Baton Rouge · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Baton Rouge public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
2027 City-Parish Budget
The Mayor-President's 2027 operating and capital budgets for Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish will be formally presented. This sets spending priorities for everything from roads and drainage to public safety for next year, with final adoption expected December 8.
2027 City-parish Employee Health Insurance Rates
The self-funded health plan is running $6.5-8 million over budget in 2026, forcing premium increases for employees and retirees. The council ultimately approved smaller increases (15% instead of 20-30%) after union pushback, shifting about $700,000 in cost back onto the city-parish budget.
City-Parish deconsolidation study
Councilman Dunn wants a formal financial report on whether Baton Rouge could survive as its own city separate from the parish — including whether the city has the tax base to cover its own bills. The report also must weigh long-term sustainability for both governments.
Library millage renewal canvass
The 9.5-mill property tax that funds the East Baton Rouge Parish Library system for the next ten years (2026–2035) was formally introduced. It's a renewal of existing library funding, not a new tax. Hearing September 23.
Home Rule Charter Commission on consolidation
Councilman Hurst's proposal would seat a commission to study whether the consolidated city-parish government is actually working for residents. It's just introduced — a public hearing comes September 23.
Sales tax refunds to Walgreen and Cardinal Health
The parish wrongly collected about $567,000 in sales tax from two companies — $291,398.69 from Walgreen Louisiana on prescription drug purchases and $275,672.77 from Cardinal Health on exempt resale sales. Both refunds were introduced for a September 9 hearing.
Litigation settlements and claims
Settlements were introduced in three matters: $25,450.28 in the Monica Hollins lawsuit against the city and a police officer, $35,000 for a pre-litigation claim by Justin Thornton from an auto accident involving a Baton Rouge police officer, and $21,207.65 to Patty Merrick for a sewer back-up. All are set for a September 9 hearing.
December 12 fire and police tax elections
Voters in the Pride (15 mills) and Chaneyville (10 mills) fire districts and St. George Fire District No. 2 (6 mills) will be asked to renew property taxes for ten more years, and city voters will consider renewing the 0.87-mill tax that funds the police department's three-platoon system.