St. Tammany Proposes 2027 Budget As Millions In Shortfalls Loom

ST. TAMMANY PARISH, La. — St. Tammany Parish leaders are preparing for another difficult budget year as the parish faces a multimillion-dollar General Fund shortfall and ongoing questions over how to pay for essential government services.

Parish President Mike Cooper has proposed a 2027 budget that puts $66 million toward roads, bridges, drainage, utilities and other improvements using revenue from the parish’s 2-cent sales tax, while the General Fund remains under strain, according to WWL-TV.

The parish has been dealing with an estimated $22 million budget shortfall, WWL-TV reported.

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The General Fund pays for the parish’s daily operations and state-required services, including parts of the criminal justice system. Parish leaders said current revenues are not enough to cover those costs.

Available funding for the District Attorney’s Office, the 22nd Judicial District courts and the parish correctional facility has been reduced by as much as 60% in the proposal, according to WWL-TV.

Cooper said the parish is working with criminal justice agencies on short- and long-term solutions, including the Keep St. Tammany Safe Initiative that voters will decide on Dec. 12.

The debate now turns to how St. Tammany can continue funding public safety, courts and other required services without creating an even larger financial problem in the years ahead.

The proposed operating and capital budgets now go to the St. Tammany Parish Council, which is expected to hold public meetings before adopting a final budget by the end of the year.

TRH News will continue following the 2027 budget process and what any proposed funding changes could mean for St. Tammany taxpayers.

Source: WWL-TV, Oct. 1, 2026.