[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6455643,"mediaKeyId","5785268-4346aa96066b5ebfaa38ef53c4741421","parentId",5785268,"title","Sheriff CFO outlines jail costs, zero reserves and maintenance needs; warns of revenue risks","audioSeconds",73,"startMs",4763840,"endMs",4837355,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5785268-4346aa96066b5ebfaa38ef53c4741421&start=4763&end=4837","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5785268-4346aa96066b5ebfaa38ef53c4741421/thumbnail_4763840.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6455643/St-Tammany-Parish/Louisiana/Sheriff-CFO-outlines-jail-costs-zero-reserves-and-maintenance-needs-warns-of-revenue-risks","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455643-07c6778c502ca56bacf12678ed373ac2/orig.mp4?Expires=1773590868&Signature=Y2h5h0N3oU1OEPXD52r6-1rQMdbSI9JNkBFvvjZm0SY84pvO9YlbU2O2eGowCw4gZRpN7MdYJ44M9deH4VmYjNaBDdKFeQ7ysDoClyBS0mnG4JPGGarfJJyPvWTqsO4-Ue83hiBY7wNVpjLrY3q9NXucUL41ROdR4Zm5d0yWdOIf8NCEPQmszFV1fiyftba8sDo2uyO~kpIfjIlyf65gmiEQ-hmLhSZUzr7YCgVw5gCUaANXh-PvhEQ2qDnPFbKjeNz6T~raEMgPi-6Fb~nWrFMbNFL0sfUR3wWdJhFKB8eVplYdIpNpVIK9w-VDUUiOR6AWfkW9UduMk8XUm82L1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Tammany Parish, LA","date","2025-09-17T20:37:58Z","article","Lauren Hudson, chief financial officer for the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, told the council the jail has had a zero fund balance since fiscal 2020 and is operating with constrained resources. “The jail has had a 0 fund balance since our fiscal year 2020,” Hudson said.

Hudson gave a line‑by‑line overview of jail revenue and expense items that affect the parish budget. She said the jail projects about $656,000 in telephone and video commissions from inmates but that a pending federal change in pricing could reduce that revenue by roughly $400,000. She also listed major utility costs for the jail (electricity, water/sewer, gas) and said aging fixtures and appliances drive higher bills and frequent maintenance. Hudson urged the council to review the parish’s capital plan for plumbing controls, energy efficiency upgrades and kitchen and drain repairs that would reduce recurring costs.

Hudson described staffing and procurement realities: the jail had 227 billets in 2015 and 150 at present; she said an outside operational expert concluded staffing could not be cut further without impairing safety. She said much of the jail’s costs are personnel (about 97% of the operational spend goes to staff and direct support). On jail medical, Hudson said the parish is legally responsible under state law and presented two options: (1) the parish hire and administer medical staff directly — a substantial new administrative and staffing commitment — or (2) contract with the private vendor the sheriff currently uses (Correct Health), in which case the vendor would direct‑bill the parish for parish inmates. Hudson estimated that if the parish takes over jail medical administration the cost could increase by roughly two‑thirds compared with current direct‑billing arrangements.

Hudson also described tradeoffs in maintenance delivery: the sheriff’s office currently uses in‑house maintenance staff for some repairs at a lower hourly cost; the parish plan to outsource maintenance to contractors could raise hourly costs for emergency responses (plumbers and trades) compared with using sheriff‑employed maintenance personnel.

Ending: Hudson invited councilors to tour the jail and to review the parish capital plan and recommended close review of utility and plumbing control projects as near‑term cost‑savings opportunities.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","St. Tammany Parish 2026 Budget Hearings : September 16, 2025 - 1:00 pm","oneSentenceSummary","Lauren Hudson, CFO for the sheriff's office, told councilors the jail has had no fund balance since fiscal 2020, highlighted rising utility and maintenance costs for an aging facility, and warned that expected telephone‑commission revenue may fall under new federal rules.","taxTitle","St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana","taxId",4368,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6455648,"Coroner warns DNA lab funding will run out within two years after millage expiration; urges new millage or alternative revenue",165,2317405,2482755,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5785268-4346aa96066b5ebfaa38ef53c4741421&start=2317&end=2482","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5785268-4346aa96066b5ebfaa38ef53c4741421/thumbnail_2317405.jpg","/articles/6455648/St-Tammany-Parish/Louisiana/Coroner-warns-DNA-lab-funding-will-run-out-within-two-years-after-millage-expiration-urges-new-millage-or-alternative-revenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455648-29ca95c77a1cc6ce443496fbeb7c98e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1773590868&Signature=kx6UjqWKvLgvZ-IcFac~k669ooWC0dr-dCBsTDwE2L646sisgJXQ~tyGdPcZffrLyUio2DqGJrHTY1UObs2Amow5NcPo2PbwsVxXhLFLk4t48ErJJhiTBLyvft2K~eHTreM76ZBr4y0a-jKmYbSuXnOYqt6fDNKjsQun-A0TDadkO5X~MRF9e1vbNjtUVf7an2BKwIexEgFOdiIhK97oBBd3RfjAvrbVKF34AQ-YEQmrTYUGYgRDfCLbKAdyAfxMo~Zjg~JEzVWNKBCAuPzPmZri-F3p53sA~OYX3DNxhi0a2Ti8-y5U4sGqv9hcJsSHrvvZaUFoDwHjbmiE3YpdFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Christopher Tait, St. Tammany Parish coroner, told councilors the coroner’s dedicated millage ended in 2024 and that the office’s remaining ad valorem and earned revenues will sustain operations for “about two years” if no new revenue source is secured. “DNA solves crime and is instrumental in prosecuting criminals,” Tait said, urging the council to consider funding options to maintain the DNA lab and autopsy capacity.

Tait said the coroner’s office currently performs many death investigations and handles a significant volume of commitments and cremation permits; he provided counts for 2024 operations and said he personally performed about 295 autopsies in a recent year. He said the office covers DNA testing for local law enforcement without charging municipalities and that the in‑house lab can return some results in roughly 30 days, far faster than the state reference lab’s turnaround he described as closer to a year for nonurgent cases.

Tait warned that staffing losses in the DNA lab — three analyst vacancies — are the primary reason for a backlog of St. Tammany cases. He said recruiting forensic pathologists is difficult because of limited fellowship training slots nationally and competition for experienced specialists. He described the coroner’s office’s efforts to cut costs, including replacing salaried forensic psychiatrists with contracted specialists and other administrative changes that reduced roughly $1,000,000 in salaries while keeping services.

A representative from the District Attorney’s office and coroner finance staff told the council there is pending litigation over ad valorem tax money, and the district attorney advised against commenting on the litigation’s status; the coroner’s financial lead said a budget amendment may be required if expected tax receipts are not received. Tait and his staff discussed the possibility of asking the parish to place a renewal millage on a future ballot; Tait said a millage “around 2.5” mills was a ballpark estimate discussed internally but emphasized formal proposals would require further parish action and legal steps.

Ending: Coroner staff asked for council guidance on funding options and said they will continue to try to preserve services and seek alternatives; councilors and coroner staff agreed to follow up on potential timing for placing a millage question on the ballot.","Dr. Christopher Tait, the St. Tammany Parish coroner, told councilors the coroner millage ended in 2024 and that remaining dedicated funds will be exhausted in about two years; he said the parish’s in‑house DNA lab speeds investigations and that staffing losses have created a backlog.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6455653,"Stark says it is expanding residential homes for people with developmental disabilities, cites staffing and capital costs",463,1239735,1703685,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5785268-4346aa96066b5ebfaa38ef53c4741421&start=1239&end=1703","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5785268-4346aa96066b5ebfaa38ef53c4741421/thumbnail_1239735.jpg","/articles/6455653/St-Tammany-Parish/Louisiana/Stark-says-it-is-expanding-residential-homes-for-people-with-developmental-disabilities-cites-staffing-and-capital-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455653-32f5c6c97ba52c6bf6dc0bea59aed4f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1773590868&Signature=Io3ZTxOa9zjIr9~2S6fWrljpnUt79j~SvJmPEt62uxPF50aZXHyZa5u1fCKoNzE4CSAUz-i5Pqwhphx~Q9-ef2in0IQMutNh~~I9hluyVq8jbwlsH6e6DC3gpMNm1DWP-Eq2e4ZsBt1IUN4whoIIIFgEuZ3AxXbFnZERVJpDW5WgcKUZEOwgFdnAM0uFH6H0lCgsqrkZJTeF3FX8xP1eT7ImLWzD3OQg8JHWmlYZPz0cOGym1Cwhdrp2k0HGju-R1jTf3jTlr95p-NnFPEYWVoS0-jHHG7A20qwRy66w5tPgdHtFB5ES5J4MHiQ05IWfVfLvs0SmtzL3Mbq2dM4KZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Stark representative told the St. Tammany Parish Council that Stark provides services to more than 600 enrollments across programs and employs more than 250 staff, and that it operates multiple residential group homes for people with developmental disabilities. The speaker said Stark has four eight‑bed homes and two four‑bed homes in operation and is planning a fifth eight‑bed raised, sprinklered home; Stark also reported a waiting list of 25 people for residential placements.

The Stark presenter said residential staff provide 24/7 care and that the program’s demand is growing. “We currently have a waiting list of 25 people for those services,” the speaker said. He said the agency raised its starting direct‑care wage by $1 an hour recently, but that staffing costs—and contract labor used to fill overnight shifts—remain a pressure. The presenter said contract labor rates are higher than Stark’s direct hire rates and that contract labor contributed to added expense when staff vacancies were prolonged.

Stark outlined benefits for full‑time employees (subsidized medical, fully funded basic group life insurance, 401(k), voluntary benefits such as dental and vision, and an annual merit increase structure) and said it provides a $75 flat stipend for five paid holidays. The speaker said Stark’s total net equity was about $9.3 million for fiscal 2024‑25, with roughly $5.6 million tied to capital assets; about $2.0 million of the remaining balance is restricted for a new residential home. He said monthly operating expenses are about $750,000 and that reserves covered roughly 2.2 months of operating costs.

Council members asked for breakdowns of contracted professional fees and estimated wage increases needed to reduce contract labor. The Stark speaker said the agency saved about $150,000 last year by hiring direct staff instead of paying contract labor and by outsourcing financial management after its longtime CFO retired.

Ending: Stark asked councilors to consider the community need for residential placements and said it would continue to pursue funding and efficiency measures to keep homes open and to build the new facility for residents who remain on the wait list.","Stark told parish councilors it operates residential homes and program services for people with developmental disabilities, has a waiting list for residential placements, and is using reserves for a planned new home while facing higher contract and staffing costs.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6455658,"COAST reports growth in meals and rides, cites staffing and funding limits",483,17025,500715,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5785268-4346aa96066b5ebfaa38ef53c4741421&start=17&end=500","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5785268-4346aa96066b5ebfaa38ef53c4741421/thumbnail_17025.jpg","/articles/6455658/St-Tammany-Parish/Louisiana/COAST-reports-growth-in-meals-and-rides-cites-staffing-and-funding-limits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455658-1f0aad1650f19960a639a8cfa8e24105/orig.mp4?Expires=1773590868&Signature=VitqxRTmciae7U~qXMOeFfiic8X1xH2uG0bYh0Wz8TXYBRNb5QRLrv9TuFhJS7okIW2OU9kjJDwzMbB6UsT0knBF~gAjIIJourGmS5Uy-XDtBPJxSmJ8mxNpnfJbxA-iY-bnsorJdgJmoRrRNuEnhiC4tAjp7j2qe8dXTgD~~uzkp1zhFDTLTGLS26Fqa8i0h1eSDymhfqWpoeNkAUAHXR~XkmGR66ATtPMkiE4nZxQX-4K6phuYooxYCI6fYqYHG1WwRYjFb4Vroiv~Bp6-MZCTvluwNdAHjPfMrjaAA1JuhCjjX06Ym7fxu2O6bIudElNjUs1oivR6B3v~q-9kNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Amy Coudell, executive director of COAST (the Council on Aging of St. Tammany), told the St. Tammany Parish Council that COAST served nearly 160,000 meals and provided about 48,900 rides in fiscal year 2025, increases from the prior year. “We served nearly a 160,000 meals in fiscal year 2025,” Coudell said.

Coudell said COAST has 75 total employees — 56 full time, 16 part time and three substitutes — and eight exempt (director-level) positions. She told councilors the agency offers health insurance with the parish subsidy: “Coast pays $775 per employee towards whatever plan they choose,” and employee premium contributions range from $38 to $181 per pay period; 34 of 61 eligible employees are enrolled. She said COAST also provides dental, vision and life insurance at no cost to enrolled employees and a 3% retirement match.

The presentation outlined several revenue lines and fund balances. Coudell said COAST budgeted $2,400,000 from the Saint Tammany Parish millage for the coming fiscal year and expects $1,980,000 in Title III (Older Americans Act) discretionary funding from the Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs, subject to federal appropriations. COAST’s Star Transit urban operations contract was listed at $1,900,000 and a transit-related contract at $300,000, both expiring next year. She said the organization’s general fund balance grew to about $1,700,000 in 2025 and that nonspendable fund balance -- which includes buildings and fixed assets -- rose to about $6,300,000 after capital spending and FTA-funded vehicle purchases.

Council members pressed COAST about rising demand for transportation and meals and about driver shortages. Coudell said demand is driven by the parish’s age profile and medical-transport needs: “We have a lot of need for dialysis transportation… If we had unlimited funding, we would hire several more drivers and have several more vehicles.” She and councilors discussed pay and recruitment; COAST said it currently has an opening for a chauffeur driver and that operational limits include vehicle access in rural areas where smaller vans are needed.

Coudell said COAST discontinued a sitter/companionship program in April 2024 as a cost-saving step but still provides personal care and respite through volunteer partnerships (Volunteers of America) and other programs. She described travel expense entries as staff training, conferences and mileage reimbursements; some travel costs were tied to a grant from the Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs to reach homebound clients for COVID education.

Councilors asked COAST to supply a staffing-cost “rough order of magnitude” and a target pay rate that would reduce driver vacancies. Coudell said COAST would provide requested breakdowns and supporting graphics to Parish staff for distribution to council members.

COAST also described administrative consolidations and reduced budgeted staff positions (from 86 to 75) as cost-saving measures meant to preserve essential services for older adults in Saint Tammany Parish.

Ending: COAST provided the council with its organizational chart and said it would send requested follow-up materials to Parish staff. The council thanked COAST staff for the presentation and invited the agency to submit the detailed cost information requested by members.","COAST executives told St. Tammany Parish councilors the senior services nonprofit served more meals and provided more rides in fiscal 2025, described its current benefits and fund balances, and said transportation demand is outstripping current capacity.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Sheriff CFO outlines jail costs, zero reserves and maintenance needs; warns of revenue risks

Coroner warns DNA lab funding will run out within two years after millage expiration; urges new millage or alternative revenue

Stark says it is expanding residential homes for people with developmental disabilities, cites staffing and capital costs

COAST reports growth in meals and rides, cites staffing and funding limits