Voters in Slidell approved a new sales tax for police on Saturday.
The sales tax, just over one-third of a cent, will replace two existing property taxes that had been dedicated to the police department. The sales tax is expected to bring in around $4.5 million annually, a substantial jump from the $1.3 million the property taxes generated.
The police department will use the additional money to cover raises and a new police headquarters and city jail.
The sales tax highlighted a St. Tammany ballot that included seven other tax propositions.
In making its pitch to voters, the police department told them the sales tax would allow for the elimination of two property taxes paid only by Slidell residents. While the sales tax is inside the city limits, tax supporters said more people would pay it since many people who live outside the city limits shop in stores in the city.
The sales tax passed with 79% of the vote — or 1,811 votes, which is just over 12% of all Slidell voters, complete but unofficial voting returns show.
Voters in St. Tammany and four other parishes approved the renewal of a 3-mill property tax for the Florida Parishes Juvenile Justice District, which operates a secure facility that houses up to 133 youths ages 10-17 who are accused of committing misdemeanor or felony offenses.
The current tax was approved by voters in St. Tammany, Livingston, St. Helena, Tangipahoa and Washington parishes in 2016 and expires in 2025. District officials were asking for a 10-year extension that would raise about $11.76 million annually, starting in 2026.
The juvenile justice district renewal passed with 68% of the vote, returns show.
Here's how the other propositions on St. Tammany's ballot fared:
- A 20-year, 6.05-mill property tax for St. Tammany Parish Recreation District No. 1 (Pelican Park in the Mandeville area) passed with 65% of the vote. Officials said that tax would raise an estimated $4.68 million annually and begin the phase out of a 3-mill tax passed in 2007 and a 3.5-mill tax approved by voters in 2014.
- A 20-year, $7.635 million bond issue for Recreation District 14 (Coquille Parks and Recreation District) in the Madisonville area passed with 63% of the vote. The bond would be paid via property taxes collected in the district with an interest rate not to exceed 7%.
- A 10-year, 4-mill property tax for St. Tammany Parish Recreation District No. 2 in the Bush area passed with 64% of the vote. That tax would bring in approximately $100,000 annually for the district.
- The 10-year renewal of a 10.12-mill tax for St. Tammany Fire Protection District No. 6 in the Lee Road area passed with 76% of the vote. Voters also approved the renewal of a separate 10-year, 10-mill tax that would start in 2028.
- Voters in the Folsom area approved the renewal for 10 years of a 10-mill tax for St. Tammany Fire Protection District No. 5.
Andrew Canulette contributed reporting for this story.