St. Tammany Parish · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in St. Tammany Parish public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
December 'Keep St. Tammany Safe' sales tax proposition
The council called a December 12, 2026 special election on a five-year, quarter-cent sales tax for the criminal justice system, avoiding a crowded November ballot. Critics like Carl Ernst say ten years is too long and want hard numbers first; supporters say due diligence can continue before the vote.
Impact fee update and refund provision (Ord. Cal. No. 8215)
The parish wants to raise road and drainage impact fees on new homes by over 27% and delete the ten-year refund provision. Home builders want an accounting of fees collected; staff says no refunds were ever issued and only about $7,000 is refundable.
2026 Budget Amendments
Six budget ordinances adjusted operating, capital and grants funds — from library and Safe Haven projects to opioid abatement money. One drew a lone no vote from Binder.
Coffee and bottled-water spending challenged
A Pearl River resident argued nearly $150,000 in coffee and water spending across parish, assessor and sheriff offices is unconstitutional gratuitous spending. Staff and legal said it passes the Cabello test and is bought at state-contract prices, and the council dropped the resolution.
Property tax appeals — Board of Review
The council opened its Board of Review for property owners disputing their assessments; appeals are due September 14.
FY2026 millage rates and drainage funding
Corbin's amendment slashes the drainage millage from 1.56 to 0.56, returning about $3.16 million a year to taxpayers. The parish president warned drainage was the only millage voters approved in 2021 and cutting it shifts costs to the sales tax and grants.
Read-only access to parish financial systems for councilmembers
Should every councilmember be able to log into parish financial software themselves? Administration says council staff can already pull any report; critics flagged training and security concerns. The resolution passed 12-1 after a failed attempt to postpone.