Slidell Drainage District 4 Fee Renewal: What Voters Should Know Before November Election

Proposed $253 Parcel Fee Renewal Would Maintain Flood Protection Funding for Five Slidell Neighborhoods Through 2032

SLIDELL, La. — Voters in several Slidell neighborhoods will decide November 3, 2026, whether to renew an existing drainage maintenance fee that helps finance the levees, pumping station and retention ponds protecting their communities from flooding.

The proposed Slidell Drainage District 4 fee renewal would preserve the current rate of $253 per 10,000 square feet of land for another five-year period, beginning in 2028 and ending in 2032. The proposition is expected to generate approximately $300,017 annually to support drainage operations, equipment repairs, levee maintenance and other flood protection expenses.

Residents of New Kingspoint, Fox Hollow, Pinehurst, Oak Plain and Springhill are among those directly affected by the district’s flood control operations. The November election will determine whether property owners continue providing dedicated financial support for infrastructure designed to manage rainfall and reduce tidal flooding risks.

Here are seven important details about the proposed renewal, how the drainage system operates and what the election means for local property owners.

The $253 Drainage Fee Is a Renewal, Not a New Tax

The November 3 ballot asks voters to extend an established maintenance and operations tax rather than approve an additional fee. Drainage District No. 4 currently assesses landowners at a rate of $253 for each 10,000 square feet of land within its boundaries.

Property owners should understand that $253 represents the stated rate for a specified amount of land, not necessarily the entire annual charge for every parcel. The assessment depends on the size of the property and the applicable rules governing the district’s tax. Homeowners can review the charge on their St. Tammany Parish property tax bills, where the district identifies it under the Additional Charges section.

The proposed authorization would cover 2028 through 2032, continuing the existing arrangement for five additional years. The ballot language does not seek a higher rate, making the decision primarily about retaining the current funding mechanism for drainage services.

Five Slidell Neighborhoods Depend on the District’s Flood Protection System

Drainage District No. 4 serves New Kingspoint, Fox Hollow, Pinehurst, Oak Plain and Springhill, where flood protection depends on a combination of neighborhood drainage facilities, retention ponds, pumping equipment and surrounding levees.

The district maintains approximately 5.5 miles of levees intended to limit tidal water entering protected areas from Lake Pontchartrain. Its flood defense infrastructure also includes an automated floodgate near the Fox Hollow entrance, where the roadway sits below the surrounding levee height.

Property owners outside the district’s boundaries are not subject to this specific parcel fee. Slidell residents who are uncertain about their inclusion should review their tax bill or contact the drainage district to confirm whether their property falls within its service area.

Three Diesel Pumps Move Stormwater Into the W-14 Canal

The district’s drainage system uses three diesel-powered pumps to transport collected stormwater from two retention ponds into the W-14 Canal. Two larger pumps are approximately 50 years old, while a smaller unit is approximately 30 years old, according to district information.

Rainwater accumulating along neighborhood streets enters catch basins and passes through underground drainage pipes before reaching the retention ponds. St. Tammany Parish Public Works is responsible for the infrastructure that carries water from streets into the ponds, while Drainage District No. 4 handles pumping operations that move the collected water into the W-14 Canal.

The pumping station also uses computerized monitoring equipment that allows designated personnel to check water levels, pump operating hours and equipment conditions remotely. This system helps operators determine when pumps need to run as rainfall changes water levels throughout the district.

Residents experiencing blocked street drains should understand the division of responsibility between parish drainage facilities and district pumping operations. Keeping catch basins clear of grass clippings, litter and yard waste can help stormwater reach the collection system more efficiently.

Recent Pump Operations and Retention Pond Cleaning Highlight Maintenance Needs

Drainage District No. 4’s September 2, 2026, board meeting minutes provide an update on pumping station performance and maintenance activities. District personnel reported that all three pumps operated without problems during a recent rainfall event that produced approximately five inches of rain.

The same meeting records document repairs to Pump 3 involving air in its fuel system, oil filter replacements on Pumps 1 and 2, and routine levee mowing. These activities illustrate the continuing equipment maintenance required to keep the system operational between significant rainfall events.

The district also reports completing a $156,630 retention pond and outflow canal cleaning project. According to its website, contractors removed more than 1,000 metric tons of accumulated vegetation and debris, including discarded household items and other objects that had entered the waterways.

The project was intended to restore water storage capacity and improve drainage conditions by reducing obstructions in retention areas and the outflow canal. District officials emphasize that continued vegetation management and proper disposal of household debris remain necessary to preserve those improvements.

The Parcel Fee Pays for Equipment, Staffing and Levee Maintenance

Revenue collected through the drainage maintenance fee supports a range of operating expenses beyond the pumps themselves. The approved purposes include fuel, electricity, insurance, equipment purchases, contracted services, professional fees, personnel costs and repairs to the district’s flood protection infrastructure.

Financial statements published through the Louisiana Legislative Auditor show that Drainage District No. 4 recorded $301,980 in maintenance and operations tax revenue during 2024. The report provides a documented example of the funding available to the district under the established tax structure.

The district’s September 2026 meeting minutes reported $303,634 in year-to-date revenue through August, compared with a $300,000 annual revenue budget. Expenditures totaled $225,663 over the same eight-month period against an operating budget of $300,000.

These figures provide residents with a clearer understanding of the district’s financial activity, although revenue collected and money spent at a particular point in the year do not establish the final annual operating surplus or deficit. Residents seeking more detailed information can review district meeting minutes and published financial reports.

A Yes or No Vote Will Determine Whether the Fee Continues Through 2032

The existing drainage maintenance tax remains authorized through 2027. Voters will decide whether the district can renew the same rate for the subsequent five years, with the proposed collection period running from 2028 through 2032.

A majority voting yes would authorize the continuation of the existing fee and its designated flood protection purposes. The district would retain the ability to collect revenue supporting levee upkeep, pumping operations, retention pond maintenance and other expenses identified in the ballot proposition.

A majority voting no would reject the proposed renewal for 2028 through 2032. The current authorization would still remain in effect through 2027, but the district would not have approval for the proposed extension. Officials would need to consider another legally authorized funding arrangement or seek voter approval again to continue the tax beyond its existing term.

The ballot does not establish a replacement source of operating revenue if the renewal fails. That distinction matters because rejecting the proposition would not eliminate the need to maintain pumps, levees and other flood control equipment serving these neighborhoods.

Slidell Voters Can Cast Ballots Early or on November 3

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Louisiana polling locations will be open from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m., giving eligible voters an opportunity to participate in the drainage district renewal decision and other elections appearing on their ballots.

Early voting runs October 20 through October 27, excluding Sunday, October 25. Voting hours are 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. throughout the designated early voting period.

Slidell’s early voting location is the Towers Building at 520 Old Spanish Trail, with voting conducted in the first-floor conference training area. Eligible voters may use this location during the scheduled early voting period instead of waiting until Election Day.

The St. Tammany Parish Registrar of Voters has also announced polling location changes affecting several precincts in 2026. Precinct 814 has moved to St. Tammany Junior High School, while Precinct 818 has moved to Northshore High School. Voters should verify their assigned precinct and polling location before Election Day rather than assuming their previous voting site remains unchanged.

Louisiana residents can confirm registration status, review their sample ballots and find their assigned polling places through the Louisiana Secretary of State’s voter portal at voterportal.sos.la.gov. Only voters eligible to participate in the Drainage District No. 4 election will see that proposition on their ballots.

Why This Matters in Slidell

Slidell’s proximity to Lake Pontchartrain, low-lying terrain and exposure to intense Gulf Coast rainfall make dependable drainage infrastructure an important consideration for affected neighborhoods. Pumping stations, retention ponds and levees serve different functions within the flood protection system, and each requires inspection and maintenance to remain useful.

Residents living within Drainage District No. 4 rely on these facilities to help control accumulated rainfall and reduce the possibility of water entering protected neighborhoods during elevated tidal conditions. The infrastructure is intended to reduce flooding risks, although no drainage or levee system can guarantee protection during every severe weather event.

The proposed renewal also has financial implications for homeowners. Residents must weigh the ongoing cost of the parcel fee against the district’s operating needs, the condition of existing equipment and the importance of maintaining flood protection services over the next five-year term.

District officials have documented maintenance work on aging pumps, continuing levee care and a substantial retention pond cleaning project. These records provide voters with concrete information about how the district operates and the types of expenses supported by maintenance revenue.

The November 3 election ultimately gives eligible Slidell residents a direct decision over whether the existing drainage maintenance fee should continue from 2028 through 2032. Homeowners seeking additional details can contact Drainage District No. 4 at 985-290-9553 or visit its office at 1349 Corporate Square Drive, Suite 2, in Slidell.

 

Sources

• VOTE411: Drainage District No. 4 Proposition and Official Ballot Language
• St. Tammany Parish Drainage District No. 4: Drainage System, Levee Operations, Parcel Fee and Retention Pond Project
• Drainage District No. 4: September 2, 2026 Board Meeting Minutes
• Louisiana Legislative Auditor: Drainage District No. 4 Financial Statements for 2024
• St. Tammany Parish Registrar of Voters: 2026 Election Information, Early Voting and Precinct Changes
• Louisiana Secretary of State: November 3, 2026 Election Dates and Voting Deadlines
• Louisiana Secretary of State: Voter Portal and Polling Place Lookup