By JIM BUTLER

Voters are being asked to renew two parishwide property taxes Saturday. One is a very visible proposal; the other seemingly off the public’s radar.

The Renaissance Community Receiving Home’s funding is drawing the attention while a levy for senior services doesn’t seem to be.

Gov. Jeff Landry has weighed in on the importance of Renaissance in the state’s plans for juvenile offenders, as have District Attorney Phillip Terrell and State Sen. Jay Luneau.

The opposition seems more loose knit but no less vociferous.

Renaissance has served the juvenile justice and care system for half a century. Last year it proposed increasing its tax base to provide facilities for violent underage offenders.

That was soundly rejected. Now, shelter officials are asking only for renewal for 10 years of the 2.06-mill tax that funds the operation, yielding about $2.3 million a year.

Some opponents argue against allowing non-property owners to vote on the matter.

The Supreme Court ruled a half-century ago that excluding any voters violates the equal protection rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

The Court held that non-property owners essentially pay property tax through prices for goods and services.

Some opponents say they don’t want to pay for a program that doesn’t involve them.

Supporters point out the parish is required to provide juvenile services. Absent the dedicated tax, they say, the parish General Fund will have to bear the costs.

Some opponents want no more taxes — new or renewed. Supporters counter that no one likes taxes but that some are necessary.

The opponents haven’t been as vocal regarding the senior services levy, though some of the same arguments could apply.

That 1.16 mills generates about $1.2 million for various activities directed toward older residents.