St. Tammany council asks state to repeal special mosquito statute after heated public comment

On March 12, 2026, the St. Tammany Parish Council voted 13–1 to approve Resolution C-7266 asking the state legislative delegation to repeal a piece of special legislation (referenced in the meeting as Louisiana Revised Statute 337728) that applies uniquely to the St. Tammany Parish Mosquito Abatement District.

The resolution’s sponsor told the council the change is intended to align the local mosquito district with how other parish mosquito districts operate under state law and to remove obsolete or unused provisions. The item prompted more than a dozen public comments during the pulled-item discussion, many urging the council to preserve the district’s independence because the district is funded by a dedicated millage. Joan Simon, a resident who spoke during the public comment period, told the council: "This resolution needs to fail. I say vote no," arguing the board has protected public health and that voters had approved dedicated funding for that purpose.

Dr. Vicki Trainador, identified in public comments as chair of the St. Tammany Parish Mosquito Abatement Board, said the board had tried to negotiate a narrow revision but was presented the broader repeal with little time to respond and asked the council to table and revise. "We want to work with the council," she said, "but I respectfully request that we table and revise." Several other speakers made similar points, stressing technical expertise and the value of an apolitical, specialized board.

Council members debated the intent and scope of the resolution. In response to concerns about dedicated funds, a council member stated during the meeting, "Dedicated millage. It cannot go anywhere else," and the parish attorney confirmed that dedicated tax funds must be used for the purpose for which voters approved them. The council nevertheless approved the resolution to seek repeal of the special statute; the motion to call the question passed earlier in the debate, and the resolution passed on the final vote 13 yays, one nay.

What happens next: the resolution requests action by the parish’s state legislative delegation. The vote does not itself change the district’s millage or allow the council to reallocate dedicated funds; any statutory change would have to pass in the state legislature. The Mosquito Abatement Board and council members indicated a desire to continue working together on budget-review processes and related oversight questions.

The meeting transcript shows sustained public interest in the issue, with multiple residents and board members asking for clarity and more time to negotiate language. The council’s action on March 12 is procedural — asking the state to act — and any final change to the district’s statutory authority would require state-level action and, where relevant, compliance with voter-approved millage restrictions.