Sheriff's office outlines costs, staffing supported by proposed 10‑year millage renewal

A representative of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office briefed the council on June 4 about the office’s planned 10‑year millage renewal on the June ballot. The presenter said the renewal would be at 4.31 mills (the office’s current maximum is 4.66) and that the levy supports approximately 142 law‑enforcement positions and numerous operating costs.

During a presentation that included equipment‑level examples, the presenter listed common per‑unit equipment costs (for example, certain radios at $7,200 and other issued equipment) and warned of sizable licensing and training expenses (the presenter cited an annual $850,000 licensing cost tied to body‑camera systems). The sheriff’s representative also said their office will transfer about $9.3 million from the general fund in the parish’s FY27 budget to cover a jail budget shortage if reserves or the millage are not available.

Council members asked clarifying questions about how the millage interacts with other revenue sources; staff confirmed that much drainage and other project funding also relies on sales tax and grants. The sheriff’s representative emphasized operational impacts of staffing losses, dispatch training timelines and the importance of maintaining reserves for continuity of services.

Council did not take a final vote on the millage renewal at the June 4 meeting; the presenter and the council encouraged the public to review posted budget documents and attend the scheduled hearings prior to the ballot.