Parish council keeps drainage millage at 1.56 mils after public outcry

The St. Tammany Parish Council voted 11–2, with one member absent, on July 10 to reject an ordinance that would have reduced the drainage millage from 1.56 mils to 1.46 mils, keeping the rate at 1.56.

Supporters of maintaining the current rate urged the council not to reduce funding for drainage projects. “The parish needs the drainage money and we’ve heard for a year now that the parish needs drainage money,” said Jamie Segura, a resident who spoke at the public hearing. Several speakers and developers said drainage projects and “shovel‑ready” work — dredging, culvert resets and related non‑capital work — rely on those funds.

The vote followed a public hearing that drew residents from neighborhoods the council identified as at risk for flooding. Terry Louis Stevens, a Covington resident, told the council voters had already approved the drainage millage and urged officials to keep the dedicated funding in place. “If the citizens vote for a millage, then keep the millage,” Stevens said. Cecil Hudson, a local builder, told the council the millage pays for both capital and non‑capital work that improves drainage.

Council members debated whether last year’s higher property tax collections meant the parish had excess revenue to allow a rollback. Administration staff said collections above budget were not large enough to change the council’s approach. Several council members argued for keeping taxes steady; one councilmember said the parish had collected “more money than we expected” but that it was not “significant.”

Council President Michael B. Cooper and administration representatives said drainage funding supports ongoing projects, including dredging and marsh‑buggy work. The council ultimately rejected the rollback: the motion to lower the millage failed 2–11 with one absence; as a result the millage remains 1.56 mils.

The council had previously asked staff to continue stakeholder meetings and consult a pending housing study before making broader zoning or funding changes that affect infrastructure. The council also noted it will continue to monitor revenue and project needs in future budget cycles.

The decision preserves the voter‑approved, dedicated drainage funding for the parish’s current projects and maintenance plan.