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.
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.
Fill and grading standards for residential subdivisions (Ord. Cal. No. 8216)
Neighbors fought a 53-acre excavation over well water safety, dust, noise and truck traffic on a narrow two-lane road; the council ultimately upheld the Zoning Commission's approval 13-1. Residents vowed the fight isn't over as the project heads to permitting.
Townhouse and development moratoriums
The council extended or introduced six-month pauses on new apartments, PUDs and multifamily projects in Districts 5, 7, 11, 12, 13 and 14, citing apartment saturation, the future highway corridor and drainage basins.
Property tax appeals — Board of Review
The council opened its Board of Review for property owners disputing their assessments; appeals are due September 14.
Lock No. 2 Bridge and Woodlands drainage land acquisition
Two ordinances let the parish buy the land it needs for the Lock No. 2 bridge replacement and drainage fixes in The Woodlands subdivision.
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.
Law enforcement millage renewal on June ballot
The Sheriff's Office is asking voters to renew a 4.31-mill, ten-year law enforcement millage — about $8 a month on a $300,000 home — that funds 142 deputies, dispatch and equipment. The Sheriff says $9.3 million was shifted from the general fund to cover the jail and the millage is essential.
Library Board of Control leadership fight
A 9-4 vote kept Chuck Branton as library board chair over Col. Jason Trew after an hour of dueling public comment over book policies, censorship claims, board governance and temperament.