Northshore Business Council backs St. Tammany law enforcement millage renewal

The Northshore Business Council has endorsed the June 27 ballot measure to renew St. Tammany Parish’s dedicated law enforcement millage at a lower rate, saying public safety supports jobs, investment and quality of life. Early voting runs June 13-20 ahead of Election Day on June 27. Why it matters: - The ballot measure would keep a dedicated funding stream for deputies’ salaries and benefits at the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. - Supporters say the renewal helps sustain public safety services that matter to residents, employers and prospective workers. - The vote comes as local elections often draw lower turnout, which can shape outcomes for services that affect daily life. What happened: - The Northshore Business Council said it supports renewal of the dedicated law enforcement millage on the June 27 ballot in St. Tammany Parish. - The proposal would renew an existing property tax at 4.31 mills. - The renewal is not a new tax. - NBC’s executive board voted to publicly back the measure. - Early voting runs June 13-20. - Election Day is Saturday, June 27. The details: - The millage is specifically allocated to deputies’ salaries and benefits. - The dedicated tax currently makes up about 13.29% of the Sheriff’s Office operating budget. - The Sheriff’s Office says its deputies serve more than 280,000 parish residents. - Deputies responded to 238,408 calls for service in 2025. - The Sheriff’s Office reports a violent crime solve rate of 95%, compared with a reported national average of 44%. - Sheriff’s Office officials said the renewal is intended to help retain trained and experienced deputies while meeting public safety needs in a growing parish. - NBC said the renewal supports economic growth, business investment and quality of life across the parish. Between the lines: - NBC is framing the tax vote as an economic development issue, not just a law enforcement funding question. - The organization’s message links public safety with workforce attraction and business retention. - The push for turnout suggests supporters see the measure as one that could hinge on voter awareness more than partisan politics. What’s next: - Voters can review information from the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office and the St. Tammany Parish Registrar of Voters before casting ballots. - The result on June 27 will determine whether the dedicated millage continues at the lower 4.31-mill rate. - NBC is encouraging residents to learn the facts and vote in the local election. The bottom line: - NBC’s endorsement puts a business-community stamp on a public safety funding vote that could help shape parish services, staffing and economic confidence.