VIDALIA &045; It would limit their power to reassess property for tax purposes.

But Concordia Parish and Vidalia officials said Wednesday state legislation to cap such reassessments wouldn’t affect their governments much in the short term.

Some legislators testifying Tuesday before the House Ways and Means Committee said increases in the assessed value of properties have given governments in some parts of the state a cash windfall voters never approved, according to the Associated Press.

A bill sponsored by state Rep. Peppi Bruneau, R-New Orleans, would cap at 3 percent the amount property assessment could rise in one year. Other bills would cap reassessment increases at 2.5 percent.

Concordia Parish Tax Assessor Monelle Moseley, who attended the hearing, said such caps would be unfair.

&uot;We’re mandated to reassess property every four years. How are we supposed to know how much building costs will go up during that time?&uot; Moseley said.

Russell Wagoner, a former Concordia Parish police juror who now serves as Police Jury secretary, also said such legislation, which Ways and Means didn’t act on Tuesday, would &uot;tie the hands of the assessor and the Police Jury.&uot;

Still, both said the bills, even if they are passed, won’t affect the parish much in the foreseeable future because when assessments go up, the jury rolls back its millage to take in about the same amount and keep tax bills about the same.

&uot;If we can operate with the same amount of revenues, we want to pass (that) along to the taxpayers,&uot; said Randy Temple, the Police Jury’s Finance Committee chairman.

Vidalia Mayor Hyram Copeland said that town also rolls back its millage when assessments rise, &uot;so it wouldn’t affect us dramatically.&uot;