Committee refers $2.8M Oak Park drainage amendment and multi‑item grants package to full council

At a finance committee meeting, the chair called for a motion to refer three ordinances — calendar numbers 8054, 8055 and 8056 — to the full St. Tammany Parish Council. Rick Smith moved to refer the items and Mister Burke seconded; the committee called "All in favor" and the motion carried on the record.

Ordinance 8054 is described as the 2026 operating amendment No. 2 for public works and the drainage maintenance fund to support Oak Park Subdivision Drainage Phase 2. The total project budget is $2,800,000, to be allocated with $50,000 funded by Sales Tax District 3 and $2,750,000 from the drainage maintenance fund; the amendment covers design and construction of lateral improvements and culvert replacements. Perkins said a companion capital amendment (capital amendment No. 3) will be sought to mirror the operating amendment.

Ordinance 8056 is a grants amendment (No. 2) containing four items: distribution of $3,144,429 in opioid settlement year‑5 funds (some amounts unallocated in staff remarks); allocation of $358,550 for first‑responder equipment purchases (including chest compression systems and defibrillators); an energy assistance grant award of $1,502,214 for fiscal 2026 to aid low‑income families; and a DOTD mass transit award of $99,927 received in accordance with House Bill 1 from the legislative session (Transportation Trust Fund). Perkins also noted a small Keep Louisiana Beautiful/Keep America Beautiful summit grant for $1,677 to assist qualifying community affiliates.

The committee’s referral means the full council will consider the operating and capital amendments and the grants amendment in a subsequent meeting. The finance committee did not vote to adopt any of the amendments on the record; it only referred them to the full council.