St. Tammany Parish · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in St. Tammany Parish public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
New Acadian Ambulance services contract
A new four-year ambulance contract starting January 1 adds the medical helicopter, shortens backup distances, changes response reporting and adds a dispatch dashboard — all at no cost to the parish.
NAMI and the Safe Haven campus funding crisis
A consent item greenlights a medically assisted treatment clinic at the Safe Haven campus in Mandeville, run with Florida Parishes Human Service Authority.
Parish jail conditions and funding shortfall
The sheriff says the proposed budget leaves him needing about $15 million from his own fund — 20% of it — just to run the parish jail, whose aging infrastructure is failing: AC breakdowns, water leaks and closed housing units. Accreditation and the $5 million federal inmate revenue are at risk.
Courts and District Attorney face 60% cuts
The council closed its meeting to discuss the parish's ongoing lawsuit against District Attorney Warren Montgomery over the criminal justice funding dispute.
Coroner's DNA laboratory closure
The coroner's DNA lab faces a 60% cut after its millage failed to renew, and its reserves run out mid-2027. Cases would move to the state lab, which won't handle burglaries or thefts and takes far longer — hurting prosecutions.