St. James Parish President Pete Dufresne told voters they had a choice in the trash tax election last week.
Option one: Vote for a property tax increase, but ultimately save money by eliminating monthly trash user fees. Option two: Vote no, and face a significant fee increase and reduced services in the coming months.
On Saturday, voters spoke loudly, killing the tax plan 2 to 1.
This week, Dufresne said the parish is trying to figure out what to do next.
"We are currently working out a plan for the future of solid waste and funding garbage collection in St. James Parish,” he said in a statement.
Pete Dufresne, St. James Parish president
With 25.4% turnout, voters rejected the 10-year tax 66% to 34%.
"No" votes were 2,538 to 1,297 "yes" votes, according to complete but unofficial returns.
The proposal would have increased property taxes by 6 mills, meaning $6 for every $1,000 of assessed property value.
Had the tax increase passed, the majority, 4 mills, would have been dedicated to solid waste collection and related services. The remaining 2 mills would have supported roads, bridges, animal control and recreation.
The full 10-year tax would have generated $4.1 million annually, with about $2.7 million for trash service, which would have fully covered the cost of the parish and municipal contract with provider Waste Management.
Dufresne blamed the shortfall that prompted the tax proposal on reduced sales tax revenue following the closure of the Shell Oil refinery in Convent in 2020 and 2021.
Critics of the plan argued the parish trash funds' financial problems were more related to overspending than the dip in sales tax revenue. They also argued revenues were starting to rebound a bit.
Laddie Roussel, a critic of the plan, said he was "pleased with the larger than expected voter turnout" for a special election and "the overwhelming rejection of proposed tax increase."
Turnout in elections in parishes near St. James were 12% or less.
"Hopefully, the message to our council is to focus on costs, which are being paid by us, the taxpayers, and tailor the garbage service fee based on usage," he said.