LAPLACE — Voters approved a request from St. John the Baptist Parish Government to rededicate more than $400,000 in yearly tax revenue to improve the scope of local judicial juvenile services.

The effort had been championed by Parish President Natalie Robottom and St. John’s three 40th Judicial District Court judges, among others.

Voters agreed, passing the measure Saturday by a 5,042 to 4,087 margin. According to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s office, the total votes cast represent 30.2 percent voter turnout.

The tax revenue comes from a dedicated 1-mill property tax and was previously earmarked for juvenile detention center purposes. St. John Parish Government can now use the funds to improve juvenile housing facilities, improve juvenile detaining efforts, funding for juvenile justice personnel and costs associated with preventative measures.

Prior to the election, Parish Chief Financial Officer Ross B. Gonzales said the old tax structure severely restricts how those funds can be used, adding St. John voters previously approved the millage to run through 2029.