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Tangipahoa Parish fire board picks American Bank and Trust as fiscal agent, sets Dec. 22 budget hearing
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Summary
At its Nov. 24 meeting the Tangipahoa Parish fire board selected American Bank and Trust as fiscal agent for 2026–2028, approved the monthly budget and check register, introduced an amended 2025 budget and set a public hearing for Dec. 22; members also agreed to form a committee to pursue additional funding after large insurance increases.
The Tangipahoa Parish fire board voted Nov. 24 to appoint American Bank and Trust as the district’s fiscal agent for the three-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2026, and ending Dec. 31, 2028. Board members said the finance committee recommended the bank after a competitive solicitation of local institutions.
Finance lead Mister Dennis told the board the district advertised the contract in the official journal and sent letters to nine local financial institutions; “we received four responses back from those nine,” he said, and noted American Bank and Trust “look[ed] to be [the] most favorable proposal” considering interest paid on public deposits and service charges. A motion to select American Bank and Trust was moved and seconded and carried on a roll-call vote recorded in the meeting.
The board also approved the monthly budget and the check register. During the finance update members noted one department is currently over budget; staff said they will develop a solution and report back next week.
The board received a proposed amended operating budget for the current fiscal year and a proposed operating budget for 2026, with the documents provided side-by-side for comparison. Members voted to receive the proposed amended 2025 budget, authorize the clerk to advertise a public hearing, and set the hearing for Dec. 22. Board staff said final adoption of the 2026 budget will be taken up at the December meeting after the public hearing.
Under "other fire matters," board members discussed forming a committee to pursue additional revenue sources, including the possibility of a millage or local sales tax. One speaker in the meeting described steep recent increases in insurance costs, saying insurance was about $850,000 this year and about $1.7 million next year; several members said that spike underscores the need for public engagement and clear accounting of how new revenue would be spent.
Board members suggested a committee made up of council members, fire chiefs and several public representatives; staff will solicit volunteers, coordinate with the Chiefs Association and aim for an initial meeting in early January.
Next steps: the district will advertise the Dec. 22 public hearing on the proposed amended 2025 budget; the fiscal agent selection takes effect Jan. 1, 2026; and staff will convene the funding committee in early January.
