St. Charles Parish Council Final Budget Hearing for FY2027 - October 22, 2026

The St. Charles Parish Council held the second of three public hearings on Ordinance 2026-0173, which adopts the FY2027 Consolidated Operating and Capital Budget. The hearing took place on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 1:00 PM in the Council Chambers. Department heads and agency representatives presented their proposed budgets, and the council considered multiple amendments to the 2026 and 2027 budgets. No public comments were offered. The final public hearing and adoption are scheduled for Monday, October 26, 2026, at 6:00 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during the public hearing portion of the meeting.

Discussion Items

• District Attorney’s Office: Representative Joel Shassall presented a budget with minimal changes from the prior year; no questions were raised.
• Registrar of Voters: Brian Champagne noted a $1,900 increase in postage (from $8,000 to $10,000) due to a supplemental voter canvass by the state. He also updated that the state is still reviewing voting machine vendors, with a decision expected by year-end; local costs for new machines would be billed to the parish.
• Sheriff’s Office: Sheriff Greg Champagne reported that the per-diem inmate contract rate ($30/day) remains unchanged but may need an increase next fall. Crime and inmate numbers have dropped significantly—50% fewer than 10–15 years ago. The FY2027 budget proposal is $1.168 million for inmate per diem, down from the FY2026 projection of $1.3 million; actual FY2026 spending may be just over $1 million.
• Coroner’s Office: Barry Minick presented a stable budget with salary adjustments. Councilmember O’Daniels asked about a $25,000 line item for food and clothing; Minick explained it was for hazmat suits and protective gear for investigators.
• LSU Ag Center: Tracy Adams requested a standstill budget and thanked the council for support.
• Council District 2 Amendment: Councilmember Skiba moved to reduce the 2026 District 2 budget by $39,000 across various line items (e.g., printing, postage, travel) and to add $10,000 to the Fortified Roof Program and $29,000 to tutoring services at community service centers. The motion passed unanimously.
• Agency Presentations:
  • Ark of St. Charles: Noted cost increases for gas and insurance; progress on new property construction is delayed by elevation and tax issues.
  • Library: Leanne Benedict presented a budget reflecting the ongoing Hahnville construction project; insurance costs for retirees increased due to recent retirements.
  • Council on Aging: April Keller introduced new finance manager Destiny Brown; the only change is adding a canopy to the building.
  • St. Charles Housing Authority: Jedi Jackson reported that HUD has accepted the budget; it is fiscally prudent and based on past trends.
  • St. Charles Community Health Center: Chia Hurton stated that millage revenue supports clinics in Luling and Norco, which serve about 30,000 encounters and 8,500 unique patients annually (56% parish residents).
  • 911 Communications: Director Zinner reported a healthy fund balance (~$5.5M) but plans to spend about $2 million on a new cloud-based ESInet system (AT&T) for call-taking, video, and photo reception. Text-to-911 is now operational.
  • St. Charles Parish Hospital: Brianna Sparnak presented the adopted FY2026 budget; the FY2027 budget will be considered by the hospital board on December 2.
• Council District 1 Amendment: Councilmember Wilson moved to reduce the 2026 District 1 budget by $27,000 and reallocate $9,000 each to health and safety rehabilitation, emergency food assistance, and tutoring at the Colonna Community Center. The motion passed unanimously.
• Drainage Project Amendment: Councilmember Wilson also moved to transfer $75,000 from the general fund to the drainage fund for the Bamboo Street/LaPlace drainage improvements project. Councilmember Fisher clarified that the funds came from a $100,000 reduction in Economic Development professional services approved previously. The motion passed unanimously.
• Grant Amendment: Finance Director Grant Dussom moved to increase FY2027 Fund 112 revenues and expenditures by $137,200 for a hazard mitigation grant for the Ormond Oaks Channel Improvement Project. The motion passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• All amendments (Districts 2 and 1, drainage transfer, hazard mitigation grant) were approved unanimously by the council members present (Councilmember Comardelle was absent for one vote; Councilmember Fonseca absent for several; Councilmember Skiba absent for earlier votes but present for her own amendment).
• The FY2027 budget ordinance (2026-0173) was advanced to final public hearing and adoption on Monday, October 26, 2026, at 6:00 PM.
• No further council discussion or public comment was received; the meeting was adjourned.