St. Tammany Parish · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in St. Tammany Parish public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
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.
Goodbee-area rezonings (Ordinances 8153 and 8154)
The council rezoned two parcels near Ronald Reagan Highway and Highway 1077 for suburban residential development — the smaller Esperanza tract (10-4) and the larger ~800-home Isidore tract (8-6). Residents warned of flooding, traffic gridlock and schools; the developer says engineering and drainage studies come later and the UDC governs.
H1 Associates Covington rezoning appeals (Highway 1077 corridor)
Two appeals of the Zoning Commission's denial of up to ~700 homes between Ronald Reagan Hwy and Hwy 1077 near Covington. The Council overrode both denials after the developer agreed to lower density, bigger buffers, and 200-year storm drainage — but residents fear flooding and traffic on already-stressed roads.