WBRZ - Baton Rouge

ABBEVILLE - The Vermilion Parish Police Jury has voted unanimously to appeal a state court ruling that prohibits the Vermilion Hurricane Flood Protection District from imposing a parish-wide tax in the city of Abbeville.

State District Judge Jules Edwards issued the ruling.

The 5.7-mill tax for coastal storm protection, if passed, is expected to be used as leverage to sell $20 million in bonds for coastal protection.

Attorney Paul Moresi said the decision was issued because Abbeville has a special legislative charter that only allows the parish to impose a tax in the city for a courthouse, roads, jails and libraries.

The police jury voted Wednesday to appeal the ruling with the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal.