MESSAGE FROM THE PARISH PRESIDENT, DECEMBER 2, 2021
Thursday, December 2, 2021
The regular monthly meeting of the St. Tammany Parish Council will be held this evening at 6:30pm at which time the 2022 Operating and Capital Budgets will be discussed and adopted. I wish to thank Chief Financial Officer Leslie Long, my Executive Team, Department Directors, and Staff for their expertise and patience in preparing this document which will serve us as a revenue and spending guide for the upcoming fiscal year. If you would like to review the 2022 Budgets, please click here.
I maintain my commitment to providing a streamlined and responsive government, placing sensible controls on unbridled development, and using our public monies wisely and efficiently on priorities which address our basic and most pressing needs. We remain vigilant as we address the challenges of COVID-19 and the Delta Variant and the recovery efforts following Hurricane Ida’s destructive impact on August 29.
The submitted Budget document reflects projected revenue from dedicated sources – Sales Tax District No. 3, Ad Valorem, Licenses, and Fees and is used to fund Parish Government offices, functions, services, and capital improvement projects.
St. Tammany Parish Government is obligated or mandated by state law to fund certain offices and agencies which contribute greatly to supporting our Criminal Justice System. At this time, we do not have dedicated funding to meet our full obligations to the District Attorney, Sheriff, 22nd JDC, and other offices. Based upon the revenue available in our General Fund for 2022, this Budget will support only a small percentage of their total needs. We will continue to search for short-term and long-term funding solutions.
My other priorities for 2022 include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Improvements to local streets and roadways
- Projects to improve local and regional drainage and detention
- Repairs to and replacement of local bridges
- Projects to enhance shoreline protection and coastal restoration
- Planning initiatives for traffic and transportation improvements
- Expansion of services and improvements at our Safe Haven Behavioral Health Campus
- Growth and improvements to our water and wastewater utility systems
- Enhancements to parks and recreational facilities and assets
- Maintenance and improvements to our public buildings and facilities
Your continued support during these challenging times is appreciated and will allow us to serve our citizens at the highest level.
Thank you and stay safe!
Regards,
Michael B. Cooper
Parish President