Parish adopts 2026 budget; council reallocates district funds and debates raising reserve minimum
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Summary
The Saint Charles Parish Council approved the 2026 consolidated operating and capital budget as amended, approved several district-level reallocations to community assistance accounts, and discussed (but did not vote on) a proposed long-term plan to increase the parish's minimum general fund balance toward $10 million.
The Saint Charles Parish Council unanimously approved the parish's 2026 consolidated operating and capital budget on Nov. 3, including a narrative correction to reflect a $14,000,000 loan for the Hornville wastewater treatment expansion that incorporates a $4,000,000 transfer from the general fund.
Council members also proposed and approved multiple district-level reallocations of council discretionary funds to community-services accounts. Councilwoman O'Daniels moved to reduce several district line items and transfer $10,540 to community service subgrants for emergency food and clothing and $21,085 to health-and-safety rehab for home repairs; the motion passed unanimously. Councilwoman Wilson moved a separate reallocation of $25,360 from district line items to split equally between rental assistance and food/clothing emergency assistance; that motion also passed unanimously.
During the budget hearing, one council member recommended the council consider an ordinance to raise the parish minimum general fund balance above the current statutory floor of $7,000,000. The speaker cited the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) guidance recommending an unrestricted balance of about two months' regular operating expenditures and noted Hurricane Ida and a prior $20,000,000 bond that was used after the parish exhausted available reserves. The council did not take an immediate vote on an increase but was asked to consider a phased plan to add $500,000 a year to the general fund beginning with the 2026 budget until a $10,000,000 floor is reached.
Council members asked staff for current balance figures; the parish's unrestricted balance was stated in the hearing as $7,000,001.78.
Ending note: The budget adopted at the meeting included the described district transfers and the loan narrative correction; the council signaled interest in policy-level discussion on minimum reserves at a later date but did not adopt a formal ordinance on that point during the Nov. 3 session.
