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.
Commercial variance for Arabi restaurant
Opelousas Chicken and Seafood sought to sidestep landscaping, parking count, parking-lot design, and dumpster-storage rules at 7606 W. Judge Perez in Arabi. Neighbors may care about how the site looks and how traffic and trash are handled on the corridor.
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.
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.
Fire Department Personnel Plan budget requirement
A proposed ordinance would require the Fire Department's Personnel Plan to appear in every budget at introduction and adoption, boosting transparency on fire staffing costs.
Clerical Assistant to the Clerk of Council
A new part-time position is proposed to help the Clerk of Council with special projects, legislative research and record-keeping support.
Homestead exemption for essential emergency personnel
Essential Public Works emergency responders living in the parish were slated to be recognized as qualified First Responders, asking the Assessor to grant them an additional homestead exemption.
LSU cooperative extension agreement
A five-year agreement with the LSU Agricultural Center was scheduled to keep the cooperative extension program running in St. Bernard through June 2031.
Pickleball courts ordinance remains tabled
The plan to build public pickleball courts next to the parish library stayed on hold pending a Legislative Auditor opinion, as it has since October 20.
Parish employee pay scale and retirement leave changes
An amendment is proposed to the ordinance that sets the Clerk of Council's pay by formula under the parish Home Rule Charter.
Release of reversion rights on seven residential parcels
The parish was scheduled to release its rights of reversion on seven properties it sold to R & A Roth Properties in 2021, clearing the buyers' title.
Residential paving variance in Meraux
Scott Moity asked to exceed the 40% cap on paving in his required yard at 2209 Fable Street — typically about expanded driveways or parking pads. More paving can mean more stormwater runoff for the block.