LIVINGSTON PARISH - Voters in two areas of Livingston Parish rejected propositions on their November 18th ballots that would have funded their gravity drainage districts for the first time.

Voters were clear in their opposition Saturday on the two tax proposals that would have solely focused on funding Gravity Drainage Districts in District #6 and #7.

“I'm not surprised by the vote,” Parish President Layton Ricks said. “I knew it was an uphill battle for them to pass it."

Now, after a roughly 60 percent opposition, clogged ditches, blocked drainage canals, and culverts won’t have the dedicated funding the Livingston Parish Council had hoped for.

“We have gravity drainage districts in the Walker, Live Oak and Denham area, and they do a tremendous job. I was hoping that people would realize that, and pass them, but again, I knew it was an uphill battle,” Ricks said.

The Parish President believes the opposition, may have something to do with voter’s views on taxes in general.

“There’s so much apathy towards taxes and tax renewals right now across the country, and we're no different,” Ricks said.

An incredibly low voter turnout did nothing to help the proposition. Although funding these districts seems like a 'no-brainer' after the August 2016 flood, it didn’t show in the votes.

“If ever it was going to pass, I thought this was a time to give it a shot because of the devastation of the flood," Ricks said. "So, I don't know what else could have been said to have swayed voters to have supported it.” 

The council hopes to put these proposals back on a ballot next year.