Low turnout expected for Saturday election

St. Mary residents are being asked to vote Saturday on issues that local officials say are vital to government functions such as flood control, road maintenance, school operations and mosquito abatement.
But most voters probably won’t. Registrar of Voters Jolene Holcombe predicted a voter turnout of less than 20 percent. Only 608 of St. Mary’s 32,633 registered voters took advantage of early voting, either through the mail or in person.
Among the key issues to emerge has been a proposal to allow a newly created road district, which covers the entire parish except for Morgan City, to use bonds to borrow $6.5 million. The bonds would be repaid by rededicating an unneeded portion of the current library property tax — an estimated .92 mills — to the road district. The overall tax level wouldn’t change, but the rededication must be approved by voters.
Proponents say the money is needed to keep roads in good shape. Opponents say that if the library tax is no longer needed, it should be repealed.
Morgan City voters won’t see this proposal because they’re in neither the library district nor the road district.
Consolidated Gravity District No. 2 does focus on Morgan City, and officials there say they need to continue the 2.5-mill property tax to pay for operations. The district pays for the night and weekend operation of a system of pump stations that protect Morgan City from high water. The city government pays for the pumping during business hours.
The district also has plans to leverage grants and other funding into a new levy along Lake Palourde.
The St. Mary Parish school system is asking voters to continue a property tax of 11.75 mills to 12.17 mills, depending on which of three districts voters live in. School officials say the money is used to maintain schools.
Also on the ballot:
—Continuation of a 15-mill property tax for Law Enforcement Sub-District No. 1.
—Continuation of a 7.19-mill property tax for Mosquito Control District No. 1.
—Continuation of a 4.60-mill property tax for Waterworks District No. 5.
—Renewal of a 4-mill property tax for Ward 4 Fire Protection District No. 2.
—Continuation of a 6.44-mill property tax for Sewerage District No. 8.
Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters should bring a photo ID.