LAPLACE — Early voting doesn’t begin until Saturday, but St. John the Baptist Parish Government already picked up a big vote of confidence this week from the River Region Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber’s Public Policy Committee announced its support of the proposed 7-mill property tax to fund the parish’s portion for constructing a hurricane protection levee.

The levee tax proposal will be voted on April 29; however, early voting begins Saturday and concludes April 22.

A statement from the Chamber said it supports the initiatives made by local governments to act responsibly to ensure business sustainability and a high quality of life for its residents as they use efficient operations to make proactive progress.

“This hurricane protection levee needs to be erected as soon as possible,” said Henry Friloux, public policy chair for the Chamber.

“After more than 40 years in the study phase, the West Shore Lake Pontchartrain Hurricane Risk Reduction Project received Congressional authorization to move forward in December of 2016.”

The levee, which would extend from the Bonnet Carre Spillway to the Hope Canal in Garyville, will provide protection for homes, businesses and industry on the East Bank of St. John Parish.

This election will address taxation for a period of 30 years and will include paying any costs associated with construction, acquiring, maintaining, operating, extending and improving levees, facilities and structures associated with outer flood protection systems within the parish.

The St. John the Baptist Council proposal states the additional 7 mills will cost St. John property owners $1.50 to $13.12 more per month for homes valued from $100,000 to $300,000 and $18.95 to $53.95 per month for homes valued from $400,000 to $1,000,000.

The projected cost is $718 million, which includes earthen levees, flood walls and pump stations. St. John’s cost-share is $50 million, with annual maintenance costs of $5 million.

Early voting runs from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday through April 22 (except for Sunday) at the Registrar of Voters offices in the Percy Hebert Building in LaPlace and Edgard Courthouse.

Election Day polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 29 parishwide.