St. Mary Parish Council orders June 27 special election on Home Rule Charter rewrite

Chairperson Gwendolyn L. Hidalgo announced the St. Mary Parish Council voted Feb. 11 to call a special election for Saturday, June 27, 2026, on a proposed, restated Home Rule Charter that would restructure parish government. Dean Adams moved the resolution and Dr. Kristi Prejeant Rink seconded; the measure passed 9-1-0-1, with Councilmember Patrick Hebert voting no and one member absent.

The proposed charter, as summarized in the resolution, would reduce the council from eleven members (eight district and three at-large) to eight single-member districts, eliminate at-large seats, update council and parish-president compensation with four-year cost-of-living adjustments, establish new term limits, designate the Parish President as chief executive and administrative officer (eliminating the separate chief administrative officer position), and clarify procedures for vacancies, meetings and ordinance publication.

The resolution requires application to the State Bond Commission and sets the council canvass for July 22, 2026. It includes typical implementation steps: publishing election notices, designating polling places and officers, and forwarding certified copies to state officials. The estimated cost of the election included in the published notice is $85,200.

Supporters said the changes are intended to modernize operations and align leadership roles; opponents cautioned about timing, costs and removal of at-large representation. The resolution authorizes the chair and clerk to make ministerial edits required by state or federal authorities and to employ special counsel as needed for election matters.

The council will meet to canvass returns at the Parish Council Meeting Room, 500 Main Street, Franklin, La., on July 22, 2026 at 6:00 p.m., per the resolution. Further implementation depends on State Bond Commission approval and any required statutory adjustments.