St. Tammany leaders and residents urge fixes as council delays 2026 budget amid public‑safety shortfall

The St. Tammany Parish Council postponed action on the 2026 operating budget and the 2026–2030 capital improvement program on Nov. 11 after a packed public hearing in which judges, prosecutors, law enforcement and social‑service advocates warned that cuts could threaten local public‑safety operations.

The council moved to delay final votes on Ordinance 7963 (the 2026 operating budget) and Ordinance 7964 (the capital plan) to the next meeting following repeated pleas to restore criminal‑justice funding. Councilmember Tanner made the motion to postpone the operating budget; the motion passed unanimously with two members absent. Tanner also moved to postpone the capital budget; the motion passed unanimously with one member absent.

Why it matters: Parish and justice officials said they face a near‑term fiscal cliff because a half‑cent sales tax that had supported the sheriff, the district attorney and judges has not been renewed. Parish President Michael B. Cooper told the council that only the parish general fund — roughly the small portion of ad valorem revenue the parish controls — is flexible, and that the administration expects to be able to fund roughly 70% of next year’s requested budgets for the courts and prosecution from non‑dedicated funds.

“Since taking office in 2020 … that half‑cent sales tax has put…