[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6427196,"mediaKeyId","5888111-9dad08eddb90ba921ecaf9c03b153faf","parentId",5888111,"title","Monsanto agent urges large assessment cut for Luling plant; assessor, council say evidence falls short","audioSeconds",898,"startMs",167000,"endMs",1065000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5888111-9dad08eddb90ba921ecaf9c03b153faf&start=167&end=1065","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5888111-9dad08eddb90ba921ecaf9c03b153faf/thumbnail_167000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6427196/St-Charles-Parish/Louisiana/Monsanto-agent-urges-large-assessment-cut-for-Luling-plant-assessor-council-say-evidence-falls-short","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6427196-292f26c0d9338b1df4c6ca12fe9ce423/orig.mp4?Expires=1770972918&Signature=XaHGJTrCW~1n0ujlm~VK60K48JgrFJSN3Bjp7ujaQ4aHS38dAvyzXKdMHVnOBqLxhaThZjcDUuIfdpNe6a85BvpK7A6wpvG9~mXlYchgPWS8miiSjR-kHJBBIJ9RTAliRSIGXaHWv8vljgsMRuPlTC3lOTxB1RjZbbttqiNQb0N20awu1L2ZaN03QLgnD4RSTE9BGXHLT27fZwgGmny-oqssNlQEIvw9~c1BxnjPRGYs-w-mhQU~xp7LRSxxW4USuGa3Xmbx6uv9TQBhfN0jcsTgogu4lt~RB-de5JE2nPLsyMeC7xeP3iXav-j63yShLIaiWX61jYDT~jm0b~rpvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Charles Parish","date","2025-10-06T22:59:29Z","article","An agent for Monsanto Company asked the St. Charles Parish Council, sitting as the board of review on Oct. 6, to lower the taxed value of Monsanto’s Luling chemical plant by citing ‘‘economic obsolescence’’ tied to overseas competition and litigation. Assessor Troxler told the council the evidence provided so far does not meet the burden needed to justify the reduction.

The appeal, filed as part of the board of review hearing, centered on the plant’s production of glyphosate and the effect of lower market prices and ongoing litigation. Richard Griffin, who identified himself as the agent for Monsanto and gave a Round Rock, Texas, address, told the council that market forces and legal exposure had reduced the site’s economic prospects. \"The prices for that have fallen almost 50% while our costs to produce have increased by 26%,\" Griffin said. He also said litigation has been widespread: \"There’s been 93 thousand cases against Monsanto and Bayer ... 67,000 cases are still pending.\"

The council heard that Monsanto engaged KPMG to prepare an appraisal but that KPMG ‘‘relied on a market approach’’ because it could not isolate plant-specific cash flows. Griffin said Bayer (Monsanto’s corporate parent) was considering stopping U.S. glyphosate production and that the company had already altered retail Roundup formulations.

Assessor Troxler, responding to the presentation, said his office had examined the materials and followed Louisiana Tax Commission guidance, notably Chapter 25 of the Louisiana Tax Commission rules and regulations. Troxler told the council the assessor’s office and the taxpayer differ by roughly $405 million on the plant valuation and that, under state guidelines, the taxpayer bears the burden of producing \"sufficient evidence\" to support economic obsolescence. \"I am required on the Louisiana Constitution to consider all three approaches to value,\" Troxler said, adding that the information provided to the assessor did not isolate facility-level cash flows or certified financials that would allow him to justify a $400 million reduction.

Council members pressed both sides. Councilwoman O'Daniels asked Troxler to describe the legal burden for reversing the assessor’s value; Troxler said a taxing authority would need defensible, auditable evidence to justify a reversal. Councilman Fisher asked whether Monsanto planned additional appraisal work; Griffin said KPMG had completed an appraisal for the year but that some financial details were withheld from public disclosure for confidentiality reasons and that Bayer planned further expert work to share with the assessor.

Other council members pointed to past concessions the parish has granted to the company — including accelerated depreciation on certain vessels and a prior large obsolescence allowance for a demolished facility — and said those precedents show the assessor’s office has previously recognized obsolescence when supported by evidence. But members also said they could not verify how Monsanto arrived at the lower valuation without more detailed financial data.

The board moved on after the hearing and later voted to accept and certify the assessor’s 2025 assessment roll as submitted to the Louisiana Tax Commission; the vote to accept and certify the assessment roll passed unanimously.

The record of the hearing shows the dispute will likely continue through formal appeal channels: Troxler noted that the 2024 case remains on appeal to the Louisiana Tax Commission, and both the taxpayer and the assessor said they will continue to exchange valuation materials. The council did not make a separate judgment replacing the assessor’s value; it certified the assessor’s submission to the Louisiana Tax Commission.

The council’s action preserves the assessor’s current valuation for the parish’s 2025 assessment cycle while leaving the taxpayer options to pursue further review at the tax commission or through additional submissions to the assessor.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","St. Charles Parish Council Meeting for October 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","An agent for Monsanto asked the St. Charles Parish Council acting as the board of review to recognize economic obsolescence at the Luling plant, citing price declines and litigation. Assessor Troxler said the taxpayer bears the burden of proof and the assessor’s valuation stands for now.","taxTitle","St. Charles Parish, Louisiana","taxId",62169,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6427182,"River Parishes Tourist Commission reports $163 million annual visitor spending, highlights events that drove hotel bookings",618,2074000,2692000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5888111-9dad08eddb90ba921ecaf9c03b153faf&start=2074&end=2692","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5888111-9dad08eddb90ba921ecaf9c03b153faf/thumbnail_2074000.jpg","/articles/6427182/St-Charles-Parish/Louisiana/River-Parishes-Tourist-Commission-reports-163-million-annual-visitor-spending-highlights-events-that-drove-hotel-bookings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6427182-e9f448cb5bebaabd02c89b1b4f9d3e68/orig.mp4?Expires=1770972918&Signature=IcRkMSIoHu-l2ii~cszyjK2brb6raWiqm9ay4JePTn6T89x~YUiPUGix5S0gdvDJIAIU5tyGXIf1tt~N-fbX93L5tH3AF4GMuwKAFABtIkzFZZT0X9us7P79WfXgY5G7AroSTrDIwac6ZYmxH1SPP1GnY33a7Ru~3iY8OixDl-l7L5bnJTsYCP7Ct9v7X-kIWXatBuCQiyazmpuzQoPvKfQOE2AxLLOwrc4QLUokh0vkMP2MBw~R9EdrhwSPoHendRSaEBU0~HgHu8Jc0~dCkT3wPNIdntn6YuC3m1ab-1QdvTYK2WX3jJ3qTmkn9Ck2tkcmZOlO1a~adqaY6ieH6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The River Parishes Tourist Commission told the St. Charles Parish Council on Oct. 6 that visitor spending in the region exceeds $163 million annually and supports more than 2,100 jobs. Denise Burrell, executive director, presented the commission’s fiscal year highlights and a work plan for the coming year.

\"Tourism is economic development,\" Burrell said, summarizing the commission’s message to the council. She said visitor spending supports local businesses and generates state and local tax revenue estimated at $16.6 million.

Burrell highlighted several events and partnerships that she said generated measurable hotel bookings and restaurant sales. The American Cruise Lines calls at the Vashon (Vacherie) landing brought more than 15,000 visitors to the region this year, she said. The commission relaunched a tourist investment grant program and helped fund festivals and marketing that, the commission said, increased overnight stays.

Burrell pointed to a September tournament—the King Cat Tournament Trail and King Kids Fishing Rodeo—as an example of an event that produced direct economic benefit to the parish. \"The event brought in 37 boats and 95 anglers from 15 states including 31 first-time participants and 64 returning anglers,\" she said, adding that the accompanying King Kids rodeo offered free fishing instruction for children.

Burrell outlined initiatives planned for the next fiscal year, including a River Parishes Ambassador Program to train frontline hospitality staff, a visitor-profile study to measure visitation and spending, relaunching a regional tourism summit in 2026, site improvements to the commission’s website and a familiarization (FAM) tour for local hospitality staff. She also said the commission will host the Southern Travelers Explore Conference in February 2026 to welcome travel writers and tourism professionals to the region.

Burrell asked for continued partnership with St. Charles Parish government and local chambers. The commission’s presentation emphasized marketing cooperation with the Louisiana Office of Lieutenant Governor and other regional partners and listed subbrands such as New Orleans Plantation Country and New Orleans Swamp Country.

The council did not take action on the presentation. Burrell closed by thanking the council and parish president for continued partnership. \"Tourism creates jobs, generates tax funds and enhances the quality of life of our residents,\" she said.","The River Parishes Tourist Commission presented fiscal-year highlights including a King Cat tournament that drew out-of-state anglers, economic impact estimates and several upcoming festivals.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6427173,"St. Charles Parish Council approves assessment certification, zoning changes and multiple infrastructure contracts at Oct. 6 meeting",6304,96000,6400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5888111-9dad08eddb90ba921ecaf9c03b153faf&start=96&end=6400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5888111-9dad08eddb90ba921ecaf9c03b153faf/thumbnail_96000.jpg","/articles/6427173/St-Charles-Parish/Louisiana/St-Charles-Parish-Council-approves-assessment-certification-zoning-changes-and-multiple-infrastructure-contracts-at-Oct-6-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6427173-f647454043beb5a2f342174589283579/orig.mp4?Expires=1770972918&Signature=JVW6U8dqGPRlraemybiXGOPi~K27qRzS0XThNtwpdT--jQpf-VoNAF667S5fMas2uTKG-7c-pNYPijiywG~HkX49Z1ZMj2fO214rNO5cbKETnDBwp-JtaDElARHeXPtmCUI3Z~wEJI6AVGk8WSs-KOUD2mz7KoQ08~94Bn91D4kX6jtx~9coOEYmmfixQb-agw5zSLsKnVuG7I3rjJcYZisIZJKQdOejHkU6YCrFRF~HXLPqVScSV51GJMrctMwGzwpGGRz69exv-HjSZqKMJKMR-ve8DaCR1BL4AArJhlP0FWAKPDle8mGR7JyastyXPVbCh7X21a3KgA~ZwUXI0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The St. Charles Parish Council on Oct. 6 certified the assessor’s 2025 assessment roll and approved a package of ordinances, rezoning requests, contracts, and resolutions covering zoning, subdivision rules, flood-control engineering, roadway maintenance and a state industrial tax-exemption application.

Actions at a glance (file numbers and outcomes):

- File 2025-0302: Accept and certify the 2025 assessment roll as submitted by the assessor to the Louisiana Tax Commission — passed unanimously (motion by Councilwoman Duboisier; second by Councilman Fisher).

- File 2025-0286: Rezone Lot 4-11-A-5, Plantation Business Campus, 13080 River Road, Destrehan, from M-1 (light manufacturing) to C-2 (general commercial) — passed unanimously.

- File 2025-0287: Rezone lots in Ellington Gardens (Angus Drive, Luling) from C-2 to C-3 (highway commercial) — passed (Councilwoman Fonska voted no).

- Files 2025-0288, 2025-0289, 2025-0284: A series of residential rezoning requests (R-1AM to R-2; R-1M to R-1AM; R-1A to R-2) — each passed unanimously.

- File 2025-0203: Zoning ordinance amendment to exempt off-street parking paving requirements for manufactured and mobile homes in R-1AM districts — passed unanimously.

- File 2025-0291: Ordinance to increase the minimum setback for accessory buildings from 3 feet to 5 feet (to establish 10 feet separation between structures) — passed unanimously.

- File 2025-0293: Subdivision ordinance amendment to codify a waiver process for private sewer facilities — passed unanimously.

- Files 2025-0296 and 2025-0297: Professional services agreements with Berkley & Peter Inc. for engineering on the Ellington structures/Cousins Pump Station T-wall and Sunset Drainage Pump Station rehabilitation — both approved unanimously.

- File 2025-0298: Geotechnical services contract with Eustis Engineering LLC for the Ellington/Cousins T-wall — passed unanimously. Parish president Jewell noted updated geotechnical borings and federal coordination for the project.

- File 2025-0299: Change order No. 1 with Barrie Construction Company LLC for road maintenance 2024–25 (adds $626,929.15 and 20 calendar days) — passed unanimously.

- File 2025-0307: Resolution approving an Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) application for W. R. Grace & Co. (project ID 20230486-ITEP) for expansions and safety improvements in Norco — passed unanimously after committee review.

- File 2025-0301: Resolution granting solicitation permission to Knights of Columbus Council No. 3634 for November 2025 fundraising — passed unanimously.

- Appointments and resignations: The council confirmed Patrick Beard to the River Parishes Transit Authority (unexpired term through 01/09/2028) and accepted Frances Annie F. Harmon’s resignation from the St. Charles Parish Library Board of Control (District 2). Both votes were unanimous.

Most measures passed with little debate. A handful of zoning petitions generated extended discussion; the council and planning staff noted a concurrent review of C-2 and C-3 uses to consider modernizing those categories. The council scheduled multiple public hearings for the fiscal-year 2026 consolidated operating and capital budget.","Council certified the assessor’s 2025 assessment roll, approved several rezonings, adopted code amendments, and authorized engineering and construction contracts and change orders in votes held Oct. 6.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Monsanto agent urges large assessment cut for Luling plant; assessor, council say evidence falls short

River Parishes Tourist Commission reports $163 million annual visitor spending, highlights events that drove hotel bookings

St. Charles Parish Council approves assessment certification, zoning changes and multiple infrastructure contracts at Oct. 6 meeting