the lives of more than a dozen dogs.
Abbeville Fire Chief Jude Mire said his department received the call of smoke in the area around John Hardy Drive and Charity Street around 8:30 a.m.
“It was totally engulfed when we arrived on scene,” Mire said. “It didn’t take long for it to go up.’’
The fire destroyed the home on Acadian Drive, located off John Hardy Drive. Flames spread to a neighboring home, and Mire said that the second structure suffered moderate damage.
“It started to burn in the attic,” Mire said, “but we stopped it before it truly damaged the house.”
Mire said it took about 30 minutes to extinguish the fire. Along with Abbeville, volunteer departments Erath, Maurice, Seventh Ward and Meaux-Nunez. Mire credited the effort of the firefighters and officers from the Abbeville Police Department, who helped block off the road.
“They all did a great job to get things under control as quickly as possible,” Mire said.
Members of the Office of Louisiana Fire Marshal arrived at the scene to investigate the cause of the fire. As of the Abbeville Meridional’s press time on Friday morning, Mire had not received a report from the Fire Marshal’s office. Mire said the man’s name is not yet being released.
Mire said the man worked closely with the Vermilion Parish Rabies Control to help rehabilitate dogs, which is why there are so many on the premises.

ERATH — A Mass of Christian Burial for Mrs. Rose Carlin Suire, 89, will be held at 11 a.m., on Saturday, December 28, 2024, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Erath, with Father Clinton Sensat officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Our Lady of the Lake Cemetery in Delcambre.
Visitation will open at 9 a.m., on Saturday, December 28, 2024, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Erath until the time of service. A Recitation of the Rosary, by Melody Suire, will be at 10 a.m.
A native of Abbeville and lifelong resident of Erath, Mrs. Rose Carlin Suire, passed away peacefully on December 26, 2024, at 1:20 a.m. Rose was known for her incredible work ethic, her passion for cooking, and her commitment to organization and cleanliness. A true homemaker at heart, her greatest joy was always her family. She dedicated her life to raising her children, instilling in them the values of hard work, love, and dedication. Once her children were grown, Rose followed her heart and enlisted in nursing school. Her compassion and tireless spirit made her an exceptional caregiver. Additionally, Rose spent thirteen years as the Head Janitor at Erath Middle School, where her dedication was evident. The school’s cleanliness and shine were a testament to her meticulous nature. She made sure the halls sparkled, earning her admiration from students and faculty alike. Rose was married to the love of her life, Leo, for forty-nine wonderful years. Together, they created a life filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories. Known for her culinary skills, Rose’s kitchen was always filled with the delicious aromas of her famous potato hash, hearty gumbos, and beloved rice and gravy dishes. Her family and friends will forever remember her as an extraordinary cook who made every meal a celebration. Rose’s memory will live on through her loving children, grandchildren, and the many lives she touched throughout her years. Her devotion to her family, her work, and her community will continue to inspire all who had the honor of knowing her.
Mrs. Rose Carlin Suire is survived by two sons, Timmy Suire and wife Sandra of Delcambre, and Dean Suire of Delcambre; six daughters, Susan Suire and companion Leroy Broussard of Erath, Tammy Sonnier of Delcambre, Phyllis Touchet and husband Kendell of Erath, Phallie Reed and husband Weston of Erath, Babs Touchet and husband Chad of Houston, and Jan Broussard and husband Colby of Abbeville; one daughter-in-law, Melody Suire, and a legacy of many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Leo Suire; one son, Terry Suire; her parents, Joseph Numa Carlin and Azelie Luquette Carlin; one brother, Harrison Carlin; and one sister, Lorenia Myers.
Pallbearers will be Colby Broussard, Weston Reed, Chad Touchet, Derrick Sonnier, Kendell Touchet, and Leroy Broussard.
Mrs. Rose’s family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to the staff at Maison du Monde Living Center, Traditions Health Hospice Care, and Dr. Ronald Lahasky for the incredible care given to her.
You may sign the guest register book and express condolences online at www.davidfuneralhome.org
Frioux-David Funeral Home of Erath at 209 E. Putnam Street (337) 937-0405 will be handling the arrangements.

A National Guard soldier in Georgia is facing murder charges after allegedly shooting and killing a man he found with the mother of his child.
Natravien Landry, 25, of Abbeville, an Army National Guard soldier assigned to the 1148th Transportation Company at Fort Eisenhower, is charged with one count of murder, Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, said in a statement.
The victim was identified by Fort Eisenhower as U.S. Army Sgt. Andre S. Stewart Jr., Stars and Stripes, WRDW, and The Augusta Press report.
“Our Fort Eisenhower team suffered a tragedy this weekend. Our thoughts and prayers are with a grieving family,” Maj. Gen. Ryan Janovic, commanding general of the Cyber Center of Excellence and Fort Eisenhower, said in a statement obtained by Stars and Stripes. “I commend the swift action of our entire team and our community partners, who together are committed to safety, security, and care for those in pain.”
The victim – Sgt. Andre S. Stewart Jr. of Clarksville, Tenn., an Army reservist out of Fort Meade, Md. – died at a hospital about an hour after being shot in the chest around 7:30 a.m. Saturday in a family housing unit on the post, according to investigators.
The suspect – Natravien Landry, 25, a guardsman from Abbeville, La. – is accused of fatally shooting Stewart. He was arrested south of Atlanta three hours after the shooting.
Stewart’s family wants to make sure how he died does not define the life he lived and the person he was.
“We are a faith-driven family,” said Debra Garner, Stewart’s cousin. “He was raised in a church, his mother is one of faith as well as his uncle who is a bishop. I’m a pastor, and he’s always been surrounded by strong role models and people who believe in the Lord.”
His family calls him a gentle giant with a heart of gold and unshakeable faith.
On Saturday, Dec. 14, Landry allegedly visited the residence in post housing at Fort Eisenhower of a woman with whom Landry has a child, the U.S. Attorney said.
“Landry is accused of assaulting and shooting a man who was with the woman in her residence, and then leaving Fort Eisenhower,” the U.S. Attorney said in the statement.
Per an Army investigator’s affidavit obtained by ABC News, Landry confronted a man who had spent the night at his ex’s home, assaulting and fatally shooting him.
Landry was arrested about three hours later south of Atlanta on Interstate 85 during a traffic stop by the Meriwether County, Georgia, Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies recovered a 9 mm pistol during the stop, the statement alleges. The U.S. Marshals Service took Landry into custody and took him to the Lincoln County Jail to await a court hearing.