Sunday, February 9, 2025
Sunday, February 9, 2025

Justin Centanni: Get to Know Your Elected Officials

Get to Know Your Elected Officials Series

By KAREN LAGRANGE COX

Lafayette Parish Assessor-Elect Justin Centanni takes office on January 1, 2025. The current Assessor, Conrad Comeaux, has allowed Centanni to start working at the Assessor’s office since July 8, 2024, to help with the transition.

Working at the Assessor’s Office has allowed Centanni to be involved in reassessing properties, the open book period, and all of the millage and rate-setting meetings.

Centanni’s goal when he becomes the Assessor is to make technological improvements for the office. Previously working as an Information Technology (IT) manager in the banking industry, his experience with technology will help him achieve these needed upgrades. He sees the role of Assessor has become more of an Information Technology (IT) job than ever before.

Once the technological improvements for the office are implemented, Centanni envisions the process being quicker, more accurate, and less expensive in the long term. The fundamental work will stay the same with the upgrading of technology for the Assessor’s Office.

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There are three parish government offices involved with property taxes: 1) The Assessor’s office accesses property millages and tax rates, 2) The Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court records the property records, and 3) The Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office sends out invoices and collects for property taxes.

The Assessor’s office is connected with State and Federal governments, and residents’ information is already out there. Centanni wants to leverage existing records from other government bodies to provide a paperless experience.  Residents would have the option of using an online system or continuing to visit the Assessor’s office for assistance.  Ultimately, having the option of filing online for homestead exemption or senior valuation freezes online would deliver a more efficient experience for those taxpayers who expect to file paperwork electronically.

Centanni plans to provide educational videos and blog posts on how the Assessor’s office works. Residents can always call (337) 291-7080 for assistance. The office is now at 213 West Vermilion Street, Lafayette, Louisiana, in the former Capital One Bank building.

Before being elected as Assessor, Centanni served as a Lafayette Parish School Board (LPSB) District 6 member from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2023. When asked why he ran for school board member, he said his three children were entering the public school system and wanted to be part of helping to improve it.

After serving on the LPSB, he realized he loved being a public servant and wanted to help constituents navigate government systems. It was then that he decided to run for Assessor. His expertise in finance and technology is important for his upcoming role.

The Thibodaux native graduated from the Louisiana School for Math Sciences and the Arts in Natchitoches, Louisiana, in 1995. He then attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL) and went on to receive a degree in Computer Information Systems from Nichols State in Thibodaux, Louisiana.

Centanni is married to Marie Desormeaux, who is a native of Abbeville. She brought him home to Lafayette, and they have three children.

While not working, Centanni enjoys watching the New Orleans Saints football games and spending time with children and family.


If any elected official serving Broussard or Youngsville, Louisiana, would like to participate in the Get to Know Your Elected Officials series, please email info@bylocalnews.com.

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