LAPLACE — St. John the Baptist Parish voters agreed to take on a new property tax Saturday, voting two to one in favor of supporting a measure dedicated to increasing flood/hurricane protection.

With 3,019 votes of yes (63 percent) compared to 1,788 against (37 percent), voters approved a new 7-mill property tax initiative to fund the local share of a storm protection system designed to stop storm surge from getting into people’s homes, according to Ricky Boyett, chief of public affairs for the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

Should the effort receive federal funding, St. John the Baptist Parish Government’s cost-share would be $50 million, with annual maintenance costs of $5 million.

The gigantic project crossed a major hurdle in 2016 when then-President Barack Obama officially signed the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act into law. It includes the Westshore Lake Pontchartrain Hurricane Risk Reduction Project that aims to create levee protections for St. John the Baptist, St. Charles and St. James parishes.

Congress still must create a spending vehicle to fund the majority portion of the massive project.

St. John Parish officials’ pitch to local voters is the 7-mill property tax would generate the local financial match through a 30-year, dedicated source.

Should federal leaders fail to deliver the funds necessary for the project, local leaders said the tax money would be used to create enhanced locally sourced flood protection.

Parish President Natalie Robottom said homeowners would see their annual taxes increase by approximately $17 for homes valued at $100,000 to $650 for homes valued at $1 million. Residents with homes valued under $75,000 will pay nothing, seniors over 65 whose taxes are frozen will see no increase and veterans who are 100 percent disabled receive a double Homestead Exemption, Robottom said.

Parish Council

The long and winding path to a permanent District 7 Parish Council representative came to an end Saturday through voters selection of Thomas Malik over Steven Fraker.

Malik captured 595 (67 percent) to Fraker’s 294 votes (33 percent).

Each was vying for the seat left open when Buddy Boe resigned a year ago to serve on Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser’s staff.

Local businesswoman Raj Pannu, appointed by the Parish Council, served in the interim.