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.