By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – As she watched election results roll in on her television screen Tuesday night, Parish President Natalie Robottom said she was “very excited” to see the passage of the parish’s sales tax rededication proposition.

Voters in the parish approved the proposition, which rededicates sales tax revenues normally used for sewerage and drainage to the parish’s water department, by a vote of 65 percent to 35 percent. A breakdown from the Secretary of State shows that 7,060 residents voted yes, while 3,816 residents voted against the measure. The proposition had a voter turnout of 36.9 percent.

“There was always a concern about getting the message out to the people and sending them the right information about the proposition,” Robottom said. “I think those efforts were pretty successful, and we are pleased with the results.”

Robottom said the overwhelming margin of acceptance of the proposition shows there is a strong level of trust between her administration and the residents.

“I think it shows they buy into what we are doing for the parish,” Robottom said.

Robottom said the tax, expected to generate about $8.65 million in 2011, will allow the parish more flexibility in the water department. She said the money would be put toward operating the parish’s reverse osmosis water treatment facility in LaPlace.

“The system requires more electricity and has more expenses than in the past,” Robottom said. “The system is operating well, but we need to look ahead in anticipation of what the future could bring. When you are responsible for providing services to the parish, you are responsible for making sure they are maintained, and this will help us do that.”