Narrow Approval for Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Tax Renewal

News Summary

Orleans Parish voters have approved the renewal of a crucial property tax for Sheriff Susan Hutson’s office by a narrow margin following a recount. This tax, crucial for financing 20% of the Orleans Parish jail’s budget, faced opposition but ultimately passed with just four votes difference. The tax is expected to generate approximately $13.1 million yearly. Despite controversies surrounding Hutson’s management, the approval signifies a temporary financial stabilizing effect for the sheriff’s office as it addresses community trust issues.

New Orleans – Orleans Parish voters narrowly approved the renewal of Sheriff Susan Hutson’s property tax on April 8, 2025. The initial tally showed the measure passing by a mere two votes, with 12,715 votes in favor and 12,713 against. However, a subsequent official recount determined the final margin of approval to be just four votes, adjusting the numbers to 12,715 “yes” votes and 12,711 “no” votes.

This renewal pertains to a millage that has been in place for a decade and is vital for financing approximately 20% of the Orleans Parish jail’s operational budget. The tax is estimated to generate around $13.1 million annually for the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, which has faced scrutiny over its spending practices during Hutson’s term.

Detailed Election Results

The determination of the official vote count followed a recount requested by local resident Danilo August Feliciano. This recount revealed that an error had occurred in the counting process, specifically the double counting of two “no” votes in the initial tally. Secretary of State Nancy Landry confirmed there were no late ballots contributing to the final count, as all mail-in ballots were required to be submitted before the closing of polls.

The election faced a backdrop of confusion, with early voting indicating a 51% opposition to the measure. Opposition dynamics shifted on election day, resulting in a more favorable outcome for the renewal. The overall voter turnout for the election was slightly below 10%, suggesting limited public engagement in this crucial matter.

Context of the Renewal

The tax renewal is particularly significant given the narrowly achieved approval margin, marking it as one of the closest elections in the history of Orleans Parish. Sheriff Hutson has had a turbulent first term, including a substantial defeat of a separate millage proposal in 2023, which received only 9% support.

The renewal received backing from the independent Bureau of Governmental Research and some of Hutson’s political opponents, indicating a degree of bipartisan support for the necessity of the funding. However, the campaign leading up to the election was marred by misinformation, including misleading signs proclaiming “No New Taxes,” which aimed to sway public opinion against the tax renewal. In response, Hutson implemented a counter-campaign promoting signs clarifying that the measure was not a new tax, along with efforts to conduct interviews aimed at dispelling the confusion surrounding the vote.

Implications of the Vote

The passage of the tax renewal has immediate financial implications for the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, which relies heavily on this funding for its operations. As the sheriff’s office navigates ongoing challenges regarding public trust and fiscal management, the approval of this renewal provides a temporary stabilizing effect for its budget, ensuring continued functionality in the short term.

Moving forward, Sheriff Hutson will need to address the criticisms surrounding her management of public funds and work to rebuild trust with the community that narrowly supported this renewal. The focus will likely remain on transparency and effective allocation of the tax revenues as the sheriff’s office moves to implement strategies that enhance public safety while also addressing any concerns from voters regarding financial oversight and operational integrity.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Louisiana Municipal Elections Yields Significant Outcomes
Rising Property Taxes Loom in Lafayette Parish
Caddo Parish Rises as Louisiana’s Small Business Hub

Additional Resources

• NOLA: Orleans Parish Sheriff Tax Renewal
• Wikipedia: Orleans Parish
• FOX 8 Live: Recount of Orleans Sheriff’s Office Millage Vote
• Google Search: Orleans Parish Sheriff
• WWL TV: Orleans Parish Sheriff Tax Renewal Election Results
• Google Scholar: Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson
• NOLA: Recount of Sheriff Millage in New Orleans
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Sheriff
• WDSU: Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson’s Controversial Year
• Google News: Orleans Parish Election 2025