Committee urges tighter oversight of St. Tammany Mosquito Abatement District, recommends cutting millage toward 2 mills

The St. Tammany Parish government efficiency committee voted unanimously on Nov. 7 to forward a package of recommendations to the full parish council aimed at tighter fiscal oversight of the St. Tammany Parish Mosquito Abatement District and a proposed reduction in its millage rate.

The committee’s recommendations, presented by the chair and approved by voice vote, ask the council to maintain the district’s dedicated funding but move the millage closer to about 2 mills — a level the chair said would generate about $6.2 million annually — require an expert review of the district’s laboratory operations and pursue changes in state or special local law so the parish council has budgetary authority over the district.

Why it matters: Committee members and public speakers said the district collects significant tax revenue and that taxpayers are near capacity for new levies. Critics at the meeting urged fiscal restraint and greater transparency; district counsel…