Sheriff Gerald Sticker told the Tangipahoa Parish Council on Oct. 14 that he will ask voters on Nov. 15 to approve a 10-year, three-quarter cent sales tax to increase pay and expand the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Sticker said the sheriff’s office is short-staffed across patrol, communications, school resource officers and corrections, and that the agency currently has about 53 open positions. “At the time the printing of this public publication, we have 53 openings,” Sticker said. “We are shorthanded everywhere.”

The sheriff told the council the office raised starting pay to $18.25 per hour after internal reallocations but remains below neighboring agencies. If approved, the measure would raise starting pay to about $21 per hour and expand budgeted positions from 267 to about 317 and uniform “gun‑toting” positions from 229 to 279, Sticker said. “This sales tax … won’t get us to the top of the list, but it’ll at least put us in a game where we can retain people,” he said.

Sticker outlined how the money would be used: competitive pay to reduce turnover, funding for 20 additional patrol deputies, 10 jailers, seven school resource officers, six detectives, three dispatchers, two traffic positions and two marine units. He said the average cost to onboard and equip a deputy—academy, equipment and vehicle—exceeds $100,000. “The average cost to onboard a deputy … is over a $100,000,” he said.

Asked about the proposal’s tax mechanics, Sticker said the ballot would ask voters to replace a 10‑mill property tax with a 0.75% sales tax, shifting more of the burden to consumers and visitors. He said the sales tax would exclude EBT purchases. “We’re giving up a 10 mil property tax and asking the voters to approve a 3 quarter cent sales tax,” Sticker said. He added the sales tax is designed as a 10‑year renewal to address concerns about permanence: “If we don’t do what we say we’re gonna do, then you in 10 years, you have the opportunity to take that money back.”

Sticker said the parish’s geographic spread and recent events along waterways have increased demand for river patrols and other services. He described one-deputy boat patrols as insufficient and said additions to marine enforcement are part of the requested staffing increases.

The presentation was informational; no council action was required. Several council members asked questions; no formal endorsement or opposition was recorded in the meeting minutes.

Why it matters: The sheriff’s request would create a new, dedicated revenue stream for law enforcement, increase starting wages and add positions that the sheriff says are necessary to reduce response times and retain trained personnel. Because the measure goes to the voters, its approval would shift the parish’s revenue mix and change how public safety is funded for the next decade.