DA Warren Montgomery has taken the first steps toward getting his own criminal justice tax on the ballot.
The DA indicated he would make this move after St. Tammany voters rejected another sales tax to fund local criminal justice.
If Montgomery gets his way the 1/7th-cent sales tax proposition will be on the April 30th ballot.
If approved, the tax would generate an estimated $7.9 million annually to cover the cost of criminal prosecution in St. Tammany. In 2020, the criminal side of the office had a $10.6 million budget.
The 22nd Judicial District also covers Washington Parish. But Washington Parish already levies a sales tax, part of which is used to pay the DA’s costs there.
State law allows district attorneys to create judicial enforcement districts or sub-districts to levy taxes.
Montgomery did this in December.
This week the sub-district, which covers St. Tammany Parish, approved seeking a 10-year, 1/7th-cent sales tax for services and prosecution of crime.
