By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – In addition to going to the polls to elect a lieutenant governor, senator, representative and school board member for District 8, residents of St. John the Baptist Parish will also vote on a proposition to rededicate an existing 1 percent sales tax for use in the parish’s water department.

According to parish leaders, the tax was originally approved in 1985 to pay for sewer system expansions.

In 2002, voters agreed to allow the parish to use the money in the public works department. The tax would generate about $8.65 million in 2011, according to parish records.

St. John Chief Administrative Officer Marie Brown-Mercadel said the parish used the tax last year for ditch digging projects, sewer system improvements and other debts in the parish.

She added that if the proposition is approved, the money would be put toward helping the parish operate the reverse osmosis water treatment system, which is providing better quality water to parts of the east bank.

“The new system requires more electricity and is more expensive to run than the old system.” Mercadel said. “If the tax is put toward public utilities it will allow us more flexibility.”

“This is not a new tax, only a rededication of an existing tax collection,” said Parish President Natalie Robottom. “I am asking all residents to support this measure by voting ‘yes’ at the polls Tuesday.”