The Saint Tammany Parish Council voted 9‑5 Dec. 4 to adopt the parish’s 2026 operating budget, moving ahead despite sustained public appeals to restore funding for mental‑health services and warnings from council members that steep cuts to public safety risked community safety.

Councilwoman Cheryl Tanner moved to place the ordinance on the floor and Councilman Larry Rolling seconded. After public comment from dozens of residents and service providers, the council held a prolonged discussion and then voted to adopt the budget. The chair announced the final tally as nine yays and five nays.

Advocates for the Safe Haven campus and NAMI Southeast Louisiana urged the council to preserve funding for day‑center services, peer support, housing and school outreach. “Mental health is the foundation to well‑being,” said Nicole Mayhew, a NAMI volunteer, describing services that helped her son. David Mancina, another NAMI leader, presented program statistics he said demonstrated community impact and cost‑effectiveness.

Opponents framed the vote around public‑safety tradeoffs. Councilman Arthur Laughlin said he could not support a budget that “cuts public safety by 30%,” citing planned reductions to the district attorney’s criminal division, the judiciary and jail funding. Council members who voted for adoption said the parish faces an immediate structural shortfall and that some reductions are needed while leaders work with taxing districts to find longer‑term solutions.

Council discussion touched on the parish’s use of dedicated millages, the loss of earlier public‑health millages and the complexity of legally redirecting dedicated funds. Several council members said they intend to pursue cooperative plans with other local taxing entities and explore targeted ballot measures for voter approval of future revenue changes.

The ordinance takes effect per the timeline established in the budget document and officials said they will return to council briefings and follow‑up meetings on employee compensation, jail services and the longer‑range plan for restoring mental‑health support without immediate tax increases.