Slidell Drainage District 4 Voters to Decide Flood Protection Fee Renewal in November

Proposal Would Maintain the Existing $253 Rate to Fund Levees, Drainage Pumps and Flood Protection Through 2032

SLIDELL, La. — Residents in several Slidell neighborhoods will vote November 3, 2026, on whether to renew a drainage maintenance fee that supports the levees, pumping equipment and water retention systems protecting their homes from flooding.

The proposition affects St. Tammany Parish Drainage District No. 4, which serves New Kingspoint, Fox Hollow, Pinehurst, Oak Plain and Springhill.

Voters are being asked to continue the existing maintenance and operations tax of $253 for each 10,000 square feet of land within the district. If approved, the renewed authorization would run from 2028 through 2032.

The measure would maintain the current rate rather than introduce an additional charge. According to the ballot proposition, the renewal is expected to generate approximately $300,017 annually.

How the Drainage Fee Supports Flood Protection

Drainage District No. 4 operates a localized flood protection system that includes approximately 5.5 miles of levees, a pumping station, three diesel-powered pumps and two retention ponds.

During heavy rainfall, water enters street drainage systems and travels through underground pipes to retention ponds. The district’s pumps then move that water into the W-14 Canal.

St. Tammany Parish is responsible for the drainage infrastructure that carries stormwater from streets to the ponds, while Drainage District No. 4 manages the pumping and retention systems.

The district also maintains levees intended to reduce the risk of tidal flooding from Lake Pontchartrain. Its system includes an automated floodgate near Fox Hollow.

Revenue from the parcel fee pays for pumping station operations, equipment maintenance, fuel, utilities, levee upkeep, insurance, staffing and other operating expenses.

District Reports Recent Maintenance and Pump Operations

Financial records reviewed by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor show that Drainage District No. 4 reported approximately $301,980 in maintenance and operations tax revenue during 2024.

More recent district records show that, through August 2026, the district reported $303,634 in year-to-date revenue and $225,663 in expenditures against a $300,000 operating budget.

At its September 2 board meeting, the district reported that all three pumping units operated without problems during a recent rainfall event that produced approximately five inches of rain. Maintenance work included repairs to one pump, oil filter replacements and levee mowing.

The district also reports completing a $156,630 retention pond cleaning project that removed vegetation and accumulated debris from drainage waterways. Officials say the work increased available water storage capacity and improved the system’s ability to manage rainfall.

What Happens if Voters Reject the Renewal?

The existing maintenance and operations tax is authorized through 2027.

A majority vote in favor of the proposition would continue the existing funding arrangement for another five years, beginning in 2028.

If voters reject the proposal, the district would not receive authorization to continue collecting the fee under the proposed 2028-2032 renewal. The district would then need to address the loss of that dedicated revenue or pursue another legally authorized funding option.

The ballot measure does not propose expanding Drainage District No. 4 or increasing its current fee rate.

Why This Matters in Slidell

Flood protection remains an important concern for Slidell homeowners, particularly in low-lying areas where heavy rainfall and high water levels can place pressure on local drainage systems.

For residents of New Kingspoint, Fox Hollow, Pinehurst, Oak Plain and Springhill, the upcoming vote directly concerns funding for the equipment and infrastructure used to move stormwater away from their neighborhoods.

The outcome will determine whether the district continues receiving its current dedicated maintenance funding for another five-year period.

The proposition applies only to eligible voters living within Drainage District No. 4, not to all Slidell residents.

When and Where to Vote

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026, with polls open from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Early voting runs October 20 through October 27, excluding Sunday, October 25. Early voting hours are 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Slidell residents may vote early at the Towers Building, 520 Old Spanish Trail, in the first-floor conference training area.

Voters should verify their Election Day polling place before traveling. The St. Tammany Parish Registrar of Voters reports that precincts 814 and 818 have new polling locations for 2026.

Residents can check their registration, polling location and sample ballot through the Louisiana Secretary of State’s voter portal.