At its May 2 regular meeting, the St. Tammany Parish Council voted to place President Mike Cooper’s proposed initiative to restructure Sales Tax District #3 revenue on the November 5 Presidential Election ballot.
Approval of the proposition would extend the sales tax which currently funds infrastructure improvements by 25 years, allowing St. Tammany Parish Government to bond out vital traffic and drainage projects. In addition, with the re-dedication, up to 17% of the annual revenue can be used to fund public safety agencies.
President Cooper said if approved in November, new large traffic and drainage projects could be bonded out and a small portion of the tax could be used to keep our families safe by funding the agencies that protect us. After public discussion, the Parish Council voted unanimously to place the item on the ballot.
Council Chairman Arthur Laughlin said while steps have been taken to allow infrastructure to catch up, funding for public safety agencies continues to impede parish finances, just as it has for the last decade.
President Cooper added that having sustainable funding for all agencies is one of the greatest concerns facing St. Tammany Parish, and it will take a united front of all elected officials, community leaders and citizens to help protect our safety and quality of life for the next generation.
