Ascension Parish government ended 2025 in stronger financial shape than it was in a year earlier, according to its latest annual audit.
The parish’s governmental tax revenues totaled about $149.5 million in 2025, up from $134.5 million a year earlier. Property tax revenue increased from $50.3 million to $58.5 million, while sales tax revenue rose from $82.8 million to $89.5 million.
Governmental fund balances also climbed, rising from $313 million at the end of 2024 to $350.7 million at the end of 2025. The parish’s total net position, meanwhile, rose from $684.9 million to $756.9 million.
Auditors issued an unmodified opinion on Ascension Parish’s financial statements, meaning they found the statements fairly presented in all material respects. But they also identified two material weaknesses:
Overpayments
Auditors found that Ascension Parish Fire District No. 3 paid approximately $206,000 in excess compensation to seven employees between August 2006 and December 2025. The overpayments stemmed from payroll errors, including incorrect pay rates, and auditors said inadequate controls failed to ensure rates were properly reviewed before being submitted to parish human resources. Auditors said the overpayments could constitute noncompliance with the Louisiana Constitution.
FEMA
Auditors also found inadequate controls over reimbursement requests submitted under FEMA’s Public Assistance program. Of 41 reimbursement requests tested, 29 contained exceptions, including missing documentation of supervisory review or insufficient support for costs. Auditors identified misclassified overtime and equipment charges and estimated $61,700 in questioned costs.
Ascension Parish government had not responded to a request for comment on the overpayment issue before this morning’s publication deadline, but in its response to auditors, it said the Fire District No. 3 board has hired an outside CPA and is consulting legal counsel on recovering the overpayments. It also said it is strengthening FEMA review procedures.
