MORGANZA – Voters in the Morganza area of Pointe Coupee Parish chose not to approve a special tax of 15 mills for fire protection.

Fire Protection District No. 2 is in the process of taking on additional responsibilities from District No. 1, which has seen its response times suffer amid a shortage of firefighters and responders.

The tax considered Saturday would have raise about $297,500 a year and be in effect until 2034. For a home valued at $100,000, the tax would've been $150 a year.

The vote failed 55% to 45%, with 112 no votes and 91 yes votes.