DeSoto Parish jurors approve 2026 budget after heated debate over church grants
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Summary
After public comment and internal debate about nongovernmental grants to churches, the DeSoto Parish Police Jury adopted a 2026 operating budget; jurors lost and won motions to remove church funding before ultimately approving the budget as presented.
The DeSoto Parish Police Jury on Dec. 1 adopted its operating budget for the fiscal year beginning Jan. 1, 2026, after several hours of public comment and internal debate focused on whether nongovernmental grant funds should include payments to churches. The motion to approve the budget, moved and seconded by jurors, carried after multiple rounds of discussion and procedural votes.
The debate centered on whether line items listed under the “nongovernmental grant” section that referenced specific churches — including St. Mark Baptist and Canaan Baptist Church — should be removed. Residents and ministry leaders urged jurors to retain the grants, arguing faith‑based organizations run programs that serve parish residents. Charlotte, a taxpayer who spoke during the public hearing, pointed to blank amounts on the 2026 spreadsheet for those churches and asked staff for clarification; staff replied that the funding requests were submitted by foundations such as the Melvin Foundation and therefore appeared under that name on submission documents. Ministry representative Melvin Porter urged the jury to consider the long history of church programs in the community and their role in youth work.
Opponents on the panel and some jurors argued awarding parish funds to churches could create a precedent and raise questions about equal treatment across more than 100 houses of worship in the parish. During deliberations a juror offered an amendment to remove funding for churches from the nongovernmental grants section; that alternate motion failed in roll call after discussion. The jury then proceeded to vote on final passage of the 2026 operating budget; the chair announced the motion passed.
The finance officer had presented November financials before the budget vote, reporting that the general fund had revenues and expenses near expected levels and providing fund balance figures and line‑item performance. Jurors also approved the month’s financial report by motion earlier in the meeting.
What happens next: The 2026 budget is effective Jan. 1, 2026. Jurors and staff indicated they will continue to refine budget sub‑sections and provide clarifications about nongovernmental grant entries at future meetings.
