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Tangipahoa Parish Council approves ordinances, bridge projects and sets July 2026 special election for health-unit tax renewal
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Summary
At its March 9 meeting the Tangipahoa Parish Council approved a package of ordinances, change orders and bridge resolutions, adopted a 90-day extension of a moratorium on certain facility applications, and authorized a July 2026 special election to renew a 4-mill health-unit tax.
The Tangipahoa Parish Council on March 9 approved a series of ordinances, resolutions and contract changes and set a special election in July 2026 to seek voter approval to renew a 4-mill ad valorem tax for parish health units.
Council members voted to adopt TP Ordinance 26-08, lowering the speed limit on Leander Lane in District 1 to 25 miles per hour, and TP Ordinance 26-09, which amends Chapter 36 (planning and development) to add a public-hearing requirement for items outside the parish’s drainage district. Both measures passed after motions and roll-call votes.
The council also approved several construction-related actions. Change Order No. 1 for the West Mulberry Street extension was approved to address unexpected soil conditions, adding $81,593.75 to that project; officials said the cost is in the project budget and the state shares in the increase. Council approved Change Order No. 3 for Ponchatoula pedestrian improvements on Pine Street — a seven-day extension and quantity adjustments with a net increase of $5,202.42 — and certified substantial completion for the same project after the engineer and the City of Ponchatoula indicated satisfaction with work performed.
Resolutions authorizing bridge work and related detour routes also passed. The council adopted TP Resolution R26-08 (Williams Road over Spring Creek bridge replacement) and R26-09 (a detour route for that replacement). Members noted additional bridge replacements are planned and that work has started on Easy Road. The council also adopted TP Resolution R26-12 authorizing the detour route for the North Brickyard Road bridge replacement.
The body voted to move forward with condemnation proceedings for a structure at 14086 New Genesee (assessment 1111806) and previously accepted a condemnation report for the same address (assessment 1111809) in District 4.
On budget and tax matters, the council adopted TP Resolution R26-10 calling a special election in July 2026 to ask voters to renew a 4-mill ad valorem tax for a 10-year period to fund maintenance, operation and development of parish health units. The transcript records the meeting’s announcement of the election date with inconsistent phrasing, noted as "Saturday, July 06/27/2026" in the record; the council’s motion authorized making application to the State Bond Commission and proceeding with required steps to schedule the election.
Committee members explained the proposed health-unit levy would fund immunizations and direct services for residents who lack insurance, and urged support for the renewal. A council member said, “this tax benefits a lot of our citizens in the parish,” and another added that parish health units are critical for underserved families.
Several motions and ordinance introductions were scheduled for public hearing March 23, including TP Ordinance 26-10 (abandonment of dedication for a portion of James Stanger Lane in District 2). TP Ordinance 26-11 — an extension of a temporary moratorium on processing applications under Article 9 of Chapter 26 for halfway houses, addiction-treatment and similar facilities — was adopted for an additional 90 days so a committee can complete its review and report back to the Development Review Committee (DRC).
The council’s roll-call votes recorded approvals for the items above; members who spoke during debate emphasized public health and infrastructure maintenance. The meeting closed with announcements about upcoming community meetings and festivals.
