[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6307581,"mediaKeyId","2431562-5b8955bdbb22b47e4b8c0d581c42763a","parentId",2431562,"title","Committee discusses possible inspector general, ethics board and limits tied to parish funds","audioSeconds",4754,"startMs",1866000,"endMs",6620000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2431562-5b8955bdbb22b47e4b8c0d581c42763a&start=1866&end=6620","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2431562-5b8955bdbb22b47e4b8c0d581c42763a/thumbnail_1866000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6307581/Louisiana/Committee-discusses-possible-inspector-general-ethics-board-and-limits-tied-to-parish-funds","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307581-ca794b89495e526b7cce8d87c4b71fe7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140581&Signature=LLy3jPArOd1HgoDQg8QBgZFIJBaytpid72WrQfgZzwu7DlgSTzeFviUS21IZePi3H1miXFfO4q0zA~uPc8rwlQaySC-LYgHynglWQ~TtgcU4jSfCUaoSVte5jhU1VGzihJ7KM6nKO~B74Um-5iuB8Ooko5brtIzKpRda3dYgPuGd9IoSHQHPe8uMm-NuoFRgzVmnQE9M6jB13Fh6i4rseQK~DtXZmwAYdTwng-eVQbgQwhAwMDp9ymxf0J~E47pZ9QXCHWpw3lJzURL8URXBzMB935oa5CQ3InoJetzEGNAhUwM9TRVNUiJ-kuXJL5t-89ONDPBe6gskCmTlktrmMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","STPGtv","date","2025-02-13T00:00:00Z","article","Committee members discussed adding a charter-based ethics review board and an Office of Inspector General, and whether an OIG's authority should be limited to programs funded by the parish or extended by state law.

David Marcello described how New Orleans' 1995 revisions included provisions for an ethics review board and an Office of Inspector General, though he said the council initially narrowed the provisions and the substantive work of setting up the agencies took many years. \"We created authority for an ethics review board and an office of inspector general,\" Marcello said in his presentation; he also described delays between charter language and implementation at the council level.

Committee members and staff asked whether an OIG could examine entities that receive parish funds, including the sheriff's office, the district attorney's office or mosquito abatement; legal counsel suggested the IG's reach would follow parish funds unless state law extended the office's jurisdiction. One member summarized: \"If we're successful in getting the state legislature to do this, this law ... will provide that an OIG can follow tax dollars generated within St. Tammany Parish to their destination.\"

Public comment from resident Kristen Luxinger focused on transparency and voter education: she urged committee members to present easily understood explanations of any proposals and the funding consequences, noting that voters historically have approved many dedicated taxes because the ballot described precise spending plans.

Members asked staff to return with legal research on whether a parish charter-based OIG could be written with authority to follow parish tax dollars to entities that receive the funds, and on budget implications for creating and operating an IG and an ethics board.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","St. Tammany Parish Home Rule Charter Committee February 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Members explored adding an inspector general and ethics review board to the charter, discussed scope tied to parish funding, and asked staff to seek legal clarity and state partnership options to broaden IG authority.","taxTitle","St. Tammany Parish Public Administrator, Boards & Commissions, Organizations, Executive, Louisiana","taxId",25594,"location","Louisiana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6307586,"Advisory committee opens education on government forms, redistricting and potential consultant support",1034,2809000,3843000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2431562-5b8955bdbb22b47e4b8c0d581c42763a&start=2809&end=3843","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2431562-5b8955bdbb22b47e4b8c0d581c42763a/thumbnail_2809000.jpg","/articles/6307586/Louisiana/Advisory-committee-opens-education-on-government-forms-redistricting-and-potential-consultant-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307586-c2a38762f04ce7c381b25b4f9ee4934b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140581&Signature=bD0fc9hn9y7x3bvbbtE5CNyke5Yj4anYfc~y0THoW5zzhV9VgwzUW2fFOwPB-gbBB4R5Vma4o1ZfqoheTazSYo~Kj2fFn4IZN-ZKBx~WIKCgLgofT0xMWuJ2j11AhRgQJMmlzOnlmyyHKYzvNuR0b9LNwNIuDnM9dFtDzpZ9iOBuQnMgbjmtI~DpIM-EBSPzU2bWTGZY3LOb4mztlTHTUx-7~gJ-P2ql7UYEtxwuSo52dQsZYzslIoxbSfSFaILYyZ9-RrxPm-sKyKSSq-bvdmzotdLDMrsvSNEJ4a1Go7EXdCc~vCJ70tFMvAzQmRZlZupeJ5-hpJm4-mrDhENizQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Home Rule Charter Advisory Committee opened a sustained discussion about whether to recommend changes to St. Tammany Parish's form of government and how any change to council size would be implemented and paid for.

Committee members repeatedly raised redistricting as a practical hurdle if the council's authorized membership were reduced. \"Would that have to align with that census because of redistricting also or?\" asked a committee member. Carrie Menard, the committee's legal advisor, replied that an amendment need not align with the decennial census but that timing the change to redistricting could make implementation easier.

Members asked who would redraw district boundaries and whether that work requires outside mapmakers or judicial involvement; the committee directed staff to research which bodies have legal authority and the timing such a change would require. \"If we shrink the council ... who would be responsible for making the reallocation of the districts and what third party government bodies, if any, have to be a part of that?\" one member asked; Menard said she would research that question.

Several committee members urged an educational first step. Mary (staff) told the group she had contacted the Police Jury Association and that Debbie Hinton could present at the panel's next meeting to overview different forms of parish government. Members also proposed inviting officials from parishes that recently revised their charters, including Jefferson Parish and the town of St. George, to describe obstacles and lessons learned.

The panel debated whether to hire outside consultants to assist with drafting, mapping and legal review. \"This is going to get a little complicated. We're actually going to have to write text where we change it,\" one committee member said, recommending bond counsel for specialized ballot drafting. Another member urged caution on initial contracting, noting limited parish resources.

Concerns about representational equity and cost emerged repeatedly. Committee member Cheryl warned that reductions in council size could dilute rural representation and drive up per-member staffing costs. \"If you downsize, you're gonna go by population. That means that the rural area is going to lose their representation,\" she said. Other members asked for hard financial comparisons showing the fiscal impact of fewer, possibly full-time, council members.

The committee set an educational agenda for the next meeting: an evening session with invited speakers on government forms and redistricting logistics before any substantive drafting or consultant procurement.","Members debated whether to study alternate forms of government and the practical implications of changing council size, including who redraws district lines, public engagement, and whether to hire consultants for drafting and mapping.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6307590,"Advisory committee hears legal outline on charter amendments; Tulane expert urges phased outreach",1025,190000,1215000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2431562-5b8955bdbb22b47e4b8c0d581c42763a&start=190&end=1215","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2431562-5b8955bdbb22b47e4b8c0d581c42763a/thumbnail_190000.jpg","/articles/6307590/Louisiana/Advisory-committee-hears-legal-outline-on-charter-amendments-Tulane-expert-urges-phased-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6307590-444d179fa1a72107c91d158f8d67dfac/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140581&Signature=nCn0yK3CUNhUyjYNTCLITCGcN4708TVXhRZGGL1rKIofE2x9WpIP5nQQegTkLVA3Ga3odc9qMgsOizZo2rGAy0fzavaZ-KBBOrkdxO9Wzkn9nF-lL9GC1fTCvetQ3ba8BGv9a6F0zvMdhPfymQJsBF~UIRchx3Beqt4znrkmkT~a-mTQjVycdDaTWchAa5--mwbC6CVgdW8fUsku9yY-o~TrT-to8RFPiRMsqUD8gL5iiUdyHlwqg79wPGoHItbagXEwQnFG0cafedY~qQBQlL9xSvQjwKUXGxUsWgs5sppwS2uDXv6sZtaRXJHCGXBG5kfbqC7LYhpi9VGmaAUSFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Carrie Menard, legal counsel to the Home Rule Charter Advisory Committee, told the panel that authority to change the parish charter rests with the Louisiana Constitution, the Louisiana Revised Statutes and the parish's Home Rule Charter and that any proposed amendment ultimately must be approved by a majority of voters.

\"The authority to amend the Charter comes from the Constitution, from the Louisiana revised statutes, and as well as the Home Road Charter itself,\" Menard said, and she summarized procedural requirements including publication and minimum waiting periods before a vote.

The committee then heard from David Marcello of the Public Law Center at Tulane Law School, who described New Orleans' multi-year charter-revision effort and framed a four-phase approach: advisory committee work, review by elected officials, a public information campaign and implementation. Marcello said the city's 1995 package passed by a roughly 68-32 margin after a sustained public outreach effort.

\"We had a 68 to 32 favorable 2 to 1 majority,\" Marcello said, describing the outcome in New Orleans. He emphasized that timing and scope affect voter response: initiatives placed late in an official's term or presented as many separate propositions can depress voter support.

Menard provided specific timing rules the committee will need to follow if the council places amendments before voters: publication of proposed amendments in the official journal within 30 days of petition certification or council action and at least a 30-day delay before an election. She also noted procedural limits: an amendment cannot shorten an incumbent's term or reduce an elected official's salary, and a charter topic that fails or is adopted cannot be reintroduced for two years.

Committee members asked practical questions about how changes would be implemented if the charter altered council size or districting. Menard said implementation timing can be specified in the amendment text and need not align with the decennial census, though redistricting timed to new census data \"sure would make it easier.\" Several members urged that the committee research who would redraw district boundaries and what legal authorities or outside bodies would need to be engaged.

Marcello advised planning for time and public education. He described New Orleans' experience of appointing subcommittees, staging public forums, and preparing a one-page highlights summary to aid media coverage and voter understanding.

The committee did not vote on any charter language at the meeting; members directed staff to arrange further informational presentations and to research redistricting and implementation issues for potential future amendments.","Legal counsel outlined the parish charter amendment steps and timelines, and David Marcello of Tulane Law School described New Orleans' multi-phase charter revision experience and cautioned on timing, scope and public outreach.","actionData","errors"]

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Committee discusses possible inspector general, ethics board and limits tied to parish funds

Advisory committee opens education on government forms, redistricting and potential consultant support

Advisory committee hears legal outline on charter amendments; Tulane expert urges phased outreach