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 presented a proposed 2027 budget that includes continued spending on infrastructure while parish officials grapple with a projected General Fund shortfall.

Parish documents estimate the shortfall at approximately $16 million in 2027, with the gap expected to grow to approximately $22 million in 2028.

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A major part of the problem involves expenses the parish is required to help fund without dedicated revenue sources.

Those obligations include funding connected to the St. Tammany Parish Jail, 22nd Judicial District Court, District Attorney’s Office, Coroner’s Office, Registrar of Voters and other agencies and government functions.

Parish leaders have been discussing possible new revenue sources to address the growing gap, including sales taxes, property taxes and franchise fees.

The financial problem has been building for years, with officials previously reducing spending, tapping available fund balances and delaying some projects and maintenance to balance earlier budgets.

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 Parish Council will ultimately consider the proposed budget before it is adopted.

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