St. Bernard Parish · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
2027 Parish Operating and Capital Budget
The committee is set to begin discussing the ordinance that adopts next year's budget. It determines funding for roads, drainage, public safety and parish services in 2027.
Special election to fill Sheriff vacancy
With Sheriff James Pohlmann retiring after 43 years, the council was scheduled to call a special election for April 17, 2027 to fill the rest of his term through June 30, 2028.
NOEL grant for elderly/disabled home repairs
NOEL is seeking roughly $2 million in HUD grants to pay for home repairs, code fixes, and accessibility upgrades for elderly and disabled St. Bernard residents so they can age in place. The parish's only role is referring residents; the grant pays all contractors and administrators.
Major road and utility capital projects
Capital projects are moving: water lines nearly wrapped, sewer work at River Bend, the 40 Arpent trail bridge in DOTD review, and the long-awaited Jean Lafitte and Jackson total reconstructions — which residents should brace for as major utility-and-road digs.
Hammond vehicle operations facility at 3611 Pakenham Drive
A Chalmette property would shift from medium-density multifamily to general commercial for van storage and operations. A neighbor objects that concrete pouring without engineered stormwater retention could raise flood heights on her property and lower nearby home values.
Coastal strategy document update and $250,000 grant
The parish is updating its coastal project playbook with a $250,000 federal grant — adding roughly 60 projects and new funding sources like oil and gas lawsuit money and the fully funded Myslingo restoration plan. The plan has helped land about $1.3 billion in projects since 2016. Public comment comes next month; final council vote by year's end.
Atlantic Richfield oil spill litigation
The parish's decade-old oil spill lawsuit against Atlantic Richfield and other companies was discussed in closed session with legal counsel. Any strategy, settlement posture or valuation stays confidential for now.
Hurricane season preparedness
The Southeast Flood Protection Authority – East briefed the council on readiness for the upcoming hurricane season, a key concern in a parish defined by its levees and flood defenses.