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.