LIVINGSTON — Officials in Livingston Parish are scrambling to determine how to continue providing essential, and in some cases state-mandated, services after Livingston Parish voters rejected a property tax renewal on November 5.
Had the tax renewal passed, it would have funded the parish health unit and environmental services for the next 10 years. The 2.5-mill property tax, initially proposed for renewal in 2023, was reduced to 2.0 mills for this year’s ballot, but still failed to gain voter approval.
Both Livingston Parish President Randy Delatte and Parish Councilman Ricky Goff were vocal about supporting the millage and worked to inform residents about its purpose.
“We heard the people loud and clear,” Delatte said. “We had this on a ballot twice, and (voters) feel like it’s not necessary. So, we’ll make things work. The people always know best, and we’re here to serve them.”
Goff said that the millage had generated a surplus of $8.7 million over the years, more than enough to handle emergencies such as hurricanes or the COVID-19 pandemic. This surplus was one of the reasons Goff advocated for reducing the millage.
The parish health unit, partially funded by the rejected tax, provides vaccinations, cancer screenings, children’s health programs, mental health support for new mothers, and Medicaid assistance. While some services receive federal and state funding, the parish is responsible for covering all facility costs and utilities.
The tax also funded inspections for restaurants, bars, and grocery stores, as well as public health facility monitoring for nursing homes, schools, daycare centers, and sewer systems. It also handled death certificates for the parish and helped fund the management of the parish’s various water systems and oversight of the Mo-Dad systems used for wastewater management.
Goff anticipates the parish will have enough funds to continue those services through 2029, using money already in reserve.
“We will start depleting down the surplus over the next three to four years, roughly, as long as we don’t have any (major disasters) that causes us to spend more money through the health unit,” Goff said.
After that period, if no new funding plan is approved by voters, parish leaders will need to assess options for future funding. Goff has reached out to state officials to understand potential mandates that could impact the parish if the health unit loses local funding.
“But if that parish health unit goes away, and this is a state requirement, what will our people have to do?” he questioned.
He plans to brief the parish president and council once he receives answers from the state, ensuring they have the necessary information before funds run out.
“I’m going to look into what the long-term ramifications of not having a funded health unit within our parish looks like when we run out of money,” Goff added. “Will our people have to travel to Baton Rouge to get some of these permits because they’re required to have them?”
For now, Goff said services will continue as usual. Delatte confirmed that no service cuts or staffing reductions are planned for the health unit or environmental services at this time. However, as the surplus diminishes, Goff warned that the parish will face significant decisions regarding the future of these services.
In contrast, Livingston Parish voters approved the rededication of excess sales tax funds for road improvements, drainage projects, and animal control programs.
The sales tax generates about $7 million annually, with $3.5 million allocated for jail operations. The remaining $4 million will fund necessary jail expansions, street improvements, and drainage projects.
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